View source for Space Systems Command

{{Short description|U.S. Space Force space development, acquisition, launch, and logistics field command}}
{{Other uses|Space Division (disambiguation){{!}}Space Division}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2019}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Space Systems Command
| image                         = Space Systems Command emblem.svg
| caption                       = Space Systems Command emblem
| start_date                    = 13 August 2021 ({{Age in years and months|2021|08|13|df=yes|show unit=full}})<br />''as Space Systems Command''
----
Established on 20 Mar 1961 and organized on 1 Apr 1961
| country                       = {{flagu|United States}}
| branch                        = {{space force|United States}}
| type                          = [[Field command]]
| role                          = * [[research and development|Space development]]
* [[Military acquisition|Space acquisition]]
* [[Space launch]]
* [[Military logistics|Space logistics]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ssc.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/About-Space-Systems-Command|title = About Space Systems Command}}</ref>
| size                          = 10,000 personnel<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article/2731535/ussf-establishes-2nd-field-command-guetlein-assumes-command/|title=USSF establishes 2nd Field Command, Guetlein assumes command|date=13 August 2021 }}</ref>
| command_structure             = 
| garrison                      = [[Los Angeles Air Force Base]], [[California]], U.S.
| garrison_label                = Headquarters
| colors                        = {{color box|#FFBF3F}} [[Gold (color)|Gold]]<ref name="SSC Emblem Final Reveal">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dvidshub.net/video/808584/ssc-emblem-final-reveal|title = SSC Emblem Final Reveal}}</ref>
| decorations                   = [[File:AFOEA Streamer.jpg|200px]]<br />[[Organizational Excellence Award|Air Force Organization Excellence Award]]<ref name="lineage">{{cite web|url=https://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/2886931/space-systems-command-ussf/|title=Space Systems Command (USSF) Lineage|access-date=31 January 2022}}</ref>
| website                       = {{URL|https://www.ssc.spaceforce.mil|ssc.spaceforce.mil}}
| commander1                    = {{Flagicon image|Flag of a United States Space Force lieutenant general.svg|size=23px}} [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lt Gen]] [[Philip Garrant]]
| commander1_label              = Commander
| commander2                    = [[Colonel (United States)|Col]] [[Michele K. Idle]]
| commander2_label              = Deputy Commander
| commander3                    = [[Chief Master Sergeant|CMSgt]] Jacqueline Sauvé<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.losangeles.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/Leadership/Display/Article/3220973/jacqueline-sauv/|title=Chief Master Sergeant Jacqueline Sauvé|website=spaceforce.mil}}</ref>
| commander3_label              = Senior Enlisted Leader
<!-- Insignia -->| identification_symbol         = <div style="text-align:center">[[File:Flag of the Space Systems Command.svg|border|150px]]</div>
| identification_symbol_label   = [[Flag of the United States Space Force|Flag]]
}}

'''Space Systems Command''' ('''SSC''') is the [[United States Space Force]]'s [[research and development|space development]], [[Military acquisition|acquisition]], [[space launch|launch]], and [[Military logistics|logistics]] [[field command]]. It is headquartered at [[Los Angeles Air Force Base]], [[California]], and manages the United States' [[space launch range]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2021/06/03/now-boarding-space-force-wants-to-turn-launch-ranges-into-rocket-airports/|title=Now boarding: Space Force wants to turn launch ranges into rocket 'airports'|date=3 June 2021}}</ref>

The '''Western Development Division''' ('''WDD''') was established on 1 April 1954 under [[Air Research and Development Command]] to manage the U.S. Air Force's [[ballistic missile]] program. It assumed responsibility for [[spacecraft]] development in 1955 and was renamed the '''Air Force Ballistic Missile Division''' ('''AFBMD''') in 1957. As part of Air Research and Development Command's transformation, the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division's space and missile responsibilities were split.  As such, the '''Space Systems Division''' ('''SSD''') was established on 20 Mar 1961 and organized (activated) on 1 Apr 1961. In 1967, the Space Systems Division was reorganized as the '''Space and Missile Systems Organization''' ('''SAMSO'''), absorbing the Ballistic Systems Division's mission.  In 1979, the Space and Missile Systems Organization was renamed the '''Space Division''' and divested itself of ballistic missile development. In 1989, the Space Division returned to its historic name of the '''Space Systems Division''' and regained its ballistic missile development role in 1990.

