Sewell applauds decision to make Huntsville, Alabama the permanent home for U.S. Space Command Headquarters

September 2, 2025 - WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a landmark decision, Huntsville, Alabama has been selected as the permanent headquarters for the U.S. Space Command, solidifying the city's reputation as a pivotal center for America's space and missile defense.

U.S. Representative Terri Sewell (AL-07) joined the Alabama delegation in celebrating the final decision, stating, "Huntsville, Alabama is unequivocally the best place for Space Command. The Rocket City and the entire State of Alabama are thrilled to continue playing a central role in advancing the United States' dominance in the frontier of space."

Rep. Sewell emphasized her long-standing advocacy for bringing Space Command to Huntsville, highlighting that both Democratic and Republican leaders from the state worked together to underscore the city's merits. "I have been an outspoken proponent for bringing Space Command to its rightful home in Alabama, and I have repeatedly joined my colleagues in the Alabama delegation-under both Democratic and Republican administrations-to make clear that Huntsville is the best location based on the merits," Sewell continued.

Huntsville's legacy as the birthplace of the Saturn V rockets, which enabled the Apollo moon missions, remains a point of pride for the region. The city continues to serve as a hub for the nation's space and missile defense programs, with the Marshall Space Flight Center leading pioneering efforts in human space exploration and the development of state-of-the-art space technology.

In addition, Redstone Arsenal, located in Huntsville, houses several mission-critical military organizations, including the Missile Defense Agency, Space and Missile Defense Command, and Aviation and Missile Command.

The journey to this decision began in January 2021, when, following a comprehensive assessment of eligible locations, the U.S. Air Force identified Huntsville as the prime candidate for Space Command's permanent headquarters. This process was later reviewed by the Department of Defense Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office, both of which confirmed the selection was reasonable and compliant with federal law.

Comments from Former President Donald Trump

During his administration, then-President Donald Trump announced the reestablishment of U.S. Space Command as a unified combatant command, underscoring its critical importance to national defense. Regarding the location decision, President Trump said in 2021 that the selection of Huntsville "was made after a careful and extensive review of all options," and he praised Alabama for its "historic contributions to America's space program."

Trump further remarked, "Huntsville has always been a city of vision and innovation, and it will serve our nation well as Space Command's home base." His administration's support was instrumental in initiating the process that ultimately led to this outcome.

Looking Forward

The move is expected to bring new jobs, investment, and prestige to Huntsville, reinforcing its nickname as "The Rocket City." Both local and national leaders anticipate that the city will continue to play a central role in shaping the future of U.S. space policy and defense.