The United States maintains an intricate collection of space based systems along with an equally intricate network of ground systems to control them. Just as the development of air power had transformed in organizational structure to become a separate branch of the military, many have advocated for military space systems to follow the same route. This thesis has studied the multiple factors surrounding this argument such as financial issues, tasking authority, acquisition and equipment, and even culture to determine if US space forces should in fact break away from the Air Force, or if it would be better to stay where it is.

Some of these factors studied are completely quantitative in nature, but others are qualitative, making this a mixed methodology thesis. Results of the study indicate that tasking and administrative control relationships would benefit from a re-organization, but when employed, the organization would not matter. Acquisition would greatly benefit from re-organization as space forces would have a higher level of representation for appropriation and a streamlined acquisition process for assets. A culture survey determined that Airmen feel that space operations within the Air Force is distinctly different than the rest of the Air Force and could benefit from a fundamental change in organization. The conclusion of this study found that, although space operations would benefit from a change in organization, it would not be financially reasonable to split space forces from the Air Forces, but actually the merging of forces, administratively with existing institutions would be the most financially beneficial, of which is a top priority for the policy makers of the nation.

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