Space Command announced Friday that it has reached full operational capability, a milestone that played a major role in the political debate over keeping the command in Colorado Springs. 

Space Command head Gen. James Dickinson said the announcement is based on an in-depth evaluation of the command’s capabilities, including “our worst day, when we are needed the most,” he said, in a news release. 

The evaluation also determined whether the command has personnel with the right skills, the correct infrastructure and the right command processes and functions. It also judged whether the command can accomplish its command plan in addition to completing exercises and responding to crisis, among other factors. 

“Since its establishment in 2019, USSPACECOM has been singularly focused on delivering exquisite capability to the joint force to deter conflict, defend our vital interests, and, if necessary, defeat aggression,” Dickinson said, in the release. “Thanks to the disciplined initiative of our people and the support of our joint, combined and partnered team, I can confidently say we have reached full operational capability.”

The command is separate from the Space Force and provides combatant commanders with support such as weather monitoring; space control; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; position, navigation and timing; satellite communications; and missile warning, the release said.

The command is focused on the area 62 miles above the Earth, above the realm of spy balloons, but in an area beset with space junk and a rapidly growing number of satellites, particularly from political rivals such as China. The command supports 680 organizations flying 7,500 satellites, Dickinson said in written testimony to Congress.

The command operates a 24/7 operations center that tracks and reports major space incidents. For example, the center tracked Russia’s direct-ascent anti-satellite missile test in November 2021 that generated more than 1,500 pieces of orbital debris.

Space Command has been at the center of a major political battle after President Donald Trump announced at the end of his presidency he would move it to Huntsville, Ala. Colorado lawmakers fought hard to keep it in Colorado Springs, in part because of the defense contractors it supports. 

The Air Force announced in August the command would stay at Peterson Space Force Base following a decision by President Joe Biden.  The ability to reach full operational capability faster in Colorado Springs was a factor throughout the debate.

Colorado lawmakers argued a move could slow the process and celebrated the announcement. 

“Our entire state fought to keep Space Command in Colorado so we could achieve full operating capability as quickly as humanly possible! The dedication of the service members and civilians at USSPACECOM made it happen and our country and the world will be safer for it, ” Sen. John Hickenlooper said in a statement. 

Sen. Michael Bennet noted in the war in Ukraine and China’s saber-rattling worldwide, America’s leadership in space is critical.

U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado Springs, also lauded the announcement. 

“This achievement continues to show that Colorado Springs is the right location for USSPACECOM for our nation’s readiness,” Lamborn said in a statement. 

Mayor Yemi Mobolade, El Paso County Commissioner Stan VanderWerf and the President and CEO of the Colorado Springs Chamber Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer all also celebrated the announcement in statements Friday. 

Since the August announcement, defense companies such as Boecore and Infinity Systems Engineering have announced major expansion plans. 

“Our strong and resilient aerospace and defense industry and cutting-edge technology create a natural habitat for military installations and defense companies to thrive and protect against foreign adversaries,”  Kleymeyer said. 

Still, Alabama lawmakers have vowed to fight on, including House Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers, a key player in military spending decisions.

The recently approved National Defense Authorization Act blocks any spending on a permanent Space Command headquarters pending a review of the decision to keep the command in Colorado Springs. 

The inspectors general of the Department of Defense and the Government Accountability Office are both scheduled to complete reviews of the decision by June 2024. 

The Air Force has completed an environmental review for a new 464,000-square-foot headquarters building for the command. But it is not slated to receive any money in the next fiscal year.

Space Command is housed in buildings that are 30 years old on Peterson and in off-base buildings that have been leased, Dickinson said in congressional testimony. The buildings have had power, communication and technology upgrades.