20th Space Control Squadron
Encyclopedia
The United States Air Force
's 20th Space Control Squadron is a space control unit located at Eglin AFB, Florida.
and maintain the AN/FPS-85
radar, the Air Force's only phased-array radar dedicated to tracking earth-orbiting objects. The AN/FPS-85
radar can track approximately 90 percent of all manmade objects in earth orbit. The radar can track near-earth objects the size of a softball moving at 300 miles (482.8 km) and deep space objects the size of a basketball moving at 22300 nautical miles (41,299.6 km) above earth. Located at Site C-6 on Eglin, the squadron is a geographically separated unit of the 21st Space Wing
and the only Air Force Space Command
unit on Eglin.
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 20th Space Control Squadron is a space control unit located at Eglin AFB, Florida.
Mission
The mission of the 20th Space Control Squadron is to detect, track, identify, and report near earth and deep space objects in earth's orbit, and provide space object identification data in support of United States Strategic Command's space control mission.History
The personnel of the 20th SPCS operate the Air Force Space Surveillance SystemAir Force Space Surveillance System
The Air Force Space Surveillance System, colloquially known as the Space Fence, is a multistatic radar system that detects orbital objects passing over America...
and maintain the AN/FPS-85
AN/FPS-85
AN/FPS-85 Spacetrack Radar is a very large fixed-array radar located in Florida, developed by Air Force Rome Air Development Center . The unique aspect of this radar is the phased array antenna technology. The beam formed by it extends from 155° to 205° in azimuth and is scanned at 35° elevation...
radar, the Air Force's only phased-array radar dedicated to tracking earth-orbiting objects. The AN/FPS-85
AN/FPS-85
AN/FPS-85 Spacetrack Radar is a very large fixed-array radar located in Florida, developed by Air Force Rome Air Development Center . The unique aspect of this radar is the phased array antenna technology. The beam formed by it extends from 155° to 205° in azimuth and is scanned at 35° elevation...
radar can track approximately 90 percent of all manmade objects in earth orbit. The radar can track near-earth objects the size of a softball moving at 300 miles (482.8 km) and deep space objects the size of a basketball moving at 22300 nautical miles (41,299.6 km) above earth. Located at Site C-6 on Eglin, the squadron is a geographically separated unit of the 21st Space Wing
21st Space Wing
The 21st Space Wing is a unit of the Air Force Space Command based at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. The unit is tasked with the operation of early missile warning and space object detection equipment around the world in support of NORAD and USSTRATCOM through a network of command and control...
and the only Air Force Space Command
Air Force Space Command
Air 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....
unit on Eglin.
Previous designations
- 20th Space Control Squadron (February 2003–Present)
- 20th Space Surveillance Squadron (May 1992-February 2003)
- 20th Surveillance Squadron (May 1987-May 1992)
- 20th Missile Warning Squadron (???? -May 1987)
- 20th Surveillance Squadron (November 1966-????)
Decorations
- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
- 1 Jan 2000-31 Aug 2001
- 1 Jan 1999-31 Dec 1999
- 1 Jan 1998-31 Dec 1998
- 1 Oct 1997-30 Sep 1999
- 1 Oct 1995-30 Sep 1997
- 1 Sep 1991-31 Aug 1993
- 1 Sep 1990-31 Aug 1991
- 1 Sep 1988-31 Aug 1990