Trump Signs Directive in Move to Create a Space Force

U.S. President Donald Trump looks to Vice President Mike Pence as he participates in a signing ceremony of "Space Policy Directive 4," to establish a Space Force as the sixth branch of the Armed Forces, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S., on Feb. 19, 2019. Jim Young/REUTERS

WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump took a step on Feb. 19, needed for lawmakers to begin the lengthy process of creating a U.S. Space Force, a new branch of the military dedicated to handling threats in space.

Trump signed Space Policy Directive 4, which puts in place the foundation for a legislative initiative that could establish a Space Force as a new military service comparable to the U.S. Marines.