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52-507: During the 1960s, one of the most important projects that the United States civil space program was involved in dealt with meteorology and weather forecasting. Unbeknownst to many, the U.S. military services were also starting up a weather satellite program. This program, the DMSP, would relay important weather and climate data to the military for more effective operations. From the onset of

104-594: A Sun-synchronous orbit ; passing over the north and south poles, the satellite would see different strips of the Earth at the same local time each day. The DMSP satellites had periods of roughly 101.0 minutes, so they would orbit the Earth 14.3 times in 24 hours. This period combined with the Sun-synchronous orbit would have the satellite pass over the whole surface of the planet twice a day. The images acquired were relayed to

156-566: A collision probability as high as 44%. DMSP F15 and Meteor 1-26 were considered to be the prime candidates for the encounter. The operations center, which announced the possible collision, didn't identify the satellites involved but third party observers determined the most likely candidates. The two did not collide. The NOAA-16 and NOAA-17 weather satellites were based on the same technology as DMSP satellites. NOAA-17 disintegrated in orbit on 10 March 2021. NOAA-16 broke up in November 2015. DMSP

208-461: A deputy commanding general each for operations, support, and transformation. It also organized oversight of Space Deltas 2 to 9 under the deputy commanding general (operations) by creating five mission area teams (MAT): intelligence, battle management C3, componency, combat power, and information mobility. On 22 April 2021, the Space and Missile Systems Center was realigned from Space Operations Command to

260-498: A gradual takeover. While Air Force Space Command had sought the mission since its activation, Air Force Systems Command had fought the change at every turn. Delta II and Atlas E launches transferred first, followed by the Atlas II , Titan II , and Titan IV . On 1 October 1990, Air Force Systems Command transferred Patrick Air Force Base , Cape Canaveral Air Force Station , and Vandenberg Air Force Base to Air Force Space Command. On

312-545: A time in case it needed to be called up for launch in the coming years, and in the aftermath of the failure of DMSP 5D-3/F19, the USAF was reconsidering the future of DMSP-5D3 F-20. However, in late 2016, the USAF began scrapping DMSP-5D3 F-20. Space program A space program is an organized effort by a government or a company with a goal related to outer space . Lists of space programs include: Air Force Space Command Space Operations Command ( SpOC )

364-552: Is monitoring the expanding debris field, and "will issue conjunction warnings if necessary". The cause of the explosion was the rupturing of an onboard battery due to a design flaw (no collision with another object took place). On 11 February 2016, a power failure left both the command-and-control subsystem and its backup without the ability to reach the satellite's processor, according to the U.S. Air Force Space Command investigation released in July 2016 that also announced that DMSP 5D-3/F19

416-536: Is the United States Space Force 's space operations , cyber operations , and intelligence field command . Headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base , Colorado , it consists of its mission deltas, and garrison commands. It was established on 1 September 1982 as Space Command ( SPACECOM ), the first dedicated space command in the United States Armed Forces . On 15 November 1985, it

468-547: The 1st Space Wing on 1 January 1983. Major transfers from Strategic Air Command included Peterson Air Force Base , Thule Air Base , Sondrestrom Air Base , Clear Air Force Station , and responsibility for the creation of Falcon Air Force Station . By 1984, Strategic Air Command ceased to be responsible for space operations, transferring the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program and Defense Support Program , as well as operational responsibility for

520-457: The 50th Network Operations Group became Space Delta 6 for cyberspace operations , the 544th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group became Space Delta 6 for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance , the 50th Operations Group became Space Delta 8 for navigation warfare and satellite communications , and the 750th Operations Group became Space Delta 9 for orbital warfare . The 21st Space Wing and 50th Space Wing

572-464: The 544th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group . The 21st Operations Group was replaced by Space Delta 2 for space domain awareness , the 721st Operations Group was replaced by Space Delta 3 for space electromagnetic warfare , the 460th Operations Group combined with elements of the 21st Operations Group to form Space Delta 4 for missile warning , the 614th Air Operations Center became Space Delta 5 for command and control ,

