Trump just officially created US Space Command

• President Donald Trump signed a one-page memo Tuesday creating the military's 11th combatant command — US Space Command.

• The order establishing US Space Command is separate from the president's plans for an independent armed service branch known as Space Force, although it is considered a step in that direction.

• This development comes amid concerns about China and Russian activities in space, potential threats to US interests.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has launched the Pentagon's new Space Command. It's an effort to better organize and advance the military's vast operations in space that could cost as much as $800 million over the next five years.

Trump signed the one-page memorandum Tuesday authorizing the Department of Defense to create the new command.

The goal is to set up a command to oversee and organize space operations, accelerate technical advances and find more effective ways to defend U.S. assets in space, including the vast constellations of satellites that American forces rely on for navigation, communications and surveillance.

The move comes amid growing concerns that China and Russia are working on ways to disrupt, disable or even destroy U.S. satellites.

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