310TH SPACE WING (AFRC) (310 SW) - Schriever Air Force Base

12
2nd Space Operations Squadron
Th e 2nd Space Operations Squadron performs
the satellite command and control mission for
the Global Positioning System constellation.
GPS is a space-based radio navigation
network whose primary mission is to provide
precise positioning and timing information.
Th e $3.5 billion GPS constellation consists of
more than 30 operational satellites.
GPS is the world’s largest military satellite constellation.
GPS provides highly accurate, 24-hour, all-weather, position,
velocity and timing data to users worldwide. Additionally, all
GPS satellites carry equipment supporting the U.S. Nuclear
Detonation Detection System.
GPS’ precise time transfer and highly accurate positioning
data has revolutionized nearly every aspect of modern warfare.
GPS has enabled U.S. and allied forces to strike targets with
pinpoint accuracy while reducing collateral damage. Equally
important, GPS has brought signifi cant benefi ts to more than
one billion worldwide civilian users in diverse applications
including air, road, rail and marine navigation, precision
agriculture and mining, oil exploration, environmental
research and management, telecommunications, electronic
data transfer, construction, recreation and emergency
response.
2nd SOPS operates and maintains the Master Control
Station at Schriever and a dedicated network of worldwide
monitor stations and ground antennas to control and support
this constellation.
Th e monitor stations track navigation signals from GPS
satellites and gather data on satellite performance. Th is
data is then processed at the MCS and is used to update the
satellites’ navigation messages.
MCS sends updated navigation information to GPS
satellites through ground antennas. Th ese ground antennas
are also used to transmit commands to satellites and to receive
the satellites’ state-of-health information.
Around the world, there are 16 ¬geographically separated
sites housing ground antennas and stations that help to fl y
and monitor the GPS constellation.
2nd SOPS works in conjunction with their reserve
counterpart, 19th SOPS, to conduct launch anomaly and
disposal operations. LADO conducts launch and early-orbit
operations, including satellite activation, initial checkout
and transfer to mission orbit. LADO also responds to all
satellite emergencies, support end-of-life testing and execute
satellite disposal operations as required.
3rd Space Operations Squadron
Th e 3rd Space Operations Squadron conducts
day-to-day telemetry analysis, satellite
commanding, orbital data collection, anomaly
resolution, tactics development, defensive
space control and on-orbit operations for the
Defense Satellite Communications System III
and Wideband Global Satellite Communications
constellation. In addition, 3 SOPS currently provides orbit
data to 22nd SOPS in support of the Ministry of Defenses
NATO/Skynet mission. In mid-2012, 3 SOPS will assume
command and control of the fi rst Block II and fourth
Wideband Global Satellite Communications satellite and in
2013 the fi fth and sixth WGS satellites in the constellation will
be launched. Also in 2013, 3 SOPS anticipates declaration
of full operational capability for Integrated Operations
Environment, a $20 million state-of-the-art joint command
and control system for military communications satellites.
©2012 Benchmark Publications, Inc.