1st Space Control Squadron
Encyclopedia
The United States Air Force
's 1st Space Control Squadron (1 SPCS) was a space situational awareness unit located at Cheyenne Mountain AFS, Colorado
and later moved to Vandenberg AFB, California
. 1 SPCS commanded the United States
Space Surveillance Network to detect, track, identify and catalog positional data for all man-made objects in Earth orbit.
The 1 SPCS tracked and compiled positional data on thousands of man-made objects in space partly to prevent collisions between newly launched satellites and other objects already orbiting the earth. Additionally, the unit had the mission to task 30 space sensors within Space Surveillance Network to track satellites for US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) to maintain an accurate satellite catalog (SATCAT) of over 9000 object orbiting the earth., To support manned space flight, 1 SPCS constructs a theoretical box around the space shuttle, MIR or ISS, and projects flight path intersections for 36 to 72 hours. If any objects intersects the theoretical box, the unit forwarded the analysis to NASA
, allowing them to determine whether to change the spacecraft/space station's flight path. Based on 1 SPCS mission analysis, and its predecessor units, NASA has moved the space shuttle 12 times and the International Space Station five times since 1981. In June 1995, the unit tracked the U.S. Space Shuttle Atlantis during its historic rendezvous with the Russian space station Mir. The unit also compiled a catalog of space objects.
The 1 SPCS also contained international personnel, such as Canadian military, since SSA was not just a U.S. problem.
The roots of the 1 SPCS reach back to 1961, with the Space Detection and Tracking System Center at Ent Air Force Base
, CO. Through several moves, name changes, personnel, experience, and equipment, they were activated as the 1st Command and Control Squadron activated at Cheyenne Mountain AFS, CO, in December 1989, and were later redesignated in October 2001, as the 1 SPCS. Though the unit moved to Vandenberg AFB, California
in 2007 to better coordinate activities with the Joint Space Operations Center
(JSPoC
), it lost over 150 years of expert civilian experience.,
/ Joint Space Operations Center
.
Unconfirmed sources state that Cheyenne Mountain AFS may retain some capability to cover the 1 SPCS mission, if required.
File:1 SPCS inactiviation.jpg|The 1 SPCS guidon is furled during the inactivation ceremony, 9 Jun 2008
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
's 1st Space Control Squadron (1 SPCS) was a space situational awareness unit located at Cheyenne Mountain AFS, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
and later moved to Vandenberg AFB, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. 1 SPCS commanded the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Space Surveillance Network to detect, track, identify and catalog positional data for all man-made objects in Earth orbit.
Mission
"Building space situational awareness is not the science of becoming omniscient about space but the art of understanding what's relevant for command and control of space forces." Lt Col Chance Saltzman, former 1 SPCS CommanderThe 1 SPCS tracked and compiled positional data on thousands of man-made objects in space partly to prevent collisions between newly launched satellites and other objects already orbiting the earth. Additionally, the unit had the mission to task 30 space sensors within Space Surveillance Network to track satellites for US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) to maintain an accurate satellite catalog (SATCAT) of over 9000 object orbiting the earth., To support manned space flight, 1 SPCS constructs a theoretical box around the space shuttle, MIR or ISS, and projects flight path intersections for 36 to 72 hours. If any objects intersects the theoretical box, the unit forwarded the analysis to NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
, allowing them to determine whether to change the spacecraft/space station's flight path. Based on 1 SPCS mission analysis, and its predecessor units, NASA has moved the space shuttle 12 times and the International Space Station five times since 1981. In June 1995, the unit tracked the U.S. Space Shuttle Atlantis during its historic rendezvous with the Russian space station Mir. The unit also compiled a catalog of space objects.
The 1 SPCS also contained international personnel, such as Canadian military, since SSA was not just a U.S. problem.
History
The 1st Command and Control Squadron provided collision avoidance support during each shuttle mission as well as maintaining an extensive satellite catalog (the "SATCAT" or "Box score"). This catalog is used by U.S. civilian and military agencies when launching new satellites into space, as well as by U.S. allies.The roots of the 1 SPCS reach back to 1961, with the Space Detection and Tracking System Center at Ent Air Force Base
Ent Air Force Base
Ent Air Force Base was a United States Air Force facility opened in 1951 on the site of a closed sanatorium in conjunction with the move of the United States Air Force's Air Defense Command, later Aerospace Defense Command , to Colorado Springs, Colorado...