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624-686: The Air Force Network Integration Center , and Air Force Spectrum Management Office . In 2013, the Space Innovation and Development Center (previously the Space Warfare Center) was inactivated and merged with the Air Force Warfare Center . In 2018, the cyber mission and Twenty-Fourth Air Force were transferred to Air Combat Command leaving Air Force Space Command with sole responsibility for space forces. When

676-649: The Data Acquisition and Processing Program , and the DAPP acronym is sometimes used for these satellites. Eight satellites were launched using Atlas E launch vehicles between 1982 and 1995. Three were launched aboard Titan II vehicles between 1997 and 2003. One has been launched on a Delta IV rocket. The most recent launch of a DMSP satellite, DMSP-F19, occurred on 3 April 2014, from Vandenberg aboard an Atlas V launch vehicle. The DSAP-1 (Defense Satellite Application Program Block 1) satellites series, also known as P-35,

728-670: The Defense Meteorological Support Program . Space forces proved so decisive that the Gulf War was coined the "first space war" by General Merrill McPeak and its status was elevated within the Air Force. In 1991, Air Force Space Command underwent a major reorganization, inactivating the 9th Space Division and Space Communications Division and replacing it with the 30th Space Wing at Vandenberg AFB and 45th Space Wing at Patrick AFB for space launches. In 1992, it replaced

780-518: The Global War on Terrorism . In 2009, the Air Force decided to consolidate its nuclear forces, split between Air Force Space Command's Twentieth Air Force missiles and Air Combat Command 's Eighth Air Force bombers, under Air Force Global Strike Command . Twentieth Air Force was transferred on 1 December 2009, however Air Force Space Command had been assigned the cyberspace mission in the same year, assuming responsibility for Twenty-Fourth Air Force ,

832-461: The Military Strategic and Tactical Relay and Global Positioning System , both of which were in development. In 1985, Space Command activated the 2d Space Wing and renamed to Air Force Space Command on 15 November, to distinguish itself from Naval Space Command and the new United States Space Command . In 1986, Air Force Space Command established the 3rd Space Support Wing and inactivated

884-463: The Space Badge and the final emblem drew on it for most of its elements. The centrally dominant globe represents the earth as viewed from space, the earth being both the origin and control point for all space satellites. The lines of latitude and longitude emphasize the global nature of Air Force space operations. The emblem is provided its distinctive appearance by two symmetric ellipses representing

936-534: The Space Shuttle in partnership with NASA prompted major internal competition between the Air Force's major commands for internal control and to transform itself into an operational major command. Air Force Systems Command's Space and Missile Systems Organization had responsibility for military development of the shuttle, but it also sought operational responsibility as it was responsible for space launches. Aerospace Defense Command argued that its responsibility for

988-485: The United States Space Force was established as an independent service on 20 December 2019, Air Force Space Command was redesignated as United States Space Force and served as its interim headquarters, but remained part of the U.S. Air Force. Fourteenth Air Force was redesignated as Space Operations Command, however its wings, along with the Space and Missile Systems Center's 61st Air Base Group , were realigned to report directly to United States Space Force. In June 2020,

1040-432: The space surveillance system gave it the requisite experience required for shuttle operations. Traditional air defense had also lost its importance, and Aerospace Defense Command saw space operations as a means to preserve its existence. Strategic Air Command and Military Airlift Command , which served as the Air Force's lead on transportation, also argued they should have responsibility. In 1980, Aerospace Defense Command

1092-548: The 1st Space Wing with the 21st Space Wing , the 2d Space Wing with the 50th Space Wing , and inactivated the 3d Space Support Group. In 1993, Air Force Space Command was assigned responsibility for intercontinental ballistic missiles. It centralized its space forces under the Fourteenth Air Force and its missile forces under the 20th Air Force , while also activating the Space Warfare Center . In 2001, following