With the merger of Air Force Systems Command and [[Air Force Logistics Command]] in 1992, the Space Systems Division was redesignated the '''Space and Missile Systems Center''' ('''SMC'''). In response to the recommendations of the Space Commission, in 2001 it was reassigned to [[Air Force Space Command]], remaining attached through its redesignation as [[Space Operations Command]] in October 2020. On 22 April 2021, it transferred from a U.S. Air Force unit to a [[United States Space Force|U.S. Space Force]] unit and was reassigned from Space Operations Command to Headquarters United States Space Force. On 13 August 2021, the Space and Missile Systems Center was renamed Space Systems Command and became a full U.S. Space Force field command.<ref name="auto3">{{cite web |url=https://www.defensenews.com/battlefield-tech/space/2021/08/13/space-force-establishes-space-systems-command/|title=Space Force establishes Space Systems Command|date=13 August 2021}}</ref><ref name="lineage" />

==History==
===The Military Space Program begins under Air Research and Development Command===
[[File:Air Research and Development Command - emblem.png|thumb|The Western Development Division and Air Force Ballistic Missile Division were organized under [[Air Research and Development Command]] from 1954 to its redesignation 1961.]]

====Western Development Division====
The United States' ballistic missile program was started by the [[United States Army Air Forces]] immediately after the end of the [[Second World War]], with the [[German Army (1935–1945)|German Army]]'s employment of the [[V-2 rocket]] demonstrating its viability. However, initial efforts to combine ballistic missiles and [[nuclear weapons]] was technologically infeasible until the development of [[thermonuclear weapons]]. In the early 1950s, the Soviet Union was outpacing the United States in ballistic missile development, leading [[Trevor Gardner]] to charter the [[Teapot Committee]] to determine why the United States was struggling.<ref name="History">{{cite web|url=https://www.losangeles.spaceforce.mil/Portals/16/documents/AFD-120802-071.pdf?ver=2016-05-02-112851-807|title=Historical Overview of the Space and Missile Systems Center, 1954-2003|access-date=31 January 2022}}</ref>

As a direct result of the Committee's recommendation, [[Air Research and Development Command]] established the Western Development Division at [[Los Angeles Air Force Station]] under Brigadier General [[Bernard Schriever]] on 1 July 1954 to manage the Air Force's ballistic missile program. The Western Development Division's first program was the [[Convair]] [[SM-65 Atlas]] [[intercontinental ballistic missile]], however by 1955 it initiated development of the [[Glenn L. Martin Company|Martin]] [[HGM-25A Titan I]] ICBM and [[Douglas Aircraft Company|Douglas]] [[PGM-17 Thor]] [[intermediate range ballistic missile]]. On 10 October 1955, the Western Development Division gained responsibility for [[spacecraft]] development when the Weapon System 117L satellite, intended to conduct reconnaissance and missile warning, was transferred from the [[Wright Air Development Center]]. On 1 June 1957, the Western Development Division was renamed the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division.<ref name="History" />

====Air Force Ballistic Missile Division====
[[File:Launch of Friendship 7 - GPN-2000-000686.jpg|thumb|NASA Astronaut [[John Glenn]] was launched on the first [[Mercury-Atlas 6|U.S. orbital flight]] by an Air Force Ballistic Missile Division Atlas rocket on 20 February 1962.]]

On 20 September 1957, the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division conducted the first launch of a Thor missile from [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station]], Florida and on 17 December 1957, also performed the first launch of an Atlas missile. By 1960, the PGM-17 Thor IRBM was deployed to the United Kingdom and turned over to [[Strategic Air Command]] and the [[Royal Air Force]]. The SM-65 Atlas ICBM was turned over SAC by the end of 1962. In 1960, the HGM-25A Titan I ICBM made its first flight and was turned over to Strategic Air Command in 1962, completing the deployment of the first-generation ballistic missiles.<ref name="History" />

