1st Space Operations Squadron
Encyclopedia
The United States Air Force
's 1st Space Operations Squadron (1 SOPS) is a space operations unit located at Schriever AFB, Colorado
. The squadron is also responsible for performance launch, on-orbit, emergency, end-of-life testing and disposal operations providing warning, navigation, R&D, surveillance and weather to the president and the Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff and nine combatant commanders worldwide.
(DSP), Midcourse Space Experiment
(MSX) and a NASA
research and development (NASA R&D) program, in low earth to deep space orbits, and is Air Force Space Command
's only multi-mission Satellite Operations Control Center. 1 SOPS is supported by the Air Force Reserves unit, the 7th Space Operations Squadron
.
The squadron operates and maintains 24-hour Air Force Satellite Control Network
command and control capability for Defense Support Program
and Midcourse Space Experiment
constellations. 1st SOPS also operates and maintains a research and development space system providing vital space weather data worldwide.
1st SOPS performs launch and early-orbit operations for GPS and DSP systems including satellite activation, initial checkout and transfer to mission orbit. 1st SOPS plans and executes tracking, telemetry and commanding functions for GPS, DSP, MXS and a NASA R&D satellite to maintain spacecraft state-of-health, sustain on-orbit operations and accomplish mission taskings. They respond to all satellite emergencies, and support end-of-life testing and disposal operations for GPS, DSP and MSX and R&D spacecraft as required.
The squadron maintains DSP spacecraft positional knowledge and distributes data to worldwide users. 1st SOPS also completes 100 percent of MSX and R&D training and evaluation.
The Multi-Mission Space Operations Center (MMSOC) is a revolutionary approach to space operations—an operations center focused on forging a one-of-a-kind operations/acquisition team to demonstrate and field emerging space missions and satellite C2 technologies in a rapid, decisive manner. The MMSOC is structured to operate a variety of satellite missions, including satellite initiatives without a program office, satellite missions of small scale (small constellations), new missions transitioning from concept toward full-scale operations, and all research, development, test and evaluation satellites with operational utility remaining after test and evaluation are complete.
Mission control crew shifts conduct 24-hour operations supporting the three major functions of satellite control; telemetry, tracking and commanding. Orbital analysts and program engineers provide program specific knowledge and support to the crews. The operators perform pre-contact planning, real time contact and post-contact evaluation. The squadron conducts more than 2,000 contacts a month.
The Space Operations Center (SOC) was operationally turned over to AFSPC on Dec. 21, 1989. The SOC increased its mission on Feb. 20, 1990, when the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program
mission was operationally turned over. In May 1996, satellite command authority for the first research and development satellite controlled by AFSPC, Technology for Autonomous Operational Survivability, was given to 1st SOPS.
On Dec. 4, 1998, the squadron assumed command and control capability on the Midcourse Space Experiment, which became an operational program on Oct. 1, 2000, with the first-ever transfer of operations from the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization to AFSPC.
Operated Space Detection and Tracking System Center, tracking and cataloging man-made objects in space, 1961-1976. Satellite command and control for the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System, the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, and the Defense Support Program, 1987-.
[The organizations listed below tracked all satellites, carrier rockets, debris, and space probes, contolling a global network of ground sensors. They did not perform on-orbit command and control of satellites. They were the operational version of research and development Project Space Track. Part of the USAF Air Defense Command at Ent AFB, they were the Spacetrack component of NORAD's Space Detection and Tracking System SPADATS. 1st Aero achieved full operational status in early July 1961. At Vandenberg AFB, the United States Space Surveillance Network
(SPACETRACK), currently performs these satellite tracking functions.]
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 Operations Squadron (1 SOPS) is a space operations unit located at Schriever AFB, 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...
. The squadron is also responsible for performance launch, on-orbit, emergency, end-of-life testing and disposal operations providing warning, navigation, R&D, surveillance and weather to the president and the Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff and nine combatant commanders worldwide.
Mission
1 SOPS conducts command and control (C2) for four distinct constellations: Defense Support ProgramDefense Support Program
The Defense Support Program is a program of the U.S. Air Force that operates the reconnaissance satellites which form the principal component of the Satellite Early Warning System currently used by the United States....
(DSP), Midcourse Space Experiment
Midcourse Space Experiment
The Midcourse Space Experiment is a Ballistic Missile Defense Organization satellite experiment to map bright infrared sources in space...
(MSX) and a 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...
research and development (NASA R&D) program, in low earth to deep space orbits, and is 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....
's only multi-mission Satellite Operations Control Center. 1 SOPS is supported by the Air Force Reserves unit, the 7th Space Operations Squadron
7th Space Operations Squadron
The United States Air Force's 7th Space Operations Squadron is an Air Force Reserve space operations unit located at Schriever AFB, Colorado.-Mission:...
