10 Ways Star Trek Changed People's Lives
9. US Space Force
Netflix's satirical sitcom has nowhere near the ridiculousness of the real Space Force. Established in 2019 by the Trump administration for less Utopian reasons than Roddenberry's Starfleet, this new branch of the armed services was set up to protect America's interests in space. Their website reads like a parody, claiming that "the Guardians of the USSF have been called to protect and defend American interests and to ensure our forces, our allies, and the world never experience [sic] a day without space."
This branch of the United States Air Force goes even further, by directly invoking Star Trek in their logo. The logo's reveal inspired George Takei to write a passionate essay about how the USSF was the polar-opposite of Starfleet.
Whilst Space Force pointed out that the Delta symbol had long been connected with space, no-one appeared to be buying their detailed defence. The similarities were further emphasised when the Star Trek style uniforms were revealed and they announced the launch of Space Operations Command. Or, SpOC for short.