Air Force Satellite Control Network
Encyclopedia
The Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN) provides support for the operation, control, and maintenance of a variety of United States Department of Defense
and some non-DoD satellite
s. This involves continual execution of the tasks involved in Tracking, Telemetry, and Command (TT&C). In addition, the AFSCN provides prelaunch simulation, launch support, and early orbit support while satellites are in initial or transfer orbits and require maneuvering to their final orbit. The AFSCN provides tracking data to help maintain the catalog of space objects and distributes various data such as satellite ephemeris, almanacs, and other information.
near Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Vandenberg Air Force Base
, California. These centers are manned around the clock and are responsible for the command and control of their assigned satellite systems. The control centers are linked to remote tracking stations (RTS) around the world. Space vehicle checkout facilities are used to test launch vehicles and satellite platforms to ensure that the onboard systems operate within specifications. The remote tracking stations provide the link between the satellite being controlled and the control center. A similar relationship exists for dedicated networks. Remote tracking stations around the world are needed to maintain frequent communications with the satellite. Without RTSs, the control centers would only be able to contact a satellite when it came into the control center's view. Some satellites, especially those in geostationary orbit, never come within view of their control center. Each antenna at an RTS is referred to as a "side". Side A is normally a 60 feet (18.3 m) antenna which is best for TT&C of a geosynchronous satellite because of the distance to the satellite and the fact that the large antenna does not need to move quickly to maintain contact with the satellite. Side B is either a 46 feet (14 m) or 33 feet (10.1 m) antenna. These are commonly used for TT&C of low earth orbit satellites which can move more quickly across the sky. These smaller antennas are more responsive and require less energy to control.
/Discoverer program in 1959. An interim satellite control center was initially established in Palo Alto, California
, and by June, 1960, a permanent control center had been established Sunnyvale AFS, later renamed Onizuka AFS, Sunnyvale, California
. The main operations control center, now at Schriever Air Force Base
, Colorado Springs, CO, functions as a central command and control
node for the remote tracking stations established at several different locations.
(DMSP) has a dedicated network operated by the 1000th Satellite Operations Group with the Mission Control Center at Schriever AFB, Colorado
. The Global Positioning System
has a Mission Control Center at Schriever Air Force Base
operated by the 2d Space Operations Squadron
. There are also dedicated GPS monitoring stations around the world.
The AFSCN maintains a number of tracking stations which are used to track, primarily, US government agencies/organizations & military satellites, as well as receive and process telemetry and send commands to these satellites. Said facilities are intended to support all Department of Defense
satellites. Most tracking stations are operated by 22d Space Operations Squadron
detachments. Many scientific and research satellites are supported, prior, during, and after established orbits/trajectories.
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
and some non-DoD satellite
Satellite
In the context of spaceflight, a satellite is an object which has been placed into orbit by human endeavour. Such objects are sometimes called artificial satellites to distinguish them from natural satellites such as the Moon....
s. This involves continual execution of the tasks involved in Tracking, Telemetry, and Command (TT&C). In addition, the AFSCN provides prelaunch simulation, launch support, and early orbit support while satellites are in initial or transfer orbits and require maneuvering to their final orbit. The AFSCN provides tracking data to help maintain the catalog of space objects and distributes various data such as satellite ephemeris, almanacs, and other information.
Overview
The AFSCN consists of satellite control centers, tracking stations, and test facilities located around the world. Mission Control Centers are located at the Consolidated Space Operations Center (CSOC) at Schriever Air Force BaseSchriever Air Force Base
Schriever Air Force Base is a base of the United States Air Force located approximately 10 miles east of Peterson AFB near Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States.-Overview:...
near Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Vandenberg Air Force Base
Vandenberg Air Force Base
Vandenberg Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base, located approximately northwest of Lompoc, California. It is under the jurisdiction of the 30th Space Wing, Air Force Space Command ....
, California. These centers are manned around the clock and are responsible for the command and control of their assigned satellite systems. The control centers are linked to remote tracking stations (RTS) around the world. Space vehicle checkout facilities are used to test launch vehicles and satellite platforms to ensure that the onboard systems operate within specifications. The remote tracking stations provide the link between the satellite being controlled and the control center. A similar relationship exists for dedicated networks. Remote tracking stations around the world are needed to maintain frequent communications with the satellite. Without RTSs, the control centers would only be able to contact a satellite when it came into the control center's view. Some satellites, especially those in geostationary orbit, never come within view of their control center. Each antenna at an RTS is referred to as a "side". Side A is normally a 60 feet (18.3 m) antenna which is best for TT&C of a geosynchronous satellite because of the distance to the satellite and the fact that the large antenna does not need to move quickly to maintain contact with the satellite. Side B is either a 46 feet (14 m) or 33 feet (10.1 m) antenna. These are commonly used for TT&C of low earth orbit satellites which can move more quickly across the sky. These smaller antennas are more responsive and require less energy to control.
History
AFSCN was originally activated to support the CORONACorona
A corona is a type of plasma "atmosphere" of the Sun or other celestial body, extending millions of kilometers into space, most easily seen during a total solar eclipse, but also observable in a coronagraph...
