ASSUMING THE COBRA DANE RADAR MISSION

The 21st Operations Group assumed the Cobra Dane Radar mission at Eareckson Air Station, Shemya Island, Alaska, April 1. Eareckson AS is located on the western tip of Alaska's Aleutian islands. The radar has the ability to detect objects about 2,000 miles away, and provides data for the Space Surveillance Network and the Ballistic Missile Defense System. Cobra Dane will continue to be operated by a contract workforce, and no military personnel will be assigned to the unit at Eareckson AS. (U.S. Air Force photo)

FROM: U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND
Wing adopts new (again) space surveillance mission
by Steve Brady
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

4/5/2013 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The 21st Operations Group assumed the Cobra Dane radar mission at Eareckson Air Station, Shemya Island, Alaska, April 1, and takes responsibility for contract and program management Oct. 1.

Eareckson Air Station is located on the western tip of Alaska's Aleutian Islands near the larger island of Attu, and is approximately 1,500 miles southwest of Anchorage. The airport lies on the south side of the two-mile by four-mile island.

The radar is about 120 feet tall, the face is about 95 feet in diameter, and with its ability to detect objects about 2,000 miles away, it provides data for the Space Surveillance Network and the Ballistic Missile Defense System.

"The Cobra Dane radar will support the 21st Space Wing missile defense and space situational awareness missions," said Lt. Col. Paul Tombarge, 21st Operations Group commander. The radar will fall under the oversight of the 13th Space Warning Squadron at Clear AFS, Alaska, and will be designated as 13th SWS, Operating Location-Cobra Dane, he said.

The Cobra Dane radar began operations in 1977. Its space surveillance mission was suspended by the Air Force in 1994 due to budget constraints, but was reinstated as a limited duty contractor operation in 1999 with renewed emphasis on the radar's unique space tracking capabilities for protection of the International Space Station and shuttle orbiter flights, Tombarge said. The radar resumed full-duty operation in 2002 to support increased spacetrack demands. The radar began its missile defense mission as a result of the Cobra Dane Upgrade program in 2004.

In 2012, the deputy secretary of defense directed the Air Force to assume responsibility for Cobra Dane. Given the similarities between Cobra Dane and the wing's upgraded early warning radars, Air Force Space Command directed the 21st SW to assume the Cobra Dane mission, Tombarge said.

Cobra Dane will continue to be operated by a contract workforce, and no military personnel will be assigned to the unit at Eareckson AS.

　

THE CRITICAL NEED FOR CYBER AIRMAN-DEVELOPMENT

Chief Master Sgt. Linus Jordan, Air Force Space Command, Command Chief, discusses the role of Airmen as a strategically critical professional Cyber force for the nation during a panel discussion at Cyber 3.1 in Colorado Springs, Monday. Air Force photo by Duncan Wood
　

FROM: U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND
Cyber Airman-development strategically critical to the nation
by Senior Master Sgt. Dean J. Miller
Air Force Space Command Public Affairs

4/9/2013 - COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Cyber Airman development became the focus of discussion at Cyber 1.3 in Colorado Springs Monday as Chief Master Sgt. Linus Jordan, Command Chief, Air Force Space Command, addressed space and cyber industry leaders at the conference prior to official opening of the 29th National Space Symposium.

Chief Jordan and a civilian aerospace leader were participants in a moderated panel discussion that encouraged audience participation via e-mail. The interactive forum quickly moved through topics including youth interest in an evolving cyber culture, common talent pool recruitment considerations, challenges of long-term development of a professional cyber force, and the critical roles of cyber-trained Airmen.

Chief Jordan, invested in developing cyber Airmen both as command chief for the Air Force major command responsible for the cyber mission and as a father of an Airman in the cyber operations career field, challenged common assumptions that people fall into only the popular categories of digital native or digital immigrant. Chief Jordan offered a third category: the digitally disadvantaged.

"There are demographics in our country where young people, or people of any age, may not have had the opportunity - educationally or economically - to be exposed to technology...to have the opportunity to use and leverage technology," said Chief Jordan. "Just because someone was born into an era, doesn't mean they experienced what that era was all about."

Before cyber professionals, Airmen or civilians, can be recruited and developed, young people must be aware of, interested in and somewhat familiar with the cyber culture. Chief Jordan emphasized the need for a national focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, citing Air Force support of the annual CyberPatriot competition as an example of a positive experience in STEM areas. CyberPatriot is a national high school cyber defense competition designed to inspire high school students to aspire to STEM degrees and cybersecurity careers.

"There is goodness in that type of program (CyberPatriot) for those young Americans, whether they join our team or not, because it exposes them to what the opportunities of the future may be," Chief Jordan said. "More importantly, it reinforces just how critically important STEM is to them as individuals and to us as a nation."

The panelists took questions during the session and one participant asked, "If the demands of the cyber domain are so different compared to traditional military domains, does application of traditional military standards still make sense?". Chief Jordan was quick to respond.

"Airmen are Airmen first. Just like Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, they are military professionals first, regardless of their technical discipline and expertise -- especially in an environment as complex as cyber is for us today. We have to have professionals who are trained to a common level of discipline, standards, understanding and behavior before we can entrust them with the responsibilities and authorities that we do, in an environment as dynamic and complex as cyber," said Chief Jordan.

"The last thing you want is someone who does not have that standard grounding to operate autonomously in that mission area. It can very quickly have national security-level implications. Given our current workforce, we entrust our most junior enlisted Airmen and our most junior company grade officers with some pretty significant responsibilities in this mission area," said Chief Jordan. "Without that fundamental thread of training, discipline, and standards that runs through every Airman, we set ourselves up for failure. Cyber is one of those areas that changes too quickly, is too important and too pervasive to take chances with."

Another question from the panel was about developing the culture and making the mission area 'fun'. Chief Jordan was less interested in making Cyber appear fun than he was about inspiring a sense of service in current and future cyber Airmen, based on the satisfaction they get from positively impacting operations from the tactical to strategic and national levels every day. This led to an opportunity for Chief Jordan to expand on the role of Cyber Airmen deployed to the Combatant Commands.

