I have noticed that the idea of the space service branch, Space Force is unclear to a lot of people. So, I began to research about Space Force to know how it differs from the popular NASA.
So, how is Space Force Different from NASA? Space Force and NASA share a common domain and operate in the same environment. But Space Force is a military branch focused on defending the United States’ interests and preserving space, while NASA focuses on space exploration, science, and technology.
Many people often wonder what the Space Force look like and how they operate in space. There are some surprising facts about the Space Force, and we will see them in subsequent sections.
What Space Force does and how it Differ from NASA?
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was founded on July 29, 1958. This civilian agency is responsible for coordinating America’s space operations. The United States is recognized to be a world leader in space exploration, and the International Space Station (ISS) is a great investment for the country. NASA also recruits and trains new astronauts to prepare them for space missions.
Space Force is a military branch that protects the interests of the U.S. in space by conducting space operations. Apart from the United States, some other countries like Russia and China also have space ambitions. This had led to the establishment of the Space Force on December 9, 2019. This military branch is responsible for defending the United States and preserving space.
The Space Force assigned 16,000 airmen from the Air Force Space Command to the new service. It also made the application process open for more personnel to transfer from the Air Force to the Space Force. And they had over 3,100 applicants in just a few weeks of opening up the application process. The Space Force ensures security in times of geopolitical and technological changes. Its aim is to structure the space environment to be peaceful and stable.
This military service branch ensures security in space for both the civil space users and the military. Since a Space Force exists, it means that there is the possibility of using force (using space weapons) in space. Space Force was established due to lots of talks about defending the mining of asteroids, sundry fantasies, and moon bases in the future. One major duty of NASA is to monitor asteroids that could potentially collide with our planet.
In recent times, the world is starting to rely more and more on the sustainability of space operations and the stability of space. Though the Space Force is mainly satellites, people always assume that it will be an armed force. Unarmed satellites undertake communications, targeting, military surveillance, and many other useful functions for fighting a war.
Many talks about the Space Force gives people the idea that space is filled with the military and is a potential warzone. But the majority of people in space are commercial and civilian actors. So the space race is more of a race among civilian commercial rivals than for military rivals. And this is why security, safety, and stability in space are important.
Space Force operations have been carried out against a lot of counter-space activities. These counter-space developments may include anti-satellite tests that produce debris. Such activity is one of great concern for space users and should not be encouraged. People tend to misunderstand the idea of a Space Force due to the fact that the decisions are not taken internally in the United States.
Another reason is that most people express their views on Space Force forcefully. And this had led to confusion among people outside the United States.
What Does Space Force look like?
Initially, the debate about the Space Force was whether or not to establish a new branch. But right now, it is about what such a branch would look like. Since the establishment of the Space Force in 2019, all we have seen is already existing activities being reorganized. And this had led to curiosity about how this Space Force will look like in the future.
The Space Force consists of fields with echelons named deltas field commands, and squadrons. It includes three field commands for specific mission focuses such as Space Systems Command, Space Operations Command, and Space Training and Readiness Command. The Space Force is organized to have a long-lasting impact on how the U.S. responds with agility and speed to threats.
This military space service branch has a structure that supports the Space Strategy and the National Defense Strategy. Everyone would like to see space kept as a peaceful environment for exploration and use to benefit several countries. Since space is an area of human endeavor that can unite all of us, it is very important that we preserve it.
However, more clarity is needed on the United States’ intentions in space and its views and position on military use of space. And this can be achieved by communicating these messages internationally to prevent misconceptions. The Space Force has an organizational structure that allows it to respond in an agile manner to defend the United States’ space capabilities. This is critical to prosperity, security, and scientific achievement.
The U.S. faces potential space-based attacks, and its assets in space are vulnerable targets. Russia and China pose the biggest strategic threat because of how developed they are in testing and deploying counter-space capabilities. They also have an associated military doctrine to employ for conflicts extending to space. Russia and China’s weaponized space aims at reducing how effective the U.S. and allied military are and to challenge U.S. freedom of space operation.
The Space Force has many plans in motion that are yet to be approved. However, equipment for space poses a challenge since technology development in this sector moves rapidly.
How do you join the Space Force?
There are certain steps that you must go through if you want to join the Space Force. These steps include the following:
- It would be best if you got enlisted in the United States Air Force.
In recent times, the USSF has stopped recruiting for Space Force service. So, if you are interested in joining the Space Force, your best option will be to get enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. Once you are in, you can now write a request to be transferred to the United States Space Force. The USSF is structured like a parent service branch to the USAF. You will have to do your homework and contact a U.S. Air Force recruiter on the best method of approach for transferring to the United States Space Force.
- You can transfer to the U.S. Space Force from other military branches.
People who are serving in the U.S. Air Force can transfer to the U.S. Space Force. All enlisted and commissioned active members of the U.S. Air Force can apply to be transferred to the United States Space Force. For people who are not in the U.S. Air Force, there is another path for you too. The application process is also open for enlisted or commissioned active members of the Navy or Army.
So, if you are in the Navy or Army, you can request a transfer to the U.S. Space Force. However, you need to know that current U.S. Air Force members will likely get priority over the other branches.
- You can also find a civilian job.
Another fast way of joining the U.S. State Force is by finding a civilian job. This method is even faster than the active duty member route. In recent times, the U.S. Space Force is searching for qualified civilians that will fill U.S. Space Force postpositions. You can search online for different civilian jobs and submit your application. Search for engineering jobs, program management, training, etc. There are so many opportunities out there to choose from. Once you get a civilian job, you can now apply for the U.S. Space Force.