These first-generation ballistic missiles also served as the foundation for the first-generation of [[space launch vehicle]]s. The first space launch vehicle developed by the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division was the [[Thor-Able]], which used a Thor IRBM as the first stage and a [[Vanguard (rocket)|Vanguard]]-derived [[Able (rocket stage)|Able]]. Its first launch was on 11 October 1958. The first satellite launched by the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division was the [[United States Army Signal Corps|Army Signal Corps]] [[SCORE (satellite)|SCORE]] using an [[Atlas B]]. The [[Thor (rocket family)|Thor]] and [[Atlas (rocket family)|Atlas]] rocket families would form the core of the United States' space launch fleet. Following its 1958 establishment, [[NASA]] immediately began using the Thor for space launches and in 1959 developed the [[Thor-Delta]]. The Atlas was adopted by NASA in 1959 and [[Project Mercury]] used the [[Atlas LV-3B]] for its orbital flights, with the Army's [[Mercury-Redstone Launch Vehicle]] used only for sub-orbital flights.<ref name="History" />

Following the launch of [[Sputnik 1]] by the Soviet Union, the [[Eisenhower administration]] attempted to centralize all military and civil space programs in the [[Advanced Research Projects Agency]], however responsibility was returned to the military services in September 1959. The [[U.S. Army]] was designated as the lead service for [[communication satellite]]s, the [[U.S. Navy]] for [[satellite navigation|navigation satellite]]s, and the [[U.S. Air Force]] for [[spy satellite|reconnaissance and surveillance satellite]]s and [[space launch vehicle]]s. This split arrangement lasted until March 1961, when Secretary of Defense [[Robert McNamara]] assigned the Air Force a near monopoly on military space development, with the exception of reconnaissance programs, which were passed to the [[National Reconnaissance Office]] in 1961.<ref name="History" />

The Weapon System 117L program, initially intending to perform a variety of task under different sub-systems, was broken into three different programs in 1959. The [[CORONA (satellite)|Discoverer Program]], better known as Corona, was a photographic reconnaissance satellite that ejected film for recovery in-atmosphere. The Discoverers were launched using a [[Thor-Agena]] booster, with [[Discoverer 1]] becoming the first satellite to enter a [[polar orbit]] and [[Discoverer 2]] was the first to have [[three-axis stabilization]]. In 1960, [[Discoverer 13]] was the first to return a capsule when it crashed into the [[Pacific Ocean]] and [[Discoverer 14]] marked the first successful return of film when it was [[Mid-air retrieval|recovered in-air]] by a [[6593d Test Squadron]] [[Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar|Fairchild JC-119 Flying Boxcar]].<ref name="History" /> The [[Samos (satellite)|Satellite and Missile Observation Program]] (SAMOS), was intended as a heavier counterpart to Discoverer and used the [[Atlas-Agena]] booster. SAMOS was intended to collect photographic and electromagnetic reconnaissance data, but instead of returning film capsules to earth, SAMOS would electronically transmit the data to ground stations. However, the technology for electro-optical film readout was not mature and it was canceled by [[United States Under Secretary of the Air Force|Undersecretary of the Air Force]] [[Joseph V. Charyk]]. The [[Missile Defense Alarm System]] (MIDAS) was the third program derived from WS 117L and focused on providing missile warning of ICBMs using infrared sensors. Initial plans called for a constellation of eight spacecraft in polar orbits to monitor the Soviet Union, however due to early satellite failures it remained a test program until 1968.<ref name="History" />

To control these satellites, in 1958 the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division established an interim satellite control facility at [[Lockheed Martin Space|Lockheed Missile and Space Division]]. On 6 April 1959, the [[6594th Aerospace Test Wing|6594th Test Wing]] was established to operate the facility and on 1 March 1960 it transferred operations to [[Onizuka Air Force Station|Sunnyvale Air Force Station]] in California. It also established a global [[Air Force Satellite Control Network]]. On 1 November 1959, the 6592nd Support Group was established to manage [[Los Angeles Air Force Station]].<ref name="History" />