"These Americans are warriors. Though they may typically serve in an operations center, or some other obscure location, at the end of the day, they are as prone to deploy into harm's way to support national security as anyone else," said Chief Jordan. "As the Combatant Commands around the world continue to learn what cyber warriors bring to the fight, we see more and more requests for forces placing cyber Airmen 'boots on ground' to support combatant commanders. When we talk about cyber and space warriors, we cannot allow ourselves to think that these are Airmen 'removed from the fight'. Regardless of where they sit, more important than anything, are the capabilities that these professionals bring to bear in execution of national security."

RESTRUCTURE AND THE U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND

FROM: U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND

Space mission continues despite restructure

4/2/2013 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFPS) -- Critical Air Force missions continue from their current locations after today's restructure of Air Force Space Command's Space Innovation and Development Center at Schriever AFB, Colo.

The SIDC restructure and realignment of subordinate organizations is part of the Air Force response to meet future challenges by balancing and realigning like missions to AFSPC and to Air Combat Command's U.S. Air Force Warfare Center at Nellis AFB, Nev. The Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff of the Air Force announced to Congress in November 2011 the Air Force intent to restructure the SIDC.

AFSPC and ACC jointly restructured the Space Innovation and Development Center as part of an ongoing Air Force effort to increase efficiencies, reduce overhead and eliminate redundancy. Effective today, the existing SIDC structure will transition to become several

Operating Locations at Schriever AFB under ACC's United States Air Force Warfare Center, headquartered at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The Air Force Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities program, the Distributed Mission Operations Center - Space, the 17th Test Squadron, and the 25th Space Range Squadron will transfer to USAFWC but will remain operational at Schriever AFB.

The 595th Space Group and its 595th Operations Support Flight will inactivate. The 3rd Space Experimentation Squadron will remain in AFSPC but transfer to the 50th Operations Group at Schriever AFB.

The Advanced Space Operations School will become a Field Operating Agency reporting directly to the AFSPC Director of Air, Space and Cyberspace Operations. ASoPS has relocated to Peterson AFB and resides in the new Moorman Space Education and Training Center.

Airmen and civilians assigned to SIDC are responsible to fully integrate space capabilities into the operational battlespace. Their mission is to advance full-spectrum warfare through rapid innovation, integration, training, testing and experimentation.

Early in the planning stages, 106 SIDC Air Force civilian employee positions were identified as surplus in an effort to increase efficiencies, reduce overhead and eliminate redundancy.

Beginning in the fall of 2011, local Air Force civilian personnel offices began offering the first of two rounds of Voluntary Early Retirement Authority/Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments.

These programs were offered to all eligible employees in identified positions who wanted to retire early or be offered a financial incentive to leave their position. In addition to VERA/VSIP,

Air Force leaders have been working diligently to reassign personnel to valid vacant positions.
As of today, approximately 20 employees are still in identified surplus positions. Civilian personnel offices and local leadership are working to offer management reassignment beyond Schriever AFB and considering additional efforts to support the remaining employees.

SIDC organizations work together to conduct wargaming; integrate space into exercises and experiments; rapidly prototype, field and exploit integrated air, space and cyberspace capabilities; provide advanced space testing, training and range Infrastructure; and execute
AFSPC Force Development Evaluation and Operational Test programs.

The USAFWC is the sole Air Force organization responsible to facilitate development and integration of operational and tactical warfighting capabilities for all Air and Space Component Commanders. Based on USAFWC's mission, ACC and AFSPC agreed that aside from specified space-centric missions, the bulk of SIDC's responsibilities best fit under USAFWC as the Air Force's sole Warfare Center with responsibility to support all major commands.
Aligning like missions under a single headquarters allows the missions to better respond to future Air Force requirements.

The SIDC realignment and restructure is not related to sequestration actions, nor the current budget climate.


　

U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND ANNOUNCES SECOND SPACE-BASED INFRARED SYSTEM LAUNCHES

Photo:  Atlas V Launch.  Credit:  NASA/Wikimedia 

FROM: U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND

SBIRS GEO-2 launches, improves space-based capabilities
3/27/2013 - BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- In support of the Buckley missile warning and awareness mission, the second Space-Based Infrared System geosynchronous earth orbit launched into space March 19 from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.

The satellite, called GEO-2, provides more advanced space-based capabilities than Defense Support Program satellites, which are being replaced by the GEO satellites after more than four decades in operation.

"While DSP has been the workhorse for missile warning and missile defense for the last 40-plus years, SBIRS GEO takes us into the next generation with a revolutionary increase in detection capability," said Col. DeAnna Burt, 460th Operations Group commander. "The successful launch of GEO-2 continues to bring greater detection capability to the Overhead Persistent Infrared enterprise. GEO-2 will allow the 460th to provide near real time, high fidelity OPIR data to warfighters around the world."

The capabilities of the GEO-2 involve a new era of overhead infrared surveillance that will deliver unprecedented global, persistent and actionable infrared surveillance. Such resources enable the U.S. and its allies to continuously maintain global situational awareness.

SBIRS persistent surveillance capabilities enable detection and reporting of missile launches around the globe, support the nation's ballistic missile defense system, expand technical intelligence, and gather and bolster situational awareness for warfighters on the battlefield.

The GEO-2 was carried by a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. The launch team consisted of military, government civilians and contractors from the 45th Space Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla.

"The successful launch of GEO-2 is a testament to the partnership between industry, the SBIRS Space Program Office and the 460th Space Wing," Burt said.

The U.S. Air Force Infrared Space Systems Directorate at the Space and Missile Systems Center in Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., leads the SBIRS development and acquisition. Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, Calif., is the SBIRS prime contractor; Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, Azusa, Calif., is the payload integrator; and the 14th Air Force operates the SBIRS system.

THE MILSTAR SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM

 

FROM: U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND
Milstar is a joint service satellite communications system that provides secure, jam resistant, worldwide communications to meet essential wartime requirements for high priority military users. The multi-satellite constellation will link command authorities with a wide variety of resources, including ships, submarines, aircraft and ground stations.

SPACE COMMAND HAS TIPS ON HAVING HEALTHY SUPER BOWL CELEBRATION

From:  Wikimedia.

FROM: U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND
Keep health, safety during Super Bowl celebration
by Staff Sgt. Julius Delos Reyes
50th Space Wing Public Affairs

1/30/2013 - SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo -- It's that time of the year again when families and friends celebrate an American national "holiday" Feb. 3, filled with merriment and food - the Super Bowl.

Though this year's celebration will pit Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers, fans of the losing teams will still take this opportunity to watch the biggest American sporting event.

