Air Force Space Command

Heritage

Air Force Space Command Silver Anniversary

Air Force Space Command, created Sept. 1, 1982, is a major command headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. AFSPC defends North America through its space and intercontinental ballistic missile operations - vital force elements in projecting global reach and global power.

Air Force Space Command Mission

Air Force Space Command, created Sept. 1, 1982, is a major command headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. AFSPC defends North America through its space and intercontinental ballistic missile operations - vital force elements in projecting global reach and global power.

People

Approximately 34, 395 people, including 21,275 active-duty military and civilians, and 13,120 contractor employees, combine to perform the AFSPC missions.

Organization

AFSPC has two numbered air forces, three centers and one center. Fourteenth Air Force is located at Vandenberg AFB, Calif. Fourteenth Air Force manages the generation and employment of space forces to support U.S. Strategic Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command operational plans and missions.

The Twenty-fourth Air Force is located at Lackland AFB, Texas. The 24th Air Force assures the Joint Warfighter freedom of action by establishing, extending, operating and defending assigned portions of the DoD network to provide capabilities in, through and from cyberspace.

The Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles AFB, Calif., designs and acquires all Air Force and most Department of Defense space systems. It oversees launches, completes on-orbit checkouts and then turns systems over to user agencies. It supports the Program Executive Office for Space on the Global Positioning, Defense Satellite Communications and MILSTAR systems. SMC also supports the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle, Titan IV, Defense Meteorological Satellite and Defense Support programs, and the Space Based Infrared System.

SMC also manages the research, design, development, acquisition and sustainment of space launch, command and control, missile systems and satellite systems. The Space Innovation and Development Center at Schriever AFB, Colo., is responsible for integrating space systems into the operational Air Force.

AFSPC bases include: Schriever, Peterson and Buckley, Colo.; Los Angeles and Vandenberg, Calif., Patrick, Fla. In addition, many geographically separated units span the globe.

Space Capabilities

Spacelift operations at the east and west coast launch bases provide services, facilities and range safety control for the conduct of DoD, NASA and commercial launches. Through the command and control of all DoD satellites, satellite operators provide force-multiplying effects - continuous global coverage, low vulnerability and autonomous operations. Satellites provide essential in-theater secure communications, weather and navigational data for ground, air and fleet operations and threat warning. Ground-based radar and Defense Support Program satellites monitor ballistic missile launches around the world to guard against a surprise missile attack on North America. Space surveillance radars provide vital information on the location of satellites and space debris for the nation and the world. Maintaining space superiority is an emerging capability required to protect our space assets. With a readiness rate above 99 percent, America's ICBM team plays a critical role in maintaining world peace and ensuring the nation's safety and security.

Resources

AFSPC acquires, operates and supports the Global Positioning System, Defense Satellite Communications Systems Phase III, Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, Defense Support Program and the Space-Based Infrared System Program. AFSPC currently operates the Delta II, Delta IV and Atlas V launch vehicles. The Atlas V and Delta IV launch vehicles comprise the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program, which is the future of assured access to space. AFSPC's launch operations include the Eastern and Western ranges and range support for all launches, including the space shuttle on the Eastern Range. The command maintains and operates a worldwide network of satellite tracking stations, called the Air Force Satellite Control Network, to provide communications links to satellites.

Ground-based radars used primarily for ballistic missile warning include the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System, PAVE Phased Array Warning System and Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack radars. The Maui Optical Tracking Identification Facility, Ground-based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance System, Passive Space Surveillance System, phased-array and mechanical radars provide primary space surveillance coverage. New transformational space programs are continuously being researched and developed to enable AFSPC to stay on the leading-edge of technology.