The first space missions launched by the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division were not  military, the but scientific [[Pioneer program|Pioneer lunar probes]]. First directed by the Advanced Research Projects Agency, they were later turned over to NASA. The Thor-Able rocket was specifically developed by the Air Force Ballistic Missile Agency for these lunar missions, which aimed to enhance scientific knowledge and American global prestige during the [[Cold War]]. ARPA assigned the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division responsibility for three probes to be launched with the Thor-Able, the [[Army Ballistic Missile Agency]] two probes to be launched with the [[Juno II]], and the [[Naval Ordnance Test Center|Naval Ordnance Test Station]] to provide the imaging system. [[Pioneer 0]], [[Pioneer 1]], and [[Pioneer 2]] were the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division's lunar probes. While Pioneer 0 and Pioneer 2 suffered launch failures and Pioneer 1 only traveled a third of the way to the Moon, it was world's first [[deep space probe]] and provided information on the extent of the [[Van Allen radiation belt]]s.<ref name="History" />

===Space and missile development under Air Force Systems Command===
[[File:USAF - Systems Command.png|thumb|From 1961 to its inactivation in 1992, military space development was the responsibility of [[Air Force Systems Command]].]]

====Space Systems Division====
On 1 April 1961, Air Research and Development Command was reorganized as [[Air Force Systems Command]]. Space and missile programs had grown to the point where the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division was split on 1 April 1961, with space systems being organized under the Space Systems Division and missile programs under the Ballistic Systems Division.<ref name="lineage" />

The Ballistic Systems Division, which moved to [[Norton Air Force Base]], continued the work of the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division on second-generation ballistic missiles. The first major missile system it worked on was the [[LGM-25C Titan II]] ICBM, which was an improvement over the LGM-25A Titan I. It featured storable propellent, an all-inertial guidance system, and could be launched from undergrounds [[missile silos]]. The first Titan IIs came on alert with Strategic Air Command in June 1963. It also began development of the [[LGM-30 Minuteman]] ICBM, which was the first Air Force ballistic missile to use solid fuel rather than liquid fuel. The first Minuteman I was launched by the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division on 1 February 1962 and turned over to Strategic Air Command on 11 September 1962. By 1965, the Minuteman I had replaced the Atlas and Titan I ICBMs.<ref name="History" />

The Space Systems Division, still located at [[Los Angeles Air Force Station]], carried on the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division's development of the [[Titan III]] space launch vehicle, which was initiated in 1961 and first flow on 1 September 1964. The [[Titan IIIA]] consisted of a modified Titan II ballistic missile with a [[Transtage]] upper stage. The [[Titan IIIC]] was first launched from [[Cape Canaveral Space Force Station]] on 18 June 1965 and used two large solid rocket booster. The Space Systems Division also developed the [[Titan IIIB]] and provided NASA with [[Titan II GLV]]s for [[Project Gemini]] and developed the [[Agena target vehicle]].<ref name="History" />

In 1963, the Space Systems Division initiated the [[Defense Support Program]], which was intended to succeed where MIDAS failed and create an orbital constellation of infrared missile warning sensors. It also continued developing the [[Vela (satellite)|Vela]] nuclear detonation detection satellites. The Vela satellite network came out of an Air Force Ballistic Missile Division–[[United States Atomic Energy Commission|Atomic Energy Commission]]–NASA agreement in 1960 to develop a high-altitude nuclear detection system to ensure compliance with the [[Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty]]. The Atomic Energy Commission flew test detectors on Space Systems Division Discoverer satellites and the first Vela satellites were launched on an Atlas-Agena on 16 October 1963.<ref name="History" />

The Space Systems Division also began development on the [[Defense Meteorological Support Program]] (DMSP). The DMSP Block 1 satellites were launched on a [[Scout X-2]] rocket in 1962, however the other four launch attempts failed. Further DMSP Block I launches were conducted on the [[Thor-Agena]] and [[Thor-Burner]] boosters. The Thor-Burner also launched the DMSP Block II and DMSP Block III satellites, which provided weather reconnaissance during the [[Vietnam War]]. The Block 4 satellites first launched in 1966. The Army Signal Corps' project SCORE, launched by the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division in 1958, was the world's first communications satellite but intended as a proof of concept. The Army Signal Corps followed by launching [[Courier 1B]] on an Air Force Ballistic Missile Division [[Thor-Ablestar]] in 1960, but it failed after 17 days in orbit. The Space Systems Division began development on the [[Initial Defense Communications Satellite Program]] (IDCSP) in 1962, launching constellations from 1966 to 1968. the IDCSP, also known as the Defense Satellite Communications Program Phase I (DSCS I) once operational, transmitted both voice and images to support the United States during the Vietnam War.<ref name="History" />

