What legislation established the United States Space Force (USSF)?

The establishment of the United States Space Force (USSF) was formalized by the legislation included in the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This legislation specifically recognized the need for a separate military branch dedicated to organizing, training, and equipping personnel to protect U.S. interests in space. The creation of the Space Force reflects the growing importance of space as a domain for military operations, parallel to land, sea, and air. It also emphasizes the strategic significance of space capabilities in national security.

While earlier National Defense Authorization Acts set the groundwork for discussions about space capabilities and defense, it was the FY20 NDAA that officially established the USSF as the sixth branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, highlighting a shift in national defense strategy to address emerging threats in the space domain.