President Donald Trump on Thursday announced the formal establishment of a Space Command to ensure US military supremacy in outer space.

“It’s a big deal. As the newest combat command, Space Command will defend America’s vital interest in space, the next war-fighting domain. I think that is pretty obvious to everybody. It is all about space,” the president said during during an event in the Rose Garden.

“The dangers to our country constantly evolve, and so must we. Now, those who wish to harm the United States to seek to challenge us, in the ultimate high ground of space. It is going to be a whole different ballgame,” he continued.

The renewed focus on space as a military domain reflects concern about the vulnerability of US satellites, both military and commercial, that are critical to American interests and are potentially susceptible to disruption by Chinese and Russian anti-satellite weapons.

The role of the new Space Command is to conduct space operations such as enabling satellite-based navigation and communications for troops and commanders in the field and providing warning of missile launches abroad.

The move is separate from the president’s goal of launching a “Space Force” as an independent branch of the military, but could be a step in that direction. Congress has inched toward approving the creation of a Space Force despite skepticism from some lawmakers of both parties. The House and Senate bills differ on some points, and an effort to reconcile the two will begin after Congress returns from its August recess.

Air Force Gen. John “Jay” Raymond will serve as the first commander of US Space Command.