.
The squadron operates and maintains 24-hour Air Force Satellite Control Network
Air Force Satellite Control Network
The Air Force Satellite Control Network provides support for the operation, control, and maintenance of a variety of United States Department of Defense and some non-DoD satellites. This involves continual execution of the tasks involved in Tracking, Telemetry, and Command...
command and control capability for Defense Support Program
Defense Support Program
The Defense Support Program is a program of the U.S. Air Force that operates the reconnaissance satellites which form the principal component of the Satellite Early Warning System currently used by the United States....
and Midcourse Space Experiment
Midcourse Space Experiment
The Midcourse Space Experiment is a Ballistic Missile Defense Organization satellite experiment to map bright infrared sources in space...
constellations. 1st SOPS also operates and maintains a research and development space system providing vital space weather data worldwide.
1st SOPS performs launch and early-orbit operations for GPS and DSP systems including satellite activation, initial checkout and transfer to mission orbit. 1st SOPS plans and executes tracking, telemetry and commanding functions for GPS, DSP, MXS and a NASA R&D satellite to maintain spacecraft state-of-health, sustain on-orbit operations and accomplish mission taskings. They respond to all satellite emergencies, and support end-of-life testing and disposal operations for GPS, DSP and MSX and R&D spacecraft as required.
The squadron maintains DSP spacecraft positional knowledge and distributes data to worldwide users. 1st SOPS also completes 100 percent of MSX and R&D training and evaluation.
The Multi-Mission Space Operations Center (MMSOC) is a revolutionary approach to space operations—an operations center focused on forging a one-of-a-kind operations/acquisition team to demonstrate and field emerging space missions and satellite C2 technologies in a rapid, decisive manner. The MMSOC is structured to operate a variety of satellite missions, including satellite initiatives without a program office, satellite missions of small scale (small constellations), new missions transitioning from concept toward full-scale operations, and all research, development, test and evaluation satellites with operational utility remaining after test and evaluation are complete.
Mission control crew shifts conduct 24-hour operations supporting the three major functions of satellite control; telemetry, tracking and commanding. Orbital analysts and program engineers provide program specific knowledge and support to the crews. The operators perform pre-contact planning, real time contact and post-contact evaluation. The squadron conducts more than 2,000 contacts a month.
History
1 SOPS was originally activated Feb. 14, 1961, as the 1st Aerospace Control Squadron, which was in operation until April 1976. On Oct. 5, 1987, the squadron was reactivated, renamed the 1st Satellite Control Squadron, and began its ever-growing satellite control mission. On Feb. 16, 1988, the squadron began its first commanding on the DSP constellation.The Space Operations Center (SOC) was operationally turned over to AFSPC on Dec. 21, 1989. The SOC increased its mission on Feb. 20, 1990, when the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program
Defense Meteorological Satellite Program
The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program monitors meteorological, oceanographic, and solar-terrestrial physics for the United States Department of Defense. The program is now run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The mission of the satellites was revealed in March 1973...
mission was operationally turned over. In May 1996, satellite command authority for the first research and development satellite controlled by AFSPC, Technology for Autonomous Operational Survivability, was given to 1st SOPS.
On Dec. 4, 1998, the squadron assumed command and control capability on the Midcourse Space Experiment, which became an operational program on Oct. 1, 2000, with the first-ever transfer of operations from the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization to AFSPC.
Operated Space Detection and Tracking System Center, tracking and cataloging man-made objects in space, 1961-1976. Satellite command and control for the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System, the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, and the Defense Support Program, 1987-.
Emblem
On a disc Azure, three bars arched to base Or, superimposed at fess point by a stylized satellite of the like charged with a mullet of the first between in fess two polestars and pointing to chief a flight symbol at honor point all Argent.Previous designations
- 1st Space Operations Squadron (30 Jan 1992–Present)
- 1st Space Control Squadron (25 Sep 1987-30 Jan 1992)
[The organizations listed below tracked all satellites, carrier rockets, debris, and space probes, contolling a global network of ground sensors. They did not perform on-orbit command and control of satellites. They were the operational version of research and development Project Space Track. Part of the USAF Air Defense Command at Ent AFB, they were the Spacetrack component of NORAD's Space Detection and Tracking System SPADATS. 1st Aero achieved full operational status in early July 1961. At Vandenberg AFB, the United States Space Surveillance Network
United States Space Surveillance Network
The United States Space Surveillance Network is a critical part of United States Strategic Command's mission and involves detecting, tracking, cataloging and identifying artificial objects orbiting Earth, i.e. active/inactive satellites, spent rocket bodies, or fragmentation debris...
(SPACETRACK), currently performs these satellite tracking functions.]