/Discoverer program in 1959. An interim satellite control center was initially established in Palo Alto, California
Palo Alto, California
Palo Alto is a California charter city located in the northwest corner of Santa Clara County, in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, United States. The city shares its borders with East Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Stanford, Portola Valley, and Menlo Park. It is...
, and by June, 1960, a permanent control center had been established Sunnyvale AFS, later renamed Onizuka AFS, Sunnyvale, California
Sunnyvale, California
Sunnyvale is a city in Santa Clara County, California, United States. It is one of the major cities that make up the Silicon Valley located in the San Francisco Bay Area...
. The main operations control center, now at Schriever Air Force Base
Schriever Air Force Base
Schriever Air Force Base is a base of the United States Air Force located approximately 10 miles east of Peterson AFB near Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States.-Overview:...
, Colorado Springs, CO, functions as a central command and control
Command and Control (military)
Command and control, or C2, in a military organization can be defined as the exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commanding officer over assigned and attached forces in the accomplishment of the mission...
node for the remote tracking stations established at several different locations.
Dedicated Control Networks
There are also some dedicated satellite control networks to control specific satellite systems. The Defense Meteorological Satellite ProgramDefense 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...
(DMSP) has a dedicated network operated by the 1000th Satellite Operations Group with the Mission Control Center 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 Global Positioning System
Global Positioning System
The 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...
has a Mission Control Center at Schriever Air Force Base
Schriever Air Force Base
Schriever Air Force Base is a base of the United States Air Force located approximately 10 miles east of Peterson AFB near Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States.-Overview:...
operated by the 2d Space Operations Squadron
2d Space Operations Squadron
The 2d Space Operations Squadron is a unit of the United States Air Force at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. Its mission is to manage the Navstar Global Positioning System satellite constellation for global navigation, time transfer, and nuclear detonation detection.2 SOPS is augmented by...
. There are also dedicated GPS monitoring stations around the world.
Locations
- 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...
- Primary C2 Node - Onizuka AFS, 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...
- Secondary C2 Node. Transitioning to Vandenberg AFB.
The AFSCN maintains a number of tracking stations which are used to track, primarily, US government agencies/organizations & military satellites, as well as receive and process telemetry and send commands to these satellites. Said facilities are intended to support all Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
satellites. Most tracking stations are operated by 22d Space Operations Squadron
22d Space Operations Squadron
The 22d Space Operations Squadron is a United States Air Force unit of the 50th Network Operations Group, itself a part of the 50th Space Wing, and is located at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado...
detachments. Many scientific and research satellites are supported, prior, during, and after established orbits/trajectories.
Current Remote Tracking Stations
- Hawaii Tracking Station (HTS), Kaena Point Satellite Tracking StationKaena Point Satellite Tracking StationThe Kaena Point Satellite Tracking Station is a United States Air Force military installation in Kaena Point on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. It is a remote tracking station of the Air Force Satellite Control Network responsible for tracking satellites in orbit, many of which support the United...
, HawaiiHawaiiHawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
; callsign HULA. The Hawaii Tracking Station is located on Oahu. It supports ballistic missile testing conducted from Vandenberg Air Force Base and other areas in the Pacific. It also provides onorbit support for low earth orbiting satellites and geosynchronous satellite over the eastern and central Pacific. - Vandenberg Tracking Station (VTS), 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...
; callsign COOK. The Vandenberg AFB Tracking Station is a dual station which can communicate simultaneously with two satellites. It supports ballistic missile test and space launches from the Western Test Range at Vandenberg Air Force BaseVandenberg Air Force BaseVandenberg Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base, located approximately northwest of Lompoc, California. It is under the jurisdiction of the 30th Space Wing, Air Force Space Command ....
. - Diego Garcia Station (DGS), Diego GarciaDiego GarciaDiego Garcia is a tropical, footprint-shaped coral atoll located south of the equator in the central Indian Ocean at 7 degrees, 26 minutes south latitude. It is part of the British Indian Ocean Territory [BIOT] and is positioned at 72°23' east longitude....
, BIOTBiotBiot or BIOT may refer to:* Biot, Alpes-Maritimes, a commune in France* Biot , a lunar crater* British Indian Ocean Territory* Camille Biot , French physician...
; callsign REEF. Diego Garcia Tracking Station The Diego Garcia Tracking Station provides enhanced tracking of low earth orbiting satellites over the Indian Ocean area since its antenna is smaller than the one at the Indian Ocean Tracking Station. - Thule Tracking Station (TTS), Thule Air BaseThule Air BaseThule Air Base or Thule Air Base/Pituffik Airport , is the United States Air Force's northernmost base, located north of the Arctic Circle and from the North Pole on the northwest side of the island of Greenland. It is approximately east of the North Magnetic Pole.-Overview:Thule Air Base is the...
, GreenlandGreenlandGreenland is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Though physiographically a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with Europe for...