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1144-726: The Aerospace Defense Center and Cheyenne Mountain Support Group. In 1989, the 73d Space Surveillance Group was activated under Air Force Space Command, centralizing its space surveillance capabilities. Unlike Strategic Air Command, Air Force Systems Command was reluctant to transfer over its space assets. The Air Force Satellite Control Network was not reassigned to Air Force Space Command until 1987. The Combined Space Operations Center would not be fully transferred over until 1993 Space launch would remain under Air Force Systems Command until 1990, when Air Force Space Command began

1196-535: The Air Force established Space Command as a major command, creating the first operational space command within the United States Armed Forces . When Space Command was established, it was headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base , Colorado and consisted of the Aerospace Defense Center and Cheyenne Mountain Support Group . In 1983, Strategic Air Command began to transfer its space and missile warning, systems, bases, and units to Space Command, establishing

1248-409: The DMSP program has proven itself to be a valuable tool in scheduling and protecting military operations on land, at sea, and in the air. In December 1972, DMSP data was declassified and made available to the civil scientific community. On 1 June 1998, the control and maintenance of the satellites were transferred to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in order to reduce costs. DMSP

1300-547: The DMSP program, knowledge of its existence was limited to "need-to-know" personnel. The United States Congress had assigned a substantial budget towards the civil weather satellite program; if knowledge of a second military program came out, it would have been hard for the military to justify it. Initial operations of early DMSP systems provided radio return of cloud-cover imagery for planning of U.S. high-resolution photographic reconnaissance and surveillance missions, which utilized film-return systems . DMSP satellites operated in

1352-508: The Earth and received by two command and readout stations established at retired Nike missile sites located near Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington State and Loring Air Force Base in Maine . From these sites, the images were then sent to Air Force Global Weather Central (AFGWC) located at Offutt Air Force Base , Nebraska . Images would then be processed, forming a mosaic representing

1404-510: The Space Force announced its plan to establish Space Operations Command as the first of three field command, with Space Operations Command (formerly Fourteenth Air Force) at Vandenberg AFB to be renamed SpOC West. In July 2020, United States Space Force's wings and operations groups were renamed deltas and it assumed responsibility for space operations units previously part of Air Combat Command and Air Education and Training Command , including

1456-674: The Space Operations Command emblem is derived from the legacy Air Force Space Command emblem, which also is found in the Seal of the United States Space Force . It represents the people of the U.S. Space Force and the advanced systems Space Operations Command operates. The three smaller deltas, which take the shape of arrows when combined with the rocket trails behind them, are taken from the U.S. Space Command seal, represent Space Operations Command's combatant command mission and

1508-448: The U.S. Space Force. In May 2021, the 30th Space Wing was redesignated as Space Launch Delta 30 and the 45th Space Wing redesignated as Space Launch Delta 45 . On 13 August 2021, it transferred its launch deltas to Space Systems Command as it activated and on 23 August 2021 Space Training and Readiness Delta (Provisional) was inactivated and its squadrons transferred to Space Training and Readiness Command . The large delta in

1560-454: The activation of Space Training and Readiness Command as a full field command. On 21 October 2020, United States Space Force was redesignated as Space Operations Command, officially transferring from a U.S. Air Force major command to a U.S. Space Force field command when Lieutenant General Stephen N. Whiting assumed command. In 2021, SpOC restructured its headquarters staff by dividing it into three deputy commanding general (DCG) positions,

1612-507: The already constructed F20 probe to save money by not having to pay its storage costs. It is unlikely that a new DMSP satellite would be launched before 2023; by then the three remaining satellites should no longer be operational. In October 2016, the 12th DMSP satellite - DMSP-F12 launched in 1994 - exploded in orbit. The satellite had similar battery as the one that exploded in the DMSP-13 satellite, thus raising suspicions that DMSP-12 explosion

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1664-495: The characteristic eastward motion. The centrally superimposed deltoid symbolizes both the Air Force upward thrust into space and the launch vehicles needed to place all satellites in orbit. The distinctive dark blue background shading, small globe, and stars symbolize the space environment. Air Force Space Command's motto, "Guardians of the High Frontier," was developed from the submissions of three individuals at Space Command and