- 1st Aerospace Control Squadron (1 Jul 1962-21 Apr 1976)
- 1st Aerospace Surveillance and Control Squadron1st Aerospace Surveillance and Control SquadronThe 1st Aerospace Surveillance and Control Squadron, a unit of the USAF Air Defense Command, was activated on 6 February 1961, organized on 14 February 1961, and became operational on 1 July 1961 as the SPACETRACK component of NORAD . It was the operational version of research and development...
(6 Feb 1961-1 Jul 1962)
Major Command
- 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....
(1987–Present) - Aerospace Defense CommandAerospace Defense CommandAerospace Defense Command is an inactive United States Air Force Major Command. Established in 1946 under the United States Army Air Forces, its mission was to organize and administer the integrated air defense system of the Continental United States , exercise direct control of all active...
(6 Feb 1961-21 Apr 1976)
Numbered Air Force
- 14th Air Force (1992–Present)
- 14th Aerospace Force (1 Jul 1968-21 Apr 1976)
- 9th Aerospace Defense Division (1 Oct 1961-1 Jul 1968)
Bases stationed
- Schriever 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...
(25 Sep 1987–Present) - 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...
(Apr 1966-21 Apr 1976) - Ent 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...
(14 Feb 1961-Apr 1966)
Spacecraft Operated
- Global Positioning SystemGlobal Positioning SystemThe Global Positioning System is a space-based global navigation satellite system that provides location and time information in all weather, anywhere on or near the Earth, where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites...
(GPS) (December 1989-December 2007) - Defense Support ProgramDefense Support ProgramThe Defense Support Program is a program of the U.S. Air Force that operates the reconnaissance satellites which form the principal component of the Satellite Early Warning System currently used by the United States....
(DSPDSP- Computing :* Digital signal processing, the study and implementation of signals in digital computing and their processing methods* Digital signal processor, a specialized microprocessor designed specifically for digital signal processing...
) (February 1988-before 2008) - Defense Meteorological Support Program (DMSPDMSPDMSP may stand for:* Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, a United States Department of Defense satellite system* Dimethylsulfoniopropionate, an important component of the organic sulfur cycle*...
) (December 1989-c 1996) - Technology for Autonomous Operational Survivability (TAOSTaosTaos can meanPlaces*Taos Pueblo, a Native American pueblo, Tua-tah*Taos dialect, a dialect of the Tiwa language*Taos County, New Mexico, United States*Taos, New Mexico, a city, the county seat of Taos County, New Mexico...
); (STEP Mission O) (May 1996-after 1997) - DoD boosters (May 2003-March 2009)
- Space Based Space SurveillanceSpace Based Space SurveillanceThe Space Based Space Surveillance system is a planned constellation of satellites and supporting ground infrastructure that will improve the ability of the United States Department of Defense to detect and track space objects in orbit around the Earth...
(SBSS) (September 2010 - present) - Midcourse Space ExperimentMidcourse Space ExperimentThe Midcourse Space Experiment is a Ballistic Missile Defense Organization satellite experiment to map bright infrared sources in space...
(MSXMSXMSX was the name of a standardized home computer architecture in the 1980s conceived by Kazuhiko Nishi, then Vice-president at Microsoft Japan and Director at ASCII Corporation...
) (October 2000-July 2008) - Minature Sensor Technology Integration - 3 (MSTI-3) 1 SOPS and 3 SOPS members were deployed to Alexandria, VA control center from March - September 1996 on a 50 SW/CC initiative to bring tactical satellite command and control to 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....
. After 1 SOPS and 3 SOPS members completed their deployment, the MSTI-3 command and control continued by SMC/TE (Onizuka AS, CA and Kirtland AFB, NM; now Space Development and Test WingSpace Development and Test WingThe Space Development and Test Wing is a unit of the Space Command of the United States Air Force. The wing is located at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico.-Mission:...
, Kirtland AFB) until the satellite was successfully deorbited on 11 Dec 1997.
Commanders
- Lt Col Robert "Bob" Hooten (Colonel, Ret) (??? - 1994)
- Lt Col Evan "Hoops" Hoapili (Colonel, Ret) (1994-1996)
- Lt Col John "Jack" Anthony (Colonel, Ret) (1996-1998)
- Lt Col Burke E. Wilson (Jul 2002-Jul 2003)
Decorations
- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
- 1 Jun 1961-15 Sep 1963
- 1 Jun 1973- 30 Jun 1974
- 1 Dec 1987-30 Nov 1989
- 1 Sep 1990-31 Aug 1991
- 1 Sep 1993-31 Aug 1995
- 1 Oct 2000-1 Oct 2001
- 1 Oct 2001-1 Oct 2002
- 2 Oct 2002-2 Oct 2003