U.S. Army hands over satellite operations to Space Force, but keeps a foothold in space

The Pentagon approved the transfer last year in an effort to consolidate space programs under the new military branch

WASHINGTON — Satellite ground stations that for decades have been operated by the U.S. Army will be officially handed over to the Space Force on Aug. 15.

The Space Force will take over control of the Wideband Global Satcom and Defense Satellite Communications System constellations of military satellites. The satellites were built and launched by the U.S. Air Force but the Army controlled the payloads.