As the second largest day for food consumption after Thanksgiving, it is essential for people to take health and safety into consideration, especially when hosting a party, preparing food or going out for a celebration.

"Keep healthy eating in mind and consume food in moderation while having fun," said Staff Sgt. Vanessa Arthur, Schriever Health and Wellness Center NCO in charge. "Have healthy options available because it will encourage people to eat them."

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer tips on how to have a safe and healthy Super Bowl celebration.

Food consumption:
- When hosting a party, add healthy snacks to the menu instead of high fat foods. Eat healthy snacks before the celebration to prevent overindulging.
- Include fresh fruits and vegetables, such as apple halves or carrot sticks. There should be a variety in season.
- Many dips and dressings contain far more calories than people think. Limit portions or serve fat free or low fat dips and dressings.
- Offer foods and beverages low in fat, calories, sugars, salt and sodium.
- Serve foods and beverages that can be consumed by people with diabetes or on special diets.
- Consider food safety. Take steps to avoid serving recalled products and follow food safety guidelines to prevent illness.
- Follow rules of food safety: clean, separate, cook and chill.

Alcohol intake:
Alcohol is common during sports celebrations, especially during one of the biggest sporting events.
- Limit alcohol intake. Take steps to prevent guests from driving under the influence of alcohol.
- Only serve alcohol to guests 21 years of age and older.
- Plan ahead. Always designate a non-drinking driver before any party or celebration begins. Find unique ways to reward the driver at the party such as giving them a great spot to watch the game or letting them have the first pass at the table.
- Determine ahead of time when you'll stop serving alcohol, such as one hour before the end of the party or at the end of the third quarter of the game and begin serving coffee and dessert.
- Don't drink and drive or let others drink and drive.
- Be a helpful host by reminding guests to designate a sober driver and offer non-alcoholic beverages.

Safety:
Super Bowl parties can be fun but it's important to pay close attention to things that may cause injury and take precautions.
- Never leave children unattended.
- Avoid wearing clothing or costumes that block vision or restrict movement.
- Make sure pets can handle the excitement before placing them in new or strange situations.
- Never use generators, grills, camp stoves or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside the house, basement, garage or camper. Even when using these items outdoors, make sure they are not near an open window.
- Have a fire extinguisher nearby when cooking or using a grill in case there's an accidental flare-up.
- Have a first-aid kit in your home and vehicle to handle injuries like small cuts and bruises.
- Wear seatbelts.
- Wear appropriate protective gear when playing a pick-up game or riding bicycles, motorcycles and skateboards.

"It is essential to plan ahead to ensure the safety of the guests," said Tech. Sgt. Sarah Law, 50th Space Wing ground safety manager. "As always, be a wingman. Fans do not let fans drive drunk."

U.S. SPACE COMMAND SEEKS TO PROTECT SATELLITE CONSTELLATIONS FROM BUDGET CUTS

An Air Force tactical air control party candidate studies his GPS device before a call-for-fire exercise on the range at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 20, 2011. Candidates used a GPS system to target the exact location of a threat. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gustavo Castillo

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Despite Smaller Budget, Air Force Seeks to Protect Satellites
By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22, 2013 - Despite tremendous budget uncertainty and a shrinking bottom line, the commander of the Air Force Space Command said that he will do his best to protect all of the Air Force's satellite constellations.

Speaking with reporters at a recent meeting of the Defense Writers Group, Air Force Gen. William L. Shelton called the range of U.S. satellites a "foundational" capability.

"It doesn't matter what size the United States military becomes, we count on space and cyber capabilities to underpin the force, to enable the way we fight today, to give us the capabilities we need globally," the general said.

"You can't say, 'Well, I'll just have one less GPS satellite or one less advanced [extremely high frequency] satellite or one less [space-based radar] satellite,'" he added. "You can't create holes in the constellation and still have global capability."

Shelton said that despite fiscal uncertainty, Air Force Space Command seeks to answer growing threats from nations such as North Korea and China in the space domain and modify its satellite architecture in concert with emerging threats.

The North Koreans have tried several times to reach orbit and succeeded Dec. 11, according to North American Aerospace Defense Command officials, and Shelton said that tells the United States two things.

"One is that they can get to orbit now, but if they can get to orbit, they can also launch an [intercontinental ballistic missile]. ... That gives us lots of concerns for lots of reasons," the general said.

"What they would do in space is not as concerning right now, because they are very immature in their space program. ... [But] others around the world are very mature and have developed things that we know would be deleterious to our efforts in space," Shelton added, including China in that equation.

In January 2007, China launched with a multistage solid-fuel missile from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwestern China to destroy one of its own Fengyun-series weather satellites.

"Without talking about intelligence matters, I think it's safe to say that the Chinese didn't conduct the 2007 test and just quit," Shelton said. "They conducted another test in 2009 that, even though it was called an antiballistic missile test, certainly had [anti-satellite]-like ramifications. So I think it's safe to say that they continue in their efforts."

To examine its satellite architecture, Shelton said Air Force Space Command is conducting studies to "look at different ideas."

The advanced extremely high-frequency system, or AEHF, is the next-generation military strategic and tactical relay system for delivering protected communications to U.S. forces and several allies worldwide.

When it's fully operational, the system will consist of four crosslinked satellites in geosynchronous earth orbit, a ground mission-control center and user terminals. AEHF-1 was launched in August 2010 and AEHF-2 last May. AEHF-3 is expected to launch this fall and AEHF-4 sometime in 2017.

AEHF will provide connectivity for land, air and naval warfare, special operations, strategic nuclear operations, strategic defense, theater missile defense, and space operations and intelligence.

"If you could take the two payloads on that satellite, the tactical payload and strategic payload, and separate them onto different hosted platforms, or [make] the strategic platform a hardened, survivable platform and the tactical platform maybe not quite so hardened, ... that's certainly a path we're studying, seeing what might be most cost-efficient," Shelton explained.

For the Air Force's Space-based Infrared Systems, or SBIRS, program, a critical missile defense and warning capability, the architecture consists of a mix of geosynchronous Earth orbit or GEO satellites, payloads in highly elliptical Earth orbit, and ground hardware and software.

In missile warning, Air Force Space Command is looking at the wide-field-of-view or scanning sensor on GEO satellites and trying to determine whether or not it can host that on a platform other than SBIRS, the general said.

