Space and Missile Systems Center
Encyclopedia
The Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) is a part of Air Force Space Command
of the United States Air Force
. SMC is the Air Force’s product center for the development and acquisition of space and missile systems. The Center was established in 1954 and has been involved in military space systems development since the earliest days of the space age.
s. From the first successful military space launches in the 1950s, rapid progress was made in maturing the technology and know-how to develop and operate reliable and effective systems across a broad array of mission areas. During this period, the Western Development Division underwent multiple reorganizations, until finally being designated in 1992 as the Space and Missile Systems Center.
. SMC maintained its leadership role in the development of space and missile systems in support of the new Air Force Space Command mission but remained part of Air Force Systems Command
and subsequently Air Force Materiel Command
.
s in the late 1990s. All these factors led to a “perfect storm
” within the space enterprise and a call to action to fix systemic problem
s.
(PEO) authority was assigned to the Commander of SMC, consolidating most space development and acquisition responsibilities under a single “dual-hatted” Commander and PEO.
"The visible sensor on the SBSS satellite will be used to provide critical information vital to the protection of US military and civilian satellites," said Lt Col Robert Erickson, squadron commander for Space Based Space Surveillance
within the Space Superiority Systems Directorate.
The Global Positioning Systems Directorate manages the fleet of NAVSTAR GPS satellite
s as well as their associated ground control equipment and end-user technologies for the entire Global Positioning System
. In addition to the not-yet-launched GPS Block IIF produced by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems
, the GPS Systems Directorate recently awarded the design and production of GPS Block IIIA satellites to Lockheed Martin
under the GPS modernization
program. Day to day operations of the constellation are provided by the 50th Space Wing
at Schriever AFB, Colorado.
and aeronautical testing at the Eastern and Western Ranges. After the Challenger accident, the Air Force initiated a program to develop a mixed fleet of expendable launch systems. This program led initially to the development of the Delta II
rocket. The EELV program was initiated in the mid-90s as a launch system modernization program which led to the development of the Boeing
Delta IV rocket
and Lockheed Martin
Atlas V
. All of these launch system programs are managed through the Launch and Range Systems Directorate. Beginning in December 2006, Boeing and Lockheed Martin merged their launch services into the United Launch Alliance
joint venture which provides Delta II, Delta IV, and Atlas V launch systems.
. The Directorate currently maintains two constellations, both developed by Lockheed Martin
: the Defense Satellite Communications System
(DSCS) and the Milstar system. In addition to these two existing systems, they are also responsible for the development and acquisition of four follow on systems intended to replace or augment current systems. These systems are the Wideband Global SATCOM system
which will replace the DSCS system, the Advanced Extremely High Frequency
and Enhanced Polar Satellite system which will augment the Milstar system. The fourth system, the Transformational Satellite Communications System
(TSAT) was meant to provide Internet-like connectivity; recently this system appears to have been canceled. Day-to-day operations of the military satellite communications systems are handled by the 50th Space Wing at Schriever AFB.
(SBIRS) for space-based surveillance. The SBIRS program is intended to complement and eventually replace the Defense Support Program
spacecraft originally developed to provide early warning for global ICBM launches. The Space-Based Infrared Systems Directorate is responsible for the development and acquisition of the SBIRS-High spacecraft and the advanced mission control station. On August 5, 2008 Lockheed Martin
announced that the first SBIRS Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO) payload (HEO-1) had been handed over on-orbit to the Air Force, along with its associated ground system. The HEO-2 payload was announced to be on-orbit June 20, 2008.
at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico
develops, tests and evaluates Air Force space systems, executes advanced space development and demonstration projects, and rapidly transitions capabilities to production quality space systems. The Directorate is organized into two primary groups. The Space Test Group is responsible for the on-orbit operation of experimental space systems and operates two Satellite Operations Centers (at Schriever AFB and Kirtland AFB). The Space Development Group administers the Space Test Program
for the Department of Defense and conducts research into advanced and responsive space systems.
gaining day-to-day operations responsibility in 1998. The successor to the DMSP system was the NPOESS
program which was being jointly developed by NASA
with oversight from the DoD, NOAA, and NASA. However, the NPOESS program has been split into the military DWSS and NOAA/NASA JPSS programs.
