Speaking at the Pentagon, Mr Pence said he hoped to secure the new service by 2020.
The 59-year-old US Vice President claimed a space force was required to ensure America’s “dominance” in space, amid growing antagonism and threats from China and Russia.
He said: “The United States Space Force will strengthen our security and ensure our prosperity, and it will also carry American ideals into the boundless expanse of space.
“All other nations increasingly possess the capabilities to operate in space – not all of them share our commitment to freedom, private property and the rule of law.”
The Vice President argued the purpose of the US Space Force was to carry “America’s commitment to freedom into this new frontier”.
His comments were met by enthusiastic applause from the onlooking crowd.
Mr Pence offered while space was once a peaceful and uncharted territory, it was now crowded and adversarial.
Tweeting, he said: “The next generation of Americans to confront the emerging threats in the boundless expanse of space will be wearing the uniform of the United States of America.”
He revealed in his speech the new space arm of the military would not be built entirely from scratch, but derive from pre-existing facets.
He said: “The Space Force will not be built from scratch.
“This is a critical step towards establishing the Space Force as the sixth branch of our armed forces.”
Meanwhile President Donald Trump has called for a “separate but equal” space force.
And Defence Secretary James Mattis has said he “absolutely” backed the plans.
Responding to a Pool reporter, he said: “We need to address space as a war fighting domain and a combatant command is certainly one thing that we can establish.
“This is a process we’re in. We are in complete alignment with the President’s concern about protecting our assets in space to contribute to our security.”
Despite his endorsement, the Defence Secretary has previously opposed launching an expensive new service.
In a letter to the House and Senate armed services committees, he said: “I oppose the creation of a new military service and additional organisational layers at a time when we are focused on reducing overhead and integrating joint war-fighting efforts.”
At the time, Mr Trump stated he wanted a “separate but equal” service to the Air Force.
Backing his Vice President yesterday, Mr Trump tweeted: “Space Force all the way!”
Any proposal to create a US Space Force would require congressional support.
What is the new US Space Force?
- It is not currently clear the precise nature of the service – but it is thought to comprise a military force with fighting capabilities in space.
- Donald Trump has tasked the US Department of Defence and The Pentagon with the creation of a new force to uphold “American dominance” in space.
- Alongside the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, it will comprise the sixth arm of the US armed forces.