"It's important to note that for both advanced EHF and SBIRS, the die is cast through about 2025" because of contract commitments, Shelton said.

"I think it's safe to say in both of those cases, depending on how much money we have in 2015, we'll look to continue the study efforts to determine cost efficiency," he said.

The general said studies are ongoing for a weather satellite that will be a follow-on to the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program managed by the Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base in California.

"We're in the midst of [analyzing] alternatives right now to develop a follow-on weather satellite that will be in the mid-2020 kind of time frame, but looking at making that probably a smaller satellite and much less expensive," Shelton said.

Studies also continue for the follow-on to the Space-based Surveillance System, part of the U.S. Strategic Command's Space Surveillance Network and operated by the 1st Satellite Operations Squadron at Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado.

The SBSS satellite is the only space-based sensor in the network, operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week to collect about man-made space objects.

"We firmly believe that space-based space surveillance is something we need to continue," Shelton said. "The question is exactly what should that satellite look like?"

The Global Positioning System, a constellation of more than 24 dual-use satellites that provides positioning, velocity and timing to military and civilian users around the world, is a joint service effort directed by the Air Force.

"We're doing great on GPS," Shelton said, adding that the Air Force may look at an "augmentation, navigation-only kind of satellite that doesn't have the nuclear-detonation-detection payload on it, so we could have a fairly inexpensive satellite that addresses some lack of coverage in urban canyons, for example."

The general said he also will try very hard to protect funding for the Joint Space Operations Center Mission System.

JSPOC includes personnel from all four services and from the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada, along with facilities and equipment needed to give U.S. Strategic Command's Joint Functional Component Command for Space the ability to plan and execute command and control of worldwide space forces.

"The JSPOC Mission System out at Vandenberg [Air Force Base in California] underpins all space operations," Shelton said. "Everything we do starts with what happens at the JSPOC."

SPACE FENSE TO BE FULLY OPERATIONAL BY 2020



Muai GEODSS
Maui Ground-based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance achieved intial operating capability on 1 Oct 1982. (courtesy photo)

FROM: U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND
Space Fence program moving forward
by Patty Welsh
66th Air Base Group Public Affairs

12/21/2012 - HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center here recently put out a request for proposal to move the Space Fence program forward.

Space Fence will be a system of up to two land-based radars, the first site located at Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, to track objects entering Earth's orbit. According to program officials, it will form the foundation of improved space situational awareness by expanding the ability to detect, track, identify and characterize orbiting objects such as commercial and military satellites, smaller objects, maneuvering satellites, break-up events and lower inclination objects.

"Space situational awareness is a continual concern and challenge for U.S. and ally nations," said Ken Francois, Space Fence program manager. "The Space Fence program will increase the capability to provide predictability in reducing the chance of a collision or attack."

The RFP is for the final development and construction of the Space Fence Operations Center, Site 1, and an option for Site 2. It is a full and open competition that will conclude with a contract award, currently anticipated in spring 2013. The award will bring the program forward to final system development, fielding and initial operational capability.

During a Defense Acquisition Board held in August, some changes were made to the program's acquisition strategy.

"The most significant change is that we are moving to an incremental approach. Increment 1 includes the Space Operations Center and Site 1 facilities construction and radar build," said Francois. "Increment 2 includes Site 2 and system integration. This approach maximizes our efficient use of resources and will allow us to reduce costs to the Defense Department and the Air Force, ultimately saving money for the taxpayer."

A lot of previous work got the program to this point.

In early 2011, awards were made to Lockheed Martin and Raytheon for an 18-month period of performance to develop preliminary system designs and prototypes and conduct radar performance analyses, evaluations and other technical activities.

As part of that, two preliminary design reviews for the Space Fence program were completed with final events demonstrating working radar prototypes capable of detecting and tracking a resident space object.

"The PDRs were conducted through a series of four detailed incremental reviews, leading up to the two-day final events," said Francois. "This approach was used so the government could review various aspects of the designs over time and provide timely feedback on any issues."

The incremental reviews included overall system design and architecture, radar hardware and software configuration items, allocated baseline, logistics, facilities, test, modeling and simulation along with the radar prototype demonstration. Following the reviews, the contractors worked on risk reduction activities and design maturation.

"All the work up to now and as we go forward is so we can ensure the mature technologies that are needed are available and to reduce risks associated with the program," said Francois.

Initial operational capability for Space Fence is anticipated in 2017 and full operational capability in 2020.

SUCCESSFUL U.S.-UK TALKS IN NEW BOSTON ON OAKHANGER TRACKING STATION

Members of New Boston Air Force Station, N.H., Air Force Space Command and the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense held talks for the first time at NBAFS Nov. 7 and 8.

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
U.S., U.K. talks prove success at New Boston
by Staff Sgt. Robert Cloys
50th Space Wing Public Affairs

11/20/2012 - NEW BOSTON AIR FORCE STATION, N.H. -- For the first time, New Boston Air Force Station, New Hampshire, hosted talks with the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defense Nov. 7 and 8.

Twice a year for the past seven years, the United States, through Air Force Space Command, and the U.K. Ministry of Defense, met to discuss issues and the site status of Oakhanger Tracking Station, call sign LION. The talks typically alternate between Oakhanger and Air Force Space Command Headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. After the spring 2012 talks in England however, the 23rd Space Operations Squadron volunteered to host the fall meetings.

LION is a geographically separated unit of the 23 SOPS who oversee operations, maintenance and facility support for the site.

The base is a British military installation with a U.S. military mission and is physically located in the village of Oakhanger, Hampshire, U.K. The site has conducted operations in support of the U.S. Air Force since 1978.

The unique partnership is mutually beneficial. The U.S. is able to strategically position its antennas, and in return, the U.K. is able to utilize those antennas to operate British communications satellites.

"The United Kingdom is one of our strongest partners and this relationship is very important to both countries," said Lt. Col. David Hanson, 23 SOPS commander. "Plus, it allows the U.K. to have access to space."

Topics covered at the talks included spectrum issues, support plan annexes, a five-year project outlook, site familiarization and finances. Attendees included Squadron Leader Dempster Hamilton, TCS Oakhanger base commander, Maj. Nate Case, the 23 SOPS operations officer assigned to LION and other notable distinguished visitors from both the U.S. and U.K.