(AFSCN) systems including two control nodes and nine worldwide remote tracking stations to assure responsive, effective, satellite support to Defense forces. The group provides highly reliable command and control to support DoD, Civil and NRO
satellite launch and satellite operations in surveillance, navigation, communications and weather.
's space assets. These technologies include sensors, space qualified components, optics and algorithms. The Space Applications Center of Excellence will play a lead role in any future space initiatives undertaken by MDA and facilitate the integration of External ONIR Sensors. MDA develops and acquires national missile defense systems for defense of the U.S. while maintaining technology options for future missile defense needs.
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....
of the United States Air Force
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...
. SMC is the Air Force’s product center for the development and acquisition of space and missile systems. The Center was established in 1954 and has been involved in military space systems development since the earliest days of the space age.
History
The Space and Missile Systems Center traces its roots to the Western Development Division, activated by Brigadier General Bernard Schriever on July 1, 1954. Its original mission, the development of strategic nuclear missiles for the nation, was soon expanded to include the development, fielding, and operation of the nation’s first military satellites and launch vehicleLaunch vehicle
In spaceflight, a launch vehicle or carrier rocket is a rocket used to carry a payload from the Earth's surface into outer space. A launch system includes the launch vehicle, the launch pad and other infrastructure....
s. From the first successful military space launches in the 1950s, rapid progress was made in maturing the technology and know-how to develop and operate reliable and effective systems across a broad array of mission areas. During this period, the Western Development Division underwent multiple reorganizations, until finally being designated in 1992 as the Space and Missile Systems Center.
Creation of Air Force Space Command
On September 1, 1982, Air Force Space Command was established to serve as the Air Force’s operational command for military space systems. In the years that followed, the Command gradually assumed operational functions previously performed by SMC field units, including satellite operations, launch ranges, and satellite control networksAir 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...
. SMC maintained its leadership role in the development of space and missile systems in support of the new Air Force Space Command mission but remained part of Air Force Systems Command
Air Force Systems Command
Air Force Systems Command is a former United States Air Force command. Its headquarters was located at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland...
and subsequently Air Force Materiel Command
Air Force Materiel Command
Air Force Materiel Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. AFMC was created July 1, 1992 through the reorganization of Air Force Logistics Command and Air Force Systems Command....
.
Transformation of Military Space
The end of the Cold War and collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s changed the focus of military space capabilities from strategic to operational and tactical applications and began an unprecedented growth in demand for military space capabilities. Operation Desert Storm demonstrated the far reaching applications and benefits of space capabilities in joint military operations. At the same time, defense budget reductions, industry consolidation, government and industry workforce reductions, and projected growth in commercial space investment led the national security space community to institute a series of acquisition reforms. Ultimately, these reforms proved to be flawed, and the community experienced a series of launch failures, serious program delays, and cost overrunCost overrun
A cost overrun, also known as a cost increase or budget overrun, is an unexpected cost incurred in excess of a budgeted amount due to an under-estimation of the actual cost during budgeting...
s in the late 1990s. All these factors led to a “perfect storm
Perfect storm
A "perfect storm" is an expression that describes an event where a rare combination of circumstances will aggravate a situation drastically. The term is also used to describe an actual phemonenon that happens to occur in such a confluence, resulting in an event of unusual magnitude.-Origin:First ...
” within the space enterprise and a call to action to fix systemic problem
Systemic problem
A systemic problem is a problem due to issues inherent in the overall system,rather than due to a specific, individual, isolated factor. Contrast with pilot error, user error or mistake....
s.