1716-509: The cloud patterns that were observed from the orbiting satellites. Meteorologists could then provide flight crews and other commanders with up-to-date observations for their particular missions. Further advancements enabled data to be collected in the visual spectrum, down to a half-moonlit scene. Infrared processing enabled night viewing. Other enhancements increased on-board processing; this includes multiple on-board computers and expanded power requirements. Now in its fifth decade of service,

1768-524: The fragmentation was due to either a battery explosion or to residual fuel in the attitude control system. Later, propulsion was identified as the "assessed cause" of DMSP-11 explosion. On 3 February 2015, the 13th DMSP satellite — DMSP-F13 launched in 1995 — exploded while in a Sun-synchronous polar orbit leaving a debris field of at least 43 to 100 large fragments and more than 50,000 pieces smaller than 1 millimeter. The Joint Space Operations Center at Vandenberg Space Force Base , Lompoc, California

1820-605: The new service, but remained a component of the U.S. Air Force. On 21 October 2020, United States Space Force was redesignated as Space Operations Command and officially transitioned from a U.S. Air Force major command to a U.S. Space Force field command. The Air Force's space program began in 1954 with the establishment of the Western Development Division under Brigadier General Bernard Schriever . However, its space operations were fragmented across several different Air Force major commands . Aerospace Defense Command

1872-468: The nobility of its mission. Space Operations Command's emblem was unveiled on 21 October 2020 at Peterson Air Force Base , Colorado with the resignation of United States Space Force, previously Air Force Space Command, as Space Operations Command. The first commander of Air Force Space Command, General James V. Hartinger , suggested that the Air Force Space Command emblem be patterned after

1924-399: The orbital paths traced by satellites in earth orbit; the satellites themselves being symbolically depicted as four point stars. The 30 degree orbital inclination and symmetrically opposed placement of the satellites signify the worldwide coverage provided by Air Force satellites in accomplishing the surveillance and communications missions. The slight tapering of the orbital ellipses represents

1976-409: The prey. The stars that make up the constellation also pay respect to the past luminaries and leaders of military space who have built the foundation on which Space Operations Command stands. Platinum is Space Operations Command's distinguishing color and matches the U.S. Space Force and U.S. Space Command seals. Platinum represents the strength of Guardians and Airmen, the rarity of its calling, and

2028-630: The recommendation of the Space Commission, the Space and Missile Systems Center was transferred from Air Force Materiel Command to Air Force Space Command, unifying space acquisitions and operations under the same command. This gave Air Force Space Command a unique status among the other Air Force major commands, as it was the only one to be responsible for its own acquisition. Following the September 11 attacks , Air Force Space Command provided space support to

2080-413: The role of its deltas, garrisons, and SpOC West to be the arrows in U.S. Space Command's warfighting quiver. They also represent Space Operations Command's core competencies of operations , military intelligence , and cyber . The star field is the constellation Orion , representing the mythological Greek hunter Orion . Orion signifies that Space Operations Command will always be the predator, and never

2132-649: The same day, the 9th Space Division and Space Communications Division were activated to manage launch functions. Air Force Space Command provided significant support to coalition forces during the Gulf War , providing communications and navigation through the Defense Satellite Communications System and Global Positioning System . Missile warning against SCUDs was provided by the Defense Support Program and weather forecasting through

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2184-403: The shape and dimension of the earlier series, featuring improved infrared radiometers. The designation DMSP-2 (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Block 2) was retroactively assigned to these satellites. The single DSAP-3 (Defense Satellite Application Program Block 3) was a modified DSAP-2 satellite to provide experimental tactical access to weather data, for which a tactical readout station

2236-560: Was also caused by battery problems. At the time the cause of DMSP-12's explosion was however unknown, although a collision with another object did not seem to be the cause. Apparently, very little debris (just one trackable piece) was generated in DMSP-12 explosion. DMSP-12 was decommissioned in 2008. In January 2017, the Joint Space Operations Center announced that two non-maneuverable satellites would come dangerously close, with