"These discussions are integral to understanding and solving complex foreign relations, contracting, financing and general state of health issues at Oakhanger Tracking Station," said Hanson. "As LION is the busiest of the seven tracking stations in the AFSCN, it is important we continue to meet with our British counterparts to work through these issues and ensure operations and support functions continue to flourish."

　

　

U.S. SPACE COMMAND AND THE GREEN MODEL

The 21st Civil Engineer Squadron installed 24 solar panels at the Peterson Aquatics Center to help heat the approximately 225,000 gallons of water in the pool. The solar panels and other efficiencies have helped reduce energy consumption at the pool by 60 percent. (U.S. Air Force photo)

FROM: U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND
Wing building "green" model for command
by Lea Johnson
21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer


11/9/2012 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Things around base are looking a little more green as the 21st Civil Engineer Squadron completes multiple energy saving projects around Peterson Air Force Base.

According to Randy Pieper, 21st CES resource efficiency manager, in 2010 the Command Energy Management Steering Group developed a plan to ensure that Air Force Space Command met Air Force goals for increasing energy efficiency in Building 1, the Hartinger Building, reduce infrastructure costs by 20 percent by 2020, reduce facility energy intensity 30 percent by 2015, reduce facility water intensity 16 percent by 2015, and increase use of renewable energy to 25 percent of total consumption by 2025.

To help AFSPC meet that goal, the 21st CES designed a series of projects that would increase energy efficiency and cut operations and maintenance costs. These projects have been so successful that the Hartinger Building has been designated as part of AFSPC's 11-point road map in the command's energy conservation strategy.

According to Pieper, the building was also recently submitted to the Department of Energy for the Better Buildings Federal Award.

"This is an award that recognizes individual buildings that have innovative technologies or significant energy reduction," he said. "The building has been designated to be the 'model' for the command."

Lights, computers and people all create a lot of extra heat in the building. Most of the time this heat goes into the atmosphere as wasted energy. To help reuse the heat that would otherwise be waste, a water-to-water heat pump was installed in the building.

"Heat pumps use electricity via refrigeration compressors to 'pump' heat from one place to another instead of generating heat directly. Therefore, they can be two to three times more energy efficient than conventional water heaters," Pieper said.

Before the pump was installed, the chilled water system took heat out of the building and transferred it to the outside as exhaust. Now, the heat is moved to areas of the building with fewer people and computers that tend to be cooler, which will save an anticipated $22,000 in heating costs.

The 21st CES also increased the efficiency of the Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNet) and Non-Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (NIPRNet) server rooms primary heating ventilation and air conditioning system.

"It's not surprising that server racks are very energy intense," Pieper said.

Having the server rooms, which tend to be very warm, on a separate HVAC system will increase the overall efficiency of the system.

The 21st CES just awarded a project to modify the chilled water system so that the server rooms are independent from the building HVAC system. They will also be adding a "dry cooler" to provide cooling during cold months without running the air conditioning compressor.

"This reduces the cooling load on the main chilled water system," Pieper said.

Another measure the 21st CES put in place to improve the heating system in the Hartinger Building includes three existing boilers being replaced with two high efficiency condensing boilers.

"Condensing boilers allow us to lower the hot water temperature for the heating system so only the heat that is required in the building is provided," Pieper said.

According to Pieper, the new boilers are 92 percent efficient, compared to the previous boilers that were about 83 percent efficient.

The 21st CES is also currently replacing the interior lights in the Hartinger Building with new light-emitting diode fixtures.

Pieper said the new LED lights use 46 percent less electricity than the old lights.

In addition to the multitude of energy saving projects in the Hartinger Building, the 21st CES also installed 24 new solar panels at the Peterson Aquatics Center.

The solar panels are used to help heat the approximately 225,000 gallons of water in the pool, Pieper said.

To aid the solar panels, the 21st CES also installed a heat recovery system to take the warm air from the building and heat recovered from the building's air conditioning system to heat the water.

"Since August, the energy used to heat the pool has dropped by nearly 60 percent," Pieper said.

Sun shades were also installed in the children's pool area to prevent the building from getting as hot, and to use less air conditioning.

Temperatures in the children's pool area dropped about 15-20 degrees compared to previous summers, Pieper said.

All these changes are designed to help the Air Force meet Department of Defense energy reduction goals.

　

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE POWERS FORWARD TOWARD ENERGY GOALS

Space supports
Space Duty Technician Staff Sgt Cristina Kavanagh, deployed from Buckley Air Force Base, Colo., and Space Duty Officer 1st Lt. Tanya Frazier, deployed from F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., provide space-based theatre ballistic warning to U.S. forces in the Southwest Asia theatre from the Combat Operations Space Cell inside the Combined Air Operations Center. They also run Global Positioning Satellite predictions to ensure GPS accuracy and support Personnel Recovery/Combat Search and Rescue missions when necessary via space support. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Scott Wagers)

FROM: U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND
Buckley endeavors to meet, exceed energy goals
by Staff Sgt. Kali L. Gradishar
460th Space Wing Public Affairs

11/1/2012 - BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- For a base with a main mission that requires immense power sources and an abundance of electricity, the task of reducing energy consumption is no easy feat. However, Buckley is on par with researching the latest and greatest in efficient technologies and implementing them if found cost effective.

"The Air Force is known for its innovation, and researchers and scientists in our labs are working diligently to help develop the game-changing technologies that will be essential to future operations," said Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley at the National Clean Energy Summit 5.0 - Power of Choice in Las Vegas in August.

"Experts in the 460th Civil Engineer Squadron are doing their part as they research efforts in the commercial industry, new and improved technologies, and initiatives within Air Force Space Command," said Ken Webb, 460th CES energy manager. "They explore how much energy the technology saves and if such schemes are employable at Buckley. They also research how much it would cost to run and if the technology is cost effective."

All efforts to reduce Buckley's use of resources fall in line with requirements to reduce energy and water consumption.

"Per federal mandates and Defense Department guidance, we have to reduce energy (intensity) by 30 percent by 2015 and water (intensity) by 26 percent by 2020," Webb said. "That's an intensity metric. It's not necessarily a complete reduction. Since Buckley Air Force Base is growing - we get new base partners and we're also growing the mission - the goal is to build new energy-efficient facilities.

"By building low energy-intensity buildings," Webb noted, "we're being more responsible with the energy we consume."