Realignment of the Space and Missile Systems Center
In the early 2000s, a number of studies examined management and organization of the defense space community and space acquisition, including the organizational alignment of the Space and Missile Systems Center. In 2001, the Center was realigned under Air Force Space Command, thus bringing the developers and the operators of military space and missile systems together under one major command. Further, Program Executive OfficerProgram Executive Officer
A Program Executive Officer, or PEO, is one of a few key individuals in the United States military acquisition process. As can be seen from the examples below, a Program Executive Officer may be responsible for a specific program , or for an entire portfolio of similar programs A Program Executive...
(PEO) authority was assigned to the Commander of SMC, consolidating most space development and acquisition responsibilities under a single “dual-hatted” Commander and PEO.
Rebirth of SMC
In the first decade of the new millennium, SMC has aimed to reinvigorate its workforce and its programs to recover from the flaws of the acquisition reforms in the 1990s. SMC has led the “Back to Basics” campaign – an initiative to reestablish rigor and discipline in space systems development. With an intense focus on mission assurance, the Center has rebuilt processes, improved engineering and program management rigor, redeveloped the workforce, reinvigorated partnerships with industry, and implemented engineering and business “best practices.” As part of this initiative, SMC also implemented a “block development” acquisition approach to manage complex systems development.Space Superiority Systems Directorate
The Space Superiority Systems Directorate equips US forces with offensive and defensive counterspace and space situation awareness systems to gain, maintain, and exploit space superiority. It directs the planning, development, testing, deployment, and sustainment of a complex and dynamic portfolio of space-superiority capabilities of the highest national priority."The visible sensor on the SBSS satellite will be used to provide critical information vital to the protection of US military and civilian satellites," said Lt Col Robert Erickson, squadron commander for Space Based Space Surveillance
Space Based Space Surveillance
The 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...
within the Space Superiority Systems Directorate.
Global Positioning Systems Directorate
GPS satellite
A GPS satellite is a satellite used by the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System . The first satellite in the system, Navstar 1, was launched February 22, 1978. The GPS satellite constellation is operated by the 50th Space Wing of the United States Air Force....
s as well as their associated ground control equipment and end-user technologies for the entire 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...
. In addition to the not-yet-launched GPS Block IIF produced by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems
Boeing Integrated Defense Systems
Boeing Defense, Space & Security formerly known as Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a unit of The Boeing Company responsible for defense and aerospace products and services. Boeing Integrated Defense Systems was formed in 2002 by combining the former "Military Aircraft and Missile Systems"...
, the GPS Systems Directorate recently awarded the design and production of GPS Block IIIA satellites to Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is an American global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technology company with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta in March 1995. It is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington Metropolitan Area....
under the GPS modernization
GPS modernization
The United States' Global Positioning System , having reached Fully Operational Capability on July 17, 1995, has completed its original design goals. However, additional advances in technology and new demands on the existing system led to the effort to modernize the GPS system. Announcements from...
program. Day to day operations of the constellation are provided by the 50th Space Wing
50th Space Wing
The 50th Space Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force under the major command of Air Force Space Command . It was activated on 30 January 1992, replacing the 2d Space Wing, which was deactivated on the same date.-Overview:...
at Schriever AFB, Colorado.
Launch and Range Systems Directorate
The mission of the Launch and Range Systems Directorate is to develop and acquire launch vehicles under the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program, manage launch integration, mission assurance and launch campaigns, and provide range systems for space launch operations and ballistic missileBallistic missile
A ballistic missile is a missile that follows a sub-orbital ballistic flightpath with the objective of delivering one or more warheads to a predetermined target. The missile is only guided during the relatively brief initial powered phase of flight and its course is subsequently governed by the...
and aeronautical testing at the Eastern and Western Ranges. After the Challenger accident, the Air Force initiated a program to develop a mixed fleet of expendable launch systems. This program led initially to the development of the Delta II
Delta II
Delta II was an American space launch system, originally designed and built by McDonnell Douglas. Delta II is part of the Delta rocket family and was in service from 1989 until November 1, 2011...
rocket. The EELV program was initiated in the mid-90s as a launch system modernization program which led to the development of the Boeing
Boeing
The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
Delta IV rocket
Delta IV rocket
Delta IV is an active expendable launch system in the Delta rocket family. Delta IV uses rockets designed by Boeing's Integrated Defense Systems division and built in the United Launch Alliance facility in Decatur, Alabama. Final assembly is completed at the launch site by ULA...
and Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is an American global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technology company with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta in March 1995. It is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington Metropolitan Area....