What Does NASA Do?
NASA has a lot of important space missions, such as monitoring essential aspects of the Earth’s climate system. It is very important that we understand our climate. NASA also monitors asteroids and some other objects that may potentially collide with our planet Earth. This is very important because such collisions can be very catastrophic.
Furthermore, NASA carries out a series of scientific research aimed at deepening our knowledge and understanding of space. For instance, astronauts with scientific backgrounds can go for duties and missions that are related to their former careers. This will allow them to keep publishing scientific journal papers as well as carry out other scientific duties. NASA is also known for developing technologies that are useful for purposes other than space exploration.
They also perform other activities like conducting scientific research on the impacts of space travel on human health. Our environment can affect our health and wellbeing in several ways, and it is important to maintain it. NASA carries out searches for natural resources and raw materials that are useful on Earth. They also search for life and other planets that can support life.
However, NASA’s main mission is to explore the solar system starting from a mission back to the moon. Before going to the moon, astronauts train in three phases: the technical phase, the personal phase, and the group training phase. In the technical phase, astronauts are trained on how to use and fix all space equipment.
During personal training, the astronauts will learn to cope with the challenges associated with the environment on Mars. It is important for astronauts to be able to cope, especially because they will not be able to communicate with family and friends on Earth physically. The group training usually takes place using simulation missions.
And this is when the astronauts undergo a fully immersive exercise to get ready for the mission to Mars. During this training, the environment invokes a lot of the conditions on Mars, as many as possible. Once group selection is complete, the groups will undergo these simulations for some months every year.
How Do NASA Train Astronauts for Space?
Before you can go into space, you will have to complete a lot of training that will prepare you for every aspect of the mission. You will be exposed to g-force in centrifuges and fast-moving maneuvers in jet planes. This will help prep you up for some challenges that you will face when the spaceship launches and during landing procedures.
You will also be trained on in-flight procedures such as drinking, using the bathroom during short periods, eating, etc. NASA has a Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory with big swimming pools where they create long periods of weightlessness. Astronauts kit up in full spacesuits and train with mock-up ISS modules. This is how crews run through their upcoming missions.
The journey to space is not an easy one, and it takes a toll on astronauts both physically and mentally. Imagine accelerating a system of about four million pounds from 0 to 17,500 miles/hour in about eight minutes. It is a rigorous experience for astronauts as they about three times the gravitational force.
Once they get to orbit, the main engines will cut off, and they go from this extremely high g-force acceleration to zero acceleration immediately. At this point, they start experiencing weightlessness. At the orbit, astronauts have to move at a particular speed to remain up there. The International Space Station moves at 17,500 mph around the Earth’s orbit.
The astronauts on the ISS do not feel this motion. They only know that they are moving by looking down and seeing Earth rotating. NASA plays a vital role in the United States’ space exploration, even though some private space organizations are emerging as important players. Private companies like Blue Origin, Space X, Virgin Galactic are also contributing significantly towards space exploration.
Space travel is not an easy one as astronauts are exposed to extreme conditions. While in space, these astronauts cannot access experts to assist them if they encounter any issues. And for this reason, astronauts must be ready to fix any health hazards to save their lives and that of other members of their crew.
They are thoroughly trained on how long-duration spaceflight, launching, and landing affects their body. They also learn how to manage adverse reactions, such as how to adapt psychologically to isolation and physically to weightlessness.
What plans does NASA have for the future?
Many people want the U.S. government to remain at the forefront of space exploration, even with the emergence of different private space companies. NASA currently depends partly on the Dragon spacecraft to deliver supplies to the International Space Station. Space X is a private space company owned by Elon Musk. The Trump administration is making plans to have the space station running commercially by 2024.
However, NASA has an important role to play in the future of the United States space program. NASA has a goal of taking astronauts to Mars in the 2030s as long as its current plan will support it. They recently announced a space station near the moon for training astronauts for deep-space missions. This deep-space gateway will also help get astronauts ready for flying to Mars.
Sending and sustaining astronauts on long-duration space missions is very expensive. Therefore, space experts are suggesting that a more cost-efficient option would be to send robotic probes instead of humans. However, some people think that it is not necessary to include astronauts in space missions. They say it would be best if only robotic probes embark on space missions.
On the other hand, many other people say that space missions should not only include robotic probes. They say that it is better if astronauts also partook in space missions.
Are Private Space Companies Important?
Many people believe that NASA still has a lot to contribute when it comes to space exploration. However, they are also confident that private companies will contribute immensely to the development of safe spacecraft. Private companies can also help in carrying out research to widen scientific knowledge. And this is very important for advancements in science.
Private companies like Elon Musk’s Space X are already blazing the trail in building safe and reliable spacecraft and rockets. NASA partly relies on Elon Musk’s Dragon spacecraft to deliver supplies to the International Space Station. But many people are concerned about whether or not companies will reduce human-made debris in space. This is a major concern because debris can pose a hazard to satellites and space stations.
Furthermore, private space companies can help in lowering the cost of spacecraft by making cost-effective and safe spacecraft. So, private space companies are generally profitable.
Conclusion
Both the Space Force and NASA share a common domain and operate in the same environment. So, it is common for people to misunderstand the idea of a Space Force and how it differs from NASA. The Space Force is a military space service branch that defends the United States’ interests while preserving space. On the other hand, NASA is a space agency that focuses on space exploration, science, and technology.