Webb explained that Buckley is trying to exceed mandated goals to bolster command-wide achievements. Within AFSPC, Buckley accounts for four percent of energy usage.

"In terms of energy efficiency and intensity we're actually below the Air Force average, and we're one of the more energy efficient bases in Space Command currently," Webb said. "Our concern now is energy demand - reducing our consumption during peak periods."

Reducing peak-hour energy consumption can be especially important in a four-season state where residents see all types of weather. Buckley's location requires extra consideration for heating and cooling technology and costs to accommodate for both cold and hot temperatures.

"We see all temperature ranges, for the most part, so we have to be prepared for hot climates and cold climates," Webb explained. "That increases our workload. Geographical location makes us have to be more creative for renewable technologies."

Projects recently completed and those currently being implemented create a more energy-thrifty installation.

Solar panels topping some base buildings and a solar field supply a portion of the energy for the base. Programmed systems regulate temperatures during off times to reduce heating costs. Also, new LED lights now line Aspen Street. The rest of the 460th Space Wing parking lot and street lights will gradually follow suit.

"After replacing nearly 500 light fixtures on base, expected savings from the LED project alone reach $42,000 a year," Webb said. "With the solar panels, temperature regulation and LED lighting projects, you can find a lot of buildings have subtle technologies added to them."

Less subtle is the potential project to update the Buckley Exchange. Tested previously at shoppettes in the continental U.S., energy-minded professionals brainstormed and implemented ways to make the quick-stop shops less of an energy sponge.

"Estimated savings in the shoppettes was around 30 to 40 percent. They ended up receiving about 45 percent actual savings, and now they're rolling out those changes that they made to 270 or so shoppettes across the CONUS," Webb noted. "There is hope that if they get the same sort of results at the Buckley Exchange, we'll have one of the most efficient exchanges in the Air Force.

Another major project currently funded for design under the energy manager's scope is a geothermal system shared between 10 AFSPC facilities, a potential endeavor should it prove cost effective after design and analysis.

"Not only is it a shared geothermal system, it also shares the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system already installed," Webb explained. "It's developing five technologies into one project."
"We're still developing, so it's not 100 percent, but it's what we like to call our second generational projects. We're trying things that are more unique," Webb said. "We feel that the need to be creative on an already energy-efficient base is what we should be doing."

While there are a number of highly technical and large projects ongoing to decrease resource consumption, all Team Buckley members can contribute to consumption reduction efforts.

"Air Force driven initiatives are important, but it is critical to remember that Airmen play a key role in achieving our energy objectives," Donley said during the National Clean Energy Summit. "We will look to their continued creativity and focus on energy to obtain an assured energy advantage in air, space, and cyberspace."

Webb advises people to practice basic energy-saving habits such as turning off lights when not in the room and turning off monitors at the end of the day or when not in use. Offices should also consolidate appliances in the work center and consider replacing old, inefficient appliances if possible, he said. Using windows for lighting when feasible during the day can also reduce electricity usage.

"Additionally, people can report any deficient items, such as leaking water fixtures and improper lighting, their facility managers who then report to the 460th CES customer service. For example, a leaking toilet can waist more than 35,000 gallons, equating to approximately $400 per month," Webb added.

Across the board, the energy manager works with a team of professionals to ensure Buckley is taking the right steps to becoming as energy efficient as possible.

"We're looking at our mission operations and how we can do it more efficiently, and that's a big part of Air Force Space Command as a whole," Webb noted. "We know we can, but the question is how. That's the next big hurdle for us."

　

　

　

U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND SATELLITE MILESTONE

 

The Air Force Space Command-operated Defense Support Program (DSP) satellites are a key part of North America’s early warning systems. DSP satellites help protect the United States and its allies by detecting missile launches, space launches and nuclear detonations
 

FROM: U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND
30th Anniversary Milestone: First DSP satellite, I MEWS 1, launched aboard a Titan IIIC missile
11/6/2012 - Peterson AFB, Colo. -- Air Force Space Command is celebrating its 30th Anniversary! Here is a significant milestone from the command's history ...

Following the end of the MIDAS program, plans to deploy an operational system led to the Integrated Missile Early Warning Satellite program, or IMEWS. Unlike MIDAS, which was designed to use large numbers of satellites in low Earth orbit, IMEWS consisted of a smaller number of satellites in geosynchronous orbit.

On November 6, 1970, the U.S. Air Force launched a classified satellite on a Titan IIIC rocket from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. This was the first of many DSP satellites to be launched over the next 30 years.

U.S. AIR FORCE HISTORY

 

FROM: U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND
Maui Ground-based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance achieved intial operating capability on 1 Oct 1982. Photo Credit: U.S. Air Force Space Command.

AFSPC Milestone: Maui's GEODSS system achieved Initial Operating Capability
10/22/2012 - Peterson AFB, Colo. -- Air Force Space Command is celebrating its 30th Anniversary! Here is a significant milestone from the command's history ...

Maui's Ground-based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance (GEODSS) achieved Initial Operating Capability on 1 Oct 1982. The current primary mission of the detachment is to detect, track and identify all tasked space objects within its area of coverage. The unit usually provides data on deep space objects in the orbits from 3,000 to 22,000 miles, although it has a limited near earth detection capability. Satellite information is provided to the Joint Space Operations Center at Vandenberg AFB, California. Additionally, GEODSS provides Space Object Identification (SOI) to the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio.

U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND HISTORY

 

FROM:  U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND

Riding twin plumes of flame produced by its Solid Rocket Boosters, Space Shuttle Atlantis clears the tower as it launches on mission STS-46. Credit: NASA

AFSPC MIlestone: Two DSCS-III satellites launched from the Space Shuttle "Atlantis"
10/3/2012 - Peterson AFB, Colo. -- Air Force Space Command is celebrating its 30th Anniversary! Here is a significant milestone from the command's history ...

Lift-off of the Space Shuttle "Atlantis" occurred on 3 October 1985, at 11:15 a.m. EDT, from Pad A, Launch Complex 39, Kennedy Space Center. Its cargo was classified, but it was reported that the shuttle carried two (USA-11 and USA-12) Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS-III) satellites, which were propelled to geosynchronous orbit, 22,500 miles above the Earth by an Inertial Upper Stage (IUS). The mission was deemed successful.

Each DSCS-III satellite had a design life of ten years, although several of the DSCS satellites have far exceeded their design life expectancy.

