US Space Force Stands Up Space Systems Command

The U.S. Space Force officially launched the Space Systems Command on Aug. 13 at the Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, California.

SSC, the second of the Space Force’s three field commands, will take on the responsibilities of the Space and Missile Systems Center. With an annual budget of $9 billion and a 6,300 member workforce, the organization will now be in charge of the development of next-generation technologies and the procurement of satellites and launch services, SpaceNews reported.

Lt. Gen. Michael Guetlein, who previously served as deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office, was confirmed by the Senate as the inaugural leader of SSC on July 29. He has prior experience leading strategic and tactical operations and managing a $48 billion space systems portfolio of space-based missile warning and environmental monitoring systems.

During the launch ceremony, Guetlein stressed that the redesignation of SMC to SSC must not simply be a name change.

“In 10 years, warfighting as we know it will have changed drastically and we must be postured and empowered to keep pace with this change,” he said.

Chief of Space Operations Gen. John Raymond, who presided over the ceremony, echoed Guetlein’s statement, saying it is the SSC’s task to sustain and build the nation’s space advantage. 

Raymond challenged the SSC to not let capabilities reach their expiration date and to deliver space capabilities on time. 

Another Space Force organization, called SpaceWERX, is set to be officially launched on Aug. 19. The innovation hub will debut with a Phase I Open Topic Small Business Technology Transfer solicitation for space technologies and a virtual Space Force Pitch Day, where up to $34 million in Small Business Innovation Research funding will be awarded to startups.