Although almost all [[crewed spacecraft]] programs went to NASA after its creation in 1958, the Air Force retained the [[Boeing X-20 Dyna-Soar]] program under the [[Wright Air Development Center]], with the Titan IIIC initially intended as its booster. The program, however, was canceled in 1963 when it was determined that the [[Blue Gemini]] program would better satisfy its objectives. However, Defense Secretary Robert McNamara announced the [[Manned Orbiting Laboratory]] program, which was assigned to the Space Systems Division by General Bernard Schriever. [[Douglas Aircraft Company]] was responsible for the spacecraft, and the Space Systems Division was developing the [[Titan IIIM]] booster. However, the program only had a single test flight, [[OPS 0855]], before being canceled in 1969.<ref name="History" />

The Space Systems Division also was responsible for [[anti-satellite weapon]]s development. The first United States ASAT system was the Army's [[Nike Zeus]] missiles located at [[Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site|Kwajalein Missile Range]] and declared operational in 1963, but shut down in 1964 by the Defense Department, which favored the Air Force's ASAT efforts. The Space Systems Division's [[Program 437]] used Thor boosters and nuclear warheads to destroy a satellite or space-based weapon from [[Johnston Atoll]]. The system was declared operational in 1964 and turned over to [[Aerospace Defense Command]], however it was put on standby in 1970 and shut down in 1975. Program 437 also include the Program 437AP configuration, which give it the capability to inspect satellites. The Space Systems Division also managed the [[Space Test Program]], known as the Space Experiments Support Program until 1971, for the Defense Department since it began in 1965.<ref name="History" />

In 1965, Space Systems Division replaced the 6594th Aerospace Test Wing with the [[Air Force Satellite Control Facility]]. Space launches were also conducted by the Space Systems Division, with the [[6595th Aerospace Test Wing]] responsible for [[Vandenberg Air Force Base]] launches and the [[6555th Aerospace Test Wing]] responsible for launches from [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station]].<ref name="History" />

====Space and Missile Systems Organization====
[[File:MOL USAF.png|thumb|upright=1.0|right|Illustration of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory in space.]]
[[File:Titan-3C MOL-Gemini-B-Test 3.jpg|thumb|The first, and only, [[OPS 0855|test flight]] of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory occurred on 3 December 1966.]]
{{Gallery
| title        = Space and Missile Systems Organization centers and wings
| align        = center
|width=120
| captionstyle = text-align:center;
|Air Force Satellite Control Facility.PNG|[[Air Force Satellite Control Facility]]
|Space & Missile Test Center emblem.png|Space and Missile Test Center
|6555 Aerospace Test Wg emblem.png|[[6555th Aerospace Test Wing]]
|6595th Aerospace Test Wing - Emblem.png|[[6595th Aerospace Test Wing]]
|Western Test Range emblem.png|[[Western Test Range]]
|Eastern Test Range - Emblem.png|[[Eastern Test Range]]
|File:6592 Support Gp emblem.png|6592d Support Group
}}
On 1 July 1967, the Space Systems Division and Ballistic Systems Division were remerged, forming the Space and Missile Systems Office (SAMSO).<ref name="lineage" /> This remerger was prompted by economic reasons and SAMSO was located as Los Angeles Air Force Station. SAMSO did not start any new ballistic missile programs, but did oversee the replacement of the Minuteman I with the Minuteman II, which had improved range and guidance, and the Minuteman III, which more penetration aids to counter anti-ballistic missile defense systems and could be equipped with three [[multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle]]s.<ref name="History" />

The Titan III space launch vehicle family was also expanded to include the [[Titan IIID]] and [[Titan IIIE]], which were used to support NASA's launch of the [[Viking program]] in 1976. The Space and Missile Systems Organization was also the Department of Defense lead for the [[Space Transportation System]], which would be developed into the [[Space Shuttle]]. As part of its contribution, it built a Space Shuttle launch and recovery site at [[Vandenberg Air Force Base]] for polar launches and also developed the [[Inertial Upper Stage]].<ref name="History" />

The Space and Missile Systems Organization also oversaw the first launch of the Defense Support Program in 1970 on a Titan IIIC and the development and launch of the Advanced Vela satellites on Titan IIICs in 1967, 1969, and 1970. Three Defense Meteorological Support Program Block 5A, Block 5B, Block 5C, and Block 5D-1 satellites were also launched in the 1970s.<ref name="History" />