1ST SPACE OPEATIONS SQUADRON CELABRATES ONE YEAR ORS-1 ANNIVERSARY

FROM: U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND
Col. James Ross, 50th Space Wing commander, celebrates Operationally Responsive Space-1's latest milestone with the 1st Space Operation Squadron here Sept. 28

1 SOPS celebrates one year with ORS-1
by Staff Sgt. Robert Cloys
50th Space Wing Public Affairs

10/2/2012 - SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The 1st Space Operations Squadron celebrated one year of sending operational data to U.S. Central Command via Operationally Responsive Space-1 Sept. 29.

Launched in June 2011, ORS-1 is the first satellite in the Operationally Responsive Space Program and Air Force Space Command's first dedicated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance asset providing critical imagery capability to CENTCOM.

"The significance of this milestone cannot be understated for 1 SOPS, the 50th Space Wing and even Air Force Space Command. In many ways, ORS-1 is redefining how we do satellite operations," said Col. Tommy Roberts, 50th Operations Group commander.

"Thanks to the lessons learned and the innovations during the past year, 1 SOPS is aggressively moving this mission area forward on numerous fronts."

Taking only three years to develop from concept to launch and orbit, ORS-1 distinguished itself through its rapid deployment.

"With ORS-1 Air Force Space Command proved it could deliver exceptional space capabilities faster and cheaper to meet urgent needs of the joint force," said Lt. Col. Mike Manor, 1 SOPS commander, during a ceremony here Sept. 28. "This system has demonstrated innovation is not just a buzz word, but alive and well in the 50th Space Wing, and has truly become the hallmark of how our squadron operates."

ORS-1 was built maximizing the use of existing capabilities, systems and architectures. Its payload technology was derived from a camera developed for use aboard U-2 spy planes decades ago. By attaching a larger telescope contractors gave the system adequate resolution from orbit.

Innovative thinking led to success operationally as well as recognition.

Shortly after 1 SOPS took satellite control authority, C4ISR Journal, an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance industry magazine named the satellite system to its Big-25 list as one of the top 25 most important ISR concepts of the year. The journal then listed ORS-1 as a Top Five Sensor in 2011. The satellite also received a nomination for the Air Force Space Command Getty award as well as two others.

More recently, ORS-1 was awarded the 2012 Mission Sustainment Integrated Product Team award in September for providing urgent-need imaging to CENTCOM at 20 percent of the cost of traditional satellite systems.

ORS-1 is proof that the Air Force can respond to the needs of the warfighter efficiently.

"During the past year, I've observed a squadron full of people working diligently to make sure that ORS-1 far exceeded the user's expectations," said 1st Lt. Sarah Stewart, ORS-1 space vehicle engineer. "It's amazing how far we have come since launch and early orbit. ORS-1 has continuously proven that with hard work and dedication, you can do more with less."

With such a successful start, Manor is sure there is much more to come.
"We're taking a moment to celebrate, but this is just the beginning for our team and this outstanding satellite," he said.


　

U.S. SPACE FENCE FACILITY TO BEGIN OPERATIONS IN 2017

MARSHALL ISLANDS
After almost four decades under US administration as the easternmost part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Marshall Islands attained independence in 1986 under a Compact of Free Association. Compensation claims continue as a result of US nuclear testing on some of the atolls between 1947 and 1962. The Marshall Islands hosts the US Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA) Reagan Missile Test Site, a key installation in the US missile defense network.  From:  CIA World Factbook.

FROM: U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND
Basing of first U.S. Space Fence facility announced

9/25/2012 - Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. -- The Air Force will base a Space Fence radar site on Kwajalein Island in the Republic of the Marshall Islands with Initial Operations Capability (IOC) planned for fiscal year 2017.

The Fence will provide a critical Space Surveillance Network capability needed to give warfighters the ability to maintain a full and accurate orbital catalog, ensure orbital safety, and perform conjunction assessments.

Air Force Space Command will award a contract to build the radar, which will be capable of detecting, tracking, identifying and characterizing space objects in low and medium earth orbits. Construction is expected to begin September 2013 and is planned to take 48 months to complete construction and testing.

Until the final design is determined, it is unknown exactly how many personnel will be required to construct the radar site. After construction is complete and the radar is operational, approximately 10-15 contractor personnel are projected for the long-term work force at Kwajalein to maintain the Space Fence radar. A Support Agreement will be established between Air Force Space Command and the U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll/Reagan Test Site for site support and facilities maintenance. Contractor operations and maintenance support for the radar site will fall under the responsibility of the 21st Space Wing.

Space Fence is a radar system operating in the S-Band frequency range, to perform uncued detection, tracking, and accurate measurement of orbiting objects in low earth (primary) and medium earth (secondary) orbital regimes.

Space Fence will provide precise positional data on orbiting objects and will be the most accurate radar in the Space Surveillance Network. Space Fence data will be fed to the Joint Space Operations Center (JSpOC) at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Data from the Space Fence radar will be integrated with other SSN data to provide a comprehensive SSA and integrated space picture.

The Space Fence will provide enhanced space surveillance capabilities to detect and track orbiting objects such as commercial and military satellites and space debris. The Fence will have greater sensitivity, allowing it to detect, track and measure an object the size of a softball orbiting more than 1,200 miles in space. Because it is an uncued tracking system, it will provide evidence of satellite break-ups, collisions, or unexpected maneuvers of satellites

　

U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND HISTORY: FIRST WIDEBAND GLOBAL SATCOM SATELLITE

FROM: U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND
On 11 October 2007, the first Wideband Global SATCOM satellite was launched by an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla. WGS is DoD's highest capacity communications satellite providing increased bandwidth and high data rate and long haul communications for marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen worldwide. Photo Credit: U.S. Air Force Space Command.

AFSPC Milestone: First Wideband Global SATCOM satellite launched

8/30/2012 - Peterson AFB, Colo. -- As Air Force Space Command approaches its 30th Anniversary on 1 Sep, here is a significant milestone from the command's history...

On 11 October 2007, the first Wideband Global SATCOM satellite was launched by an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla. WGS is DoD's highest capacity communications satellite providing increased bandwidth and high data rate and long haul communications for marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen worldwide. The 3rd Space Operations Squadron at Schriever AFB, Colo., operates the WGS satellites.

