As Donald Trump’s reelection to the presidency raises new questions about the permanent home of U.S. Space Command, here are six key things to know as it’s determined whether it stays in Colorado Springs at Peterson Space Force Base or moves to Huntsville, Ala. 

What is Space Command headquarters?

Space Command headquarters employs about 1,700 people across the military branches in Colorado Springs who protect and defend assets in space. It is expected to eventually employ 1,870, according to Air Force environmental assessments done for a future permanent headquarters building. 

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 hundreds of organizations flying thousands of satellites, former Space Command Gen. James Dickinson said in written testimony to Congress. 

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Why is the decision important to the community?

Space Command was expected to deliver $1 billion in annual economic impact to the community, according to the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC, in previous Gazette reporting. It helps support an ecosystem of more than 150 aerospace and defense companies. 

What tipped the scales for Colorado Springs last year?

The Associated Press and other outlets reported last year that President Joe Biden was convinced to keep the command in place by Dickinson, who argued at the time that moving his headquarters would jeopardize military readiness. According to officials, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, who ordered his own review of the matter, leaned toward Huntsville. The officials said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin presented both options to Biden.

Numerous other factors might have played a role in Colorado Springs’ favor, including the city’s existing space infrastructure and civilian workforce. There are 100,000 national security professionals employed in Colorado Springs, according to a news release from the office of Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado Springs.  

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How much money could it save?

An analysis by two retired generals in 2021 showed moving the command could cost more than $1.2 billion and take years of work, The Gazette reported previously.

Why is the battle with Alabama?

Before Trump left office in 2021, he declared Space Command would move from Colorado Springs to Huntsville. He said in a radio interview later that he single-handedly made the decision. Huntsville had been in the running for the command. The northern Alabama city is home to the Missile Defense Agency, Marshall Space Flight Center and Redstone Arsenal. 

Colorado Springs in the rankings

Colorado Springs vaulted to No. 3 in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Places to Live rankings for 2024-25 — earning a top spot, in large part, because of its desirability as a city to live.

In the national publication’s annual best places list released in May, Colorado Springs climbed six spots from its No. 9 ranking in 2023-24 and trailed only Naples, Fla., and Boise, Idaho.

Huntsville ranked No. 7.

In its methodology, the publication used data from the Census Bureau, FBI, the federal Department of Labor and its own internal sources, while it also surveyed thousands of people to determine the most important factors to them when they choose a place to live.

Colorado Springs has a population near 500,000 while Huntsville had about 225,000, according the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2023.