Atlas V
Atlas V
Atlas V is an active expendable launch system in the Atlas rocket family. Atlas V was formerly operated by Lockheed Martin, and is now operated by the Lockheed Martin-Boeing joint venture United Launch Alliance...
. All of these launch system programs are managed through the Launch and Range Systems Directorate. Beginning in December 2006, Boeing and Lockheed Martin merged their launch services into the United Launch Alliance
United Launch Alliance
United Launch Alliance is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Boeing. ULA was formed in December 2006 by combining the teams at these companies which provide spacecraft launch services to the government of the United States. U.S...
joint venture which provides Delta II, Delta IV, and Atlas V launch systems.
Military Satellite Communications Systems Directorate
The Military Satellite Communications Systems Directorate (MILSATCOM Directorate) is responsible for the development, acquisition, and sustainment for all space-based, global communications links for the Department of Defense and National Command AuthorityNational Command Authority
National Command Authority is a term used by the Department of Defense of the United States of America to refer to the ultimate lawful source of military orders. The NCA comprises the President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense jointly, or their duly deputized successors, i.e...
. The Directorate currently maintains two constellations, both developed by Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is an American global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technology company with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta in March 1995. It is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington Metropolitan Area....
: the Defense Satellite Communications System
Defense Satellite Communications System
The Defense Satellite Communications System provides the United States with military communications to support globally distributed military users. DSCS will be replaced by the Wideband Global SATCOM system. A total of 14 DSCS III satellites were launched between the early 1980s and 2003. Two...
(DSCS) and the Milstar system. In addition to these two existing systems, they are also responsible for the development and acquisition of four follow on systems intended to replace or augment current systems. These systems are the Wideband Global SATCOM system
Wideband Global SATCOM system
The Wideband Global SATCOM system is a satellite communications system planned for use in partnership by the United States Department of Defense and the Australian Department of Defence. The system is composed of the Space Segment satellites, the Terminal Segment users and the Control Segment...
which will replace the DSCS system, the Advanced Extremely High Frequency
Advanced Extremely High Frequency
Advanced Extremely High Frequency is a series of communications satellites operated by the United States Air Force Air Force Space Command. The spacecraft will be used to relay secure communications for the Armed Forces of the United States, the British Armed Forces, the Canadian Forces and the...
and Enhanced Polar Satellite system which will augment the Milstar system. The fourth system, the Transformational Satellite Communications System
Transformational Satellite Communications System
The Transformational Satellite Communications System program was a United States Department of Defense program sponsored by the U.S. Air Force for a secure, high-capacity global communications network serving the Department of Defense, NASA and the U.S. Intelligence Community...
(TSAT) was meant to provide Internet-like connectivity; recently this system appears to have been canceled. Day-to-day operations of the military satellite communications systems are handled by the 50th Space Wing at Schriever AFB.
Space-Based Infrared Systems Directorate
The mission of the Space-Based Infrared Systems Directorate is to develop and manage the Space-Based Infrared SystemSpace-Based Infrared System
The Space-Based Infrared System is a consolidated system intended to meet the United States' infrared space surveillance needs through the first two to three decades of the 21st century...
(SBIRS) for space-based surveillance. The SBIRS program is intended to complement and eventually replace the 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....
spacecraft originally developed to provide early warning for global ICBM launches. The Space-Based Infrared Systems Directorate is responsible for the development and acquisition of the SBIRS-High spacecraft and the advanced mission control station. On August 5, 2008 Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is an American global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technology company with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta in March 1995. It is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington Metropolitan Area....
announced that the first SBIRS Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO) payload (HEO-1) had been handed over on-orbit to the Air Force, along with its associated ground system. The HEO-2 payload was announced to be on-orbit June 20, 2008.