The WGS system is a constellation of highly capable military communications satellites that leverage cost-effective methods and technological advances in the communications satellite industry. Each WGS satellite provides service in both the X and Ka frequency bands, with the unprecedented ability to cross-band between the two frequencies onboard the satellite. Each WGS satellite is digitally channelized and transponded. These characteristics provide a quantum leap in communications capacity, connectivity and flexibility for U.S. military forces and international partners while seamlessly integrating with current and future X- and Ka-band terminals.

Just one WGS satellite provides more SATCOM capacity than the entire DSCS constellation. International partners participating on the program are Australia, Canada, Denmark, Luxembourg, The Netherlands and New Zealand.

.

SPACE COMMAND HISTORY: LAUNCH OF FIRST BLOCK II GPS SATELLITE

FROM: U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND
The Global Positioning System is a constellation of orbiting satellites that provides navigation data to military and civilian users all over the world.  Credit:  U.S.  Air Force Space Command.

AFSPC Milestone: First Block II GPS satellite launched
8/28/2012 - Peterson AFB, Colo. -- As Air Force Space Command approaches its 30th Anniversary on 1 Sep, here is a significant milestone from the command's history...

On 14 February 1989, the first Block II GPS satellite was launched, marking the beginning of the deployment of the operational constellation. The Global Positioning System is a constellation of orbiting satellites that provides navigation data to military and civilian users all over the world. The constellation is designed and operated as a 24-satellite system, consisting of six orbital planes, with a minimum of four satellites per plane.

GPS satellites orbit the earth every 12 hours, emitting continuous navigation signals. With the proper equipment, users can receive these signals to calculate time, location and velocity. The signals are so accurate, time can be figured to within a millionth of a second, velocity within a fraction of a mile per hour and location to within 100 feet. Receivers have been developed for use in aircraft, ships and land vehicles, as well as for hand carrying.

GPS capabilities were put to the test during the United States' involvement in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Allied troops relied heavily on GPS to navigate the featureless Arabian Desert. During operations Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle and Iraqi Freedom, GPS contributions increased significantly. During OIF, the GPS satellite constellation allowed the delivery of 5,500 GPS-guided Joint Direct Attack Munitions with pinpoint precision (to about 10 feet) and with minimal collateral damage. This was almost one-fourth of the total 29,199 bombs and missiles coalition forces released against Iraqi targets. GPS continues to fill a crucial role in air, ground and sea operations guiding countless service members and equipment to ensure they are on time and on target.

U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND: THE LAUNCH OF SPUTNIK

FROM: U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND
The USSR launches Sputnik I, the world's first successful artificial satellite on 4 Oct 1957. Pictured here is a model of Sputnik I from the Missile & Space Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.


AFSPC Milestone: USSR launched Sputnik, starting the space race

8/26/2012 - Peterson AFB, Colo. -- As Air Force Space Command approaches its 30th Anniversary on 1 Sep, here is a significant milestone which led to the creation of a new command responsible for the space domain...

On 4 October 1957, the USSR launches Sputnik I, the world's first successful artificial satellite. The surprise success of the Russian's launch began the Space Age and triggered the Space Race, a part of the larger Col War. It also lead to the launch of Explorer I, the first US satellite to go into orbit, launched from then Cape Canaveral Missile Annex, Fla. approximately 4 months later. Mercury batteries powered the high-power transmitter on Explorer I for 31 days and the low-power transmitter for 105 days. Explorer 1 stopped transmission of data on May 23, 1958 when its batteries died, but remained in orbit for more than 12 years. It has been followed by more than 90 scientific spacecraft in the Explorer series.

Additionally, the launch of Sputnik ushered in new political, military, technological, and scientific developments. The public reaction to the "Sputnik crisis" led to the creation of the Advanced Research Projects Agency (renamed the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency or DARPA in 1972), NASA, and an increase in U.S. government spending on scientific research and education.

OFF-WORLD MILITARY SUPPORT

FROM: U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND

　
110927-N-PO203-165 KODIAK, Alaska (Sept. 27, 2011) The Office of Naval Research-sponsored tactical satellite IV (TacSat-4) lifts-off from the Alaskan Aerospace Corporation's Kodiak Launch Complex aboard a Minotaur IV+ launch vehicle. Built by the Naval Research Laboratory and Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, TacSat-4 will allow troops using existing radios to communicate on-the-move and from obscure regions. (U.S. Navy photo by John F. Williams/Released)


Supporting warfighters from space

Posted 8/17/2012
by Capt. Chris Sukach
Air Force Space Command Public Affairs

8/17/2012 - HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- Air Force Space Command Vice Commander Lt. Gen. John Hyten spoke at the 15th Annual Space and Missile Defense Conference here Aug. 14 and discussed how the American way of war has fundamentally changed thanks to space.

He used historical examples to illustrate his point and contrasted those with support provided in more recent conflicts like operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

Hyten highlighted the importance of knowledge and communication in warfare, emphasizing how critical it is for warfighters of today to know the lay of the land.

"It's really simple," the general said addressing the audience of space professionals. "My job, and the job of most people in this room, is to ensure no American warfighter, no American Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine ever has to worry again about what's over that hill or what's around the next corner. No American in combat should ever again lack the ability to communicate."

The situational awareness space assets provide has grown vastly since 1991 and Operation Desert Storm, which is largely regarded as America's first space war, the general said. He explained GPS was not integrated into systems like it is today and that troops supplemented the few military grade receivers they had with commercial ones duct taped to their vehicles.

Today you'd be hard pressed to find a tactical unit that doesn't use real-time global positioning, navigation and timing capabilities, but the contributions of GPS go beyond just military application, he continued.

"It touches almost everything we do--pay-at-the-pump gas--you probably use GPS a dozen times a day and don't even know it," Hyten said of the integration of GPS into daily civilian life.

He also shared while the Defense Satellite Communications System satellites provided the backbone of the command, control and computer network during Desert Storm, the data provided by the system was small by today's standards.

"One WGS [Wideband Global SATCOM] satellite has more bandwidth than the entire SATCOM constellation in the first Gulf War," said the general, contrasting the technologies.

Because satellites orbit the world, the capabilities space assets provide play an integral part in meeting the needs of today's warfighters wherever they may be, he explained.

"Our joint warfighers depend on space--they depend on the asymmetrical advantage it creates--and there is no going back," Hyten said.