; callsign POGO. The Thule Tracking Station is located in Greenland. This station is unique because of its three antennas. Thule is so far north that it can communicate with polar orbiting satellites on every revolution around the Earth but is not positioned to communicate with satellites in geostationary orbit. For this reason, "Side A" is only a 14 feet (4.3 m) antenna. - Guam Tracking Station (GTS), GuamGuamGuam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
; callsign GUAM. The Guam Tracking Station has two antennas. It can provide TT&C for onorbit support for low earth orbiting satellites and geosynchronous satellites over the western Pacific Ocean. - Colorado Tracking Station (CTS), 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...
; callsign PIKE. It is used for support of various DoD satellites. Additional equipment has been installed to support the Global Positioning System satellites. - Telemetry & Command Station (TCS), RAF OakhangerRAF OakhangerRAF Station Oakhanger was a Royal Air Force station in Hampshire split over three operational sites with accommodation in nearby Bordon. The main site and operations centre was near the village of Oakhanger with two other sites nearby...
, in EnglandEnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, ostensibly operated by the United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
; callsign LION. Telemetry and Command Station at Oakhanger, Hampshire, England. The second "side" is an ARTS. - New Hampshire Station (NHS), New Boston AFS, New HampshireNew HampshireNew Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
; callsign BOSS. The New HampshireNew HampshireNew Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
Tracking Station is located in New Boston, New HampshireNew HampshireNew Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
. It is also a dual antenna site and provides considerable support to the Eastern Test RangeEastern Test RangeThe Eastern Range is an American rocket range that supports missile and rocket launches from the two major launch heads located at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and the Kennedy Space Center. The range has also supported Ariane launches from the Guiana Space Centre as well as providing support...
at Cape Kennedy, Florida.
Automated Remote Tracking Stations
The Remote Tracking Stations are being modernized with the addition of the Automated Remote Tracking Station (ARTS). ARTSs provide more responsive support and reduce manpower required at each site because the antennas and supporting systems can be controlled by the Mission Control Centers. There are four ARTS installed at the following locations:- Colorado Tracking Station at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. It is used for support of various DoD satellites. Additional equipment has been installed to support the Global Positioning System satellites.
- Thule Tracking Station at Thule Air Force Base, Greenland. The third "side" at Thule is an ARTS.
- Oakhangar Telemetry and Command Station at Oakhangar, Hampshire, England. The second "side" is an ARTS.
- Eastern Vehicle Checkout Facility (EVCF), Cape Canaveral Air Force StationCape Canaveral Air Force StationCape Canaveral Air Force Station is an installation of the United States Air Force Space Command's 45th Space Wing, headquartered at nearby Patrick Air Force Base. Located on Cape Canaveral in the state of Florida, CCAFS is the primary launch head of America's Eastern Range with four launch pads...
, FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
; callsign BEACH * Test Vehicle Checkout Facility (TVCF), Onizuka Air Force StationOnizuka Air Force StationOnizuka Air Force Station was a United States Air Force installation in Santa Clara County, California, just outside the city limits of Sunnyvale, at the intersection of U.S. Route 101 and State Route 237...
, 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...
; callsign YOGI (Bear). Camp Parks Communications Annex at Pleasanton, California. This ARTS is used to test and analyze signals from communications and navigation satellites.
Closed Remote Tracking Stations
- Indian Ocean Station (IOS), Mahe IslandMahé, SeychellesMahé is the largest island of the Seychelles, lying in the north east of the nation. The population of Mahé is 80,000. It contains the capital city of Victoria and accommodates 90% of the country's total population...
, SeychellesSeychellesSeychelles , officially the Republic of Seychelles , is an island country spanning an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, some east of mainland Africa, northeast of the island of Madagascar....
; callsign INDI (closed in August 1996, after the government of the Seychelles attempted to "raise the rent" to more than $10 million/year). The Indian Ocean Tracking Station was located on Mahe in the Seychelle Islands. It only had one 60 foot antenna. Its location was ideal for communicating with geosynchronous satellites over the Indian Ocean. The station was also geographically suited for acquiring realtime or near-realtime data from passes over areas to the north. In 1980, due to political instabilities of the island, the main processing computers were removed and relocated to Sunnyvale. These computers communicated with the IOS downlink and tracking equipment via a wideband (DSCS) communications link. IOS has been supplanted by Diego Garcia RTS.
- Kodiak Tracking Station (KTS), Kodiak IslandKodiak IslandKodiak Island is a large island on the south coast of the U.S. state of Alaska, separated from the Alaska mainland by the Shelikof Strait. The largest island in the Kodiak Archipelago, Kodiak Island is the second largest island in the United States and the 80th largest island in the world, with an...
, AlaskaAlaskaAlaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
; callsign KODI (closed on March 20, 1975)
- Sunnyvale Control Station, callsign CUBE. Not a true tracking station, in that it had no direct downlink antenna. Instead, CUBE supported operations at TCS/Oakhangar and IOS/Seychelles, where main processing computers could not be located. CUBE had two 'sides', and so could support two satellite passes simultaneously.