Space Development and Test Directorate
The Space Development and Test Directorate co-located with AFRL's Space Vehicles Directorate and the Operationally Responsive Space OfficeOperationally Responsive Space Office
The Operationally Responsive Space Office is a joint initiative of several agencies within the United States Department of Defense . The "stand up" of the office took place 2007-05-21 at Kirtland Air Force Base. The first director of the ORS Office is Col. Kevin McLaughlin, who is also commander...
at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
develops, tests and evaluates Air Force space systems, executes advanced space development and demonstration projects, and rapidly transitions capabilities to production quality space systems. The Directorate is organized into two primary groups. The Space Test Group is responsible for the on-orbit operation of experimental space systems and operates two Satellite Operations Centers (at Schriever AFB and Kirtland AFB). The Space Development Group administers the Space Test Program
Space Test Program
The Space Test Program is the primary provider of spaceflight for the United States Department of Defense space science and technology community. STP is conducted by the Space Development and Test Wing of the United States Air Force...
for the Department of Defense and conducts research into advanced and responsive space systems.
Defense Weather Systems Directorate
The Defense Weather Systems Directorate provides the United States armed forces with weather and space environmental data for planning and executing aerospace, ground, and naval operations. The directorate develops, acquires and sustains satellites, sensors and ground systems to meet Defense needs and provides launch support, early orbit operations and spacecraft anomaly resolution for the program with the Department of CommerceUnited States Department of Commerce
The United States Department of Commerce is the Cabinet department of the United States government concerned with promoting economic growth. It was originally created as the United States Department of Commerce and Labor on February 14, 1903...
gaining day-to-day operations responsibility in 1998. The successor to the DMSP system was the NPOESS
NPOESS
The National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System was to be the United States' next-generation satellite system that would monitor the Earth's weather, atmosphere, oceans, land and near-space environment. NPOESS satellites were to host proven technologies and operational...
program which was being jointly developed by 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...
with oversight from the DoD, NOAA, and NASA. However, the NPOESS program has been split into the military DWSS and NOAA/NASA JPSS programs.
Space Logistics Directorate
The Space Logistics Directorate sustains and enhances worldwide USAF/DoD space weapon ground, user & support systems. It serves as the SMC focal point for logistics, maintenance, supply, and sustaining engineering policy and processes, and operates the Space Logistics Readiness Center. The Directorate also supports military users & AFSPC wings in assuring availability & readiness of operational systems.Satellite Control and Network Systems Division
The Satellite Control and Network Systems Division's mission is to modernize and sustain the $1.2B Air Force Satellite Control NetworkAir 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...
(AFSCN) systems including two control nodes and nine worldwide remote tracking stations to assure responsive, effective, satellite support to Defense forces. The group provides highly reliable command and control to support DoD, Civil and NRO
National Reconnaissance Office
The National Reconnaissance Office , located in Chantilly, Virginia, is one of the 16 U.S. intelligence agencies. It designs, builds, and operates the spy satellites of the United States government.-Mission:...
satellite launch and satellite operations in surveillance, navigation, communications and weather.
Missile Defense Space Systems Division
Missile Defense Systems Division's mission objectives include developing space technologies that support the Missile Defense AgencyMissile Defense Agency
The Missile Defense Agency is the section of the United States government's Department of Defense responsible for developing a layered defense against ballistic missiles. The agency has its origins in the Strategic Defense Initiative, which was established in 1983 and was headed by Lt...
's space assets. These technologies include sensors, space qualified components, optics and algorithms. The Space Applications Center of Excellence will play a lead role in any future space initiatives undertaken by MDA and facilitate the integration of External ONIR Sensors. MDA develops and acquires national missile defense systems for defense of the U.S. while maintaining technology options for future missile defense needs.
External links
- Los Angeles Air Force Base (Official)