, CO. Through several moves, name changes, personnel, experience, and equipment, they were activated as the 1st Command and Control Squadron activated at Cheyenne Mountain AFS, CO, in December 1989, and were later redesignated in October 2001, as the 1 SPCS. Though the unit moved to Vandenberg AFB, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 2007 to better coordinate activities with the Joint Space Operations Center
Joint Space Operations Center
Joint Space Operations Center is a command and control weapon system focused on planning and executing US Strategic Command's Joint Functional Component Command for Space mission...
(JSPoC
Joint Space Operations Center
Joint Space Operations Center is a command and control weapon system focused on planning and executing US Strategic Command's Joint Functional Component Command for Space mission...
), it lost over 150 years of expert civilian experience.,
Deactivation
The unit was inactivated on 9 Jun 2008, and its mission and members integrated into the 614th Air and Space Operations Center614th Air and Space Operations Center
The 614th Air and Space Operations Center is a subordinate unit of the Fourteenth Air Force / The 614th Air and Space Operations Center (614 AOC) is a subordinate unit of the Fourteenth Air Force / The 614th Air and Space Operations Center (614 AOC) is a subordinate unit of the Fourteenth Air...
/ Joint Space Operations Center
Joint Space Operations Center
Joint Space Operations Center is a command and control weapon system focused on planning and executing US Strategic Command's Joint Functional Component Command for Space mission...
.
Unconfirmed sources state that Cheyenne Mountain AFS may retain some capability to cover the 1 SPCS mission, if required.
Previous designations
- 1st Space Control Squadron (1 October 2001-9 June 2008),
- 1st Command & Control Squadron (30 November 1989-1 October 2001)
- Space Detection and Tracking System Center (1961 - ???)
Bases stationed
- Vandenberg AFB, CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
(2007-9 June 2008) - Peterson AFB, ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
(2007-9 June 2008) - Cheyenne Mountain AFS, ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
(1 December 1989-SepSepSep or SEP may refer to:*September, a month*SEP *SEP IRA, a type of retirement account*Sęp, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, a village in Poland*Septentrional or Sep., the North direction or zone*Sepultura, heavy metal band...
2007) - Ent Air Force BaseEnt Air Force BaseEnt Air Force Base was a United States Air Force facility opened in 1951 on the site of a closed sanatorium in conjunction with the move of the United States Air Force's Air Defense Command, later Aerospace Defense Command , to Colorado Springs, Colorado...
, ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
(1961-unknown)
Commanders
- Lt Col Alan H. Payne (1990–1991)
- Lt Col Joseph Wysocki (1991–1993)
- Lt Col John M. Rabins (1993–1994)
- Lt Col Michael A. Muolo (1994–1996)
- Lt Col Joseph G. Baillargeon (1996–1998)
- Lt Col David A. Strand (14 Aug 1998-2000)
- Lt Col Craigen B. Anderson (2000-???)
- Lt. Col. Scott F. Shepherd (2002–2004)
- Lt Col Michael Mason (circa 2007),
- Lt Col Chance Saltzman (???-2009)
Decorations
- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
- 1 Jan 2000-31 Aug 2001
- 1 Jan 1999-31 Dec 1999
- 1 Oct 1997-30 Sep 1999
- 1 Jan 1998-31 Dec 1998
- 1 Oct 1995-30 Sep 1997
- 1 Dec 1989-31 Aug 1991
Photo gallery
File:1 SPCS inactiviation.jpg|The 1 SPCS guidon is furled during the inactivation ceremony, 9 Jun 2008
See also
- Space Surveillance Network
- Midcourse Space ExperimentMidcourse Space ExperimentThe Midcourse Space Experiment is a Ballistic Missile Defense Organization satellite experiment to map bright infrared sources in space...
- Satellite Catalog
- Air Force Space CommandAir Force Space CommandAir Force Space Command is a major command of the United States Department of the Air Force, with its headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. AFSPC supports U.S. military operations worldwide through the use of many different types of satellite, launch and cyber operations....
- 14th Air Force