2288-494: Was built near Saigon. The designation DMSP-3 (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Block 3) was retroactively assigned to this satellite. In 2015, Congress voted to terminate the DMSP program and to scrap the DMSP 5D-3/F20 satellite, ordering the Air Force to move on to a next-generation system. The Air Force had intended to keep DMSP F20 in climate-controlled storage at a Lockheed Martin clean room in Sunnyvale, California, for

2340-412: Was considered to be 'lost'. The satellite's data can still be used, until it ceases pointing the sensors towards the Earth . The satellite was the most recent on-orbit, having been launched on 3 April 2014. The failure only left F16, F17 and F18 – all significantly past their expected 3–5 year lifespan – operational. F19's planned replacement was not carried out because Congress ordered the destruction of

2392-528: Was inactivated as an Air Force major command (although preserved as a specified command within NORAD ), with its air defense mission transferred to Tactical Air Command in 1979 and its space assets moved to Strategic Air Command in 1980. Calls for an independent space command grew within the 1980s, with some in Congress even calling for the Air Force to be reorganized as the U.S. Aerospace Force. On 1 September 1982,

2444-577: Was initially known as Program 35 . The first successful launch of a Program 35 spacecraft used a Scout X-2 rocket lifting off from Point Arguello near Vandenberg Space Force Base on 23 August 1962. This was P35-2, the earlier P35-1 launch on 24 May 1962 had failed to reach orbit. All five Program 35 launch attempts using Scout launch vehicle, including the two successes, were made from Vandenberg SLC-5 . Other early launches were conducted using Thor-Burner launch vehicles, with Altair or Burner II upper stages . Program 35 had by this time been renamed

2496-399: Was renamed Air Force Space Command ( AFSPC or AFSPACECOM ) to distinguish it from U.S. Space Command, Naval Space Command , and Army Space Command . On 20 December 2019, following the establishment of the United States Space Force as an independent service, Air Force Space Command was also redesignated as United States Space Force ( USSF ) and served as the transitional headquarters of

2548-711: Was replaced by Peterson-Schriever Garrison , which oversaw Peterson Air Force Base , Schriever Air Force Base , Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station , Pituffik Space Base , New Boston Air Force Station , and Kaena Point Satellite Tracking Station , while the 460th Space Wing was replaced by Buckley Garrison , which oversaw Buckley Air Force Base , Cape Cod Air Force Station , Cavalier Air Force Station , and Clear Air Force Station . The 25th Space Range Squadron , 328th Weapons Squadron , 527th Aggressor Squadron , and 533rd Training Squadron were incorporated into Space Training and Readiness Delta (Provisional) , pending

2600-461: Was responsible for space surveillance and missile warning , Strategic Air Command operated weather satellites , and Air Force Systems Command , primarily responsible for research and development, also had operational responsibilities for operating communication satellites and space launch . As Air Force space programs began to mature in the 1970s and early 1980s, their disjointed nature presented operational issues. The impending deployment of

2652-506: Was the first series of military meteorological satellites of the United States. The project designation P-698BH was used concurrently with P-35 from June 1962 and P-35 became P-417 in October 1962. The designation DMSP-1 (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Block 1) was retroactively assigned to these satellites. The DSAP-2 (Defense Satellite Application Program Block 2) satellites series consisted of three modified DSAP-1 satellites, retaining

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2704-591: Was to be replaced by the Defense Weather Satellite System (DWSS) but that was cancelled in 2012. In 2017, the Air Force awarded a contract to build the first of the new defense weather satellites, the Weather System Follow-on Microwave (WSF-M) satellite. In 2004 the USAF weather satellite DMSP Block 5D-2 F-11 (S-12) or DMSP-11 , launched in 1991 and retired in 1995, exploded in orbit with debris objects generated. It seems likely

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