Although not an Air Force program, the Navy's [[Transit (satellite)|Transit]] satellite system was the world's first [[satellite navigation]] constellation and started development in 1958. It was first launched on an Air Force Ballistic Missile Division booster in 1960 and achieved initial operational capability in 1964 and full operational capability in 1968. Transit used three operational satellites to enable users on ships and submarines to calculate their location in two dimensions and continued to operate until 1996. The Navy and Air Force both began follow on programs, with the Space and Missile Systems Organization developing [[Project 621B]], envisioning a constellation of 20 satellites in synchronous inclined orbits. The Navy's [[Timation]] program instead envisioned a constellation of 21 to 27 satellites in medium altitude orbits. In 1973, [[United States Deputy Secretary of Defense|Deputy Secretary of Defense]] [[William P. Clements]] directed the two programs merge into the Space and Missile Systems Organization's [[Global Positioning System]], which used Program 621B's signal structure and frequencies and the [[medium earth orbit]]s of Timation.<ref name="History" />

The Space and Missile Systems Organization also led the development of the [[Defense Satellite Communications System Phase II]] (DSCS II). DSCS II had increased communications 
capacity, greater transmission strength, and longer lifetimes. As well, they also had steerable antennas. The first developmental contract was issued in 1969 and the first launch to [[geosynchronous orbit]] occurred in 1971, with the full constellation being formed in 1979. SAMSO also operationalized the [[Lincoln Experimental Satellite]]s and Tactical Communications Satellite, building the [[Fleet Satellite Communications System]] (FLTSATCOM). Although the FLTSATCOM program was owned by the Navy, SAMSO managed the satellite acquisition, which started in 1971. It also managed the [[Air Force Satellite Communications]] system which became operational in 1978 and relied on transponders on FLTSATCOM and enabled the Air Force control over its strategic forces. SAMSO also managed the acquisition and launch of [[Skynet (satellite)|Skynet 1]], which was launched on behalf of the [[Royal Air Force]] in 1969 and 1970. SAMSO also assisted the United Kingdom with the development of Skynet 2, which launched in 1974 and was turned over to the Royal Air Force in 1975. SAMSO also acquired and launched the NATO II and NATO III satellites. DSCS II, Skynet, and the NATO satellites were designed to be compatible with each other.<ref name="History" />

During the 1970s, the Space and Missile Systems Organization began a follow-on ASAT program to Program 437 that did not use nuclear warheads. The first, Project Spike, used a two-staged missile launched from a [[Convair F-106 Delta Dart]]. Project Spike did not enter development, however it served as a proof of concept for the [[ASM-135 ASAT|Air-launched ASAT]], which entered development in 1976.<ref name="History" />

In 1970, SAMSO's 6555th Aerospace Test Wing at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station became the [[6555th Aerospace Test Group]] and realigned under its [[6595th Aerospace Test Wing]] at Vandenberg Air Force Base. The [[6595th Aerospace Test Wing]] was then realigned under SAMSO's new Space and Missile Test Center (SAMTEC), which oversaw launches at both Vandenberg Air Force Base and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and operated the [[Western Test Range]]. In 1977, it gained the [[Eastern Test Range]]. On 1 August 1971, the 6592nd Support Group for Los Angeles Air Force Station was redesignated the 6592nd Air Base Group.<ref name="History" />

====Space Division====
[[File:ASAT missile launch.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|Launch of the [[ASM-135 ASAT]] missile.]]
{{Gallery
| title        = Space Division centers and laboratories
| align        = center
|width=120
| captionstyle = text-align:center;
|Air Force Satellite Control Facility.PNG|[[Air Force Satellite Control Facility]]
|Space & Missile Test Center emblem.png|Space and Missile Test Organization
|Air Force Space Technology Ctr emblem.png|[[Air Force Space Technology Center]]
|Air Force Geophysics Laboratory emblem.png|Air Force Geophysics Laboratory
|File:45th Space Wing.png|[[Eastern Space and Missile Center]]
|Western Space & Missile Center emblem.png|[[Western Space and Missile Center]]
|File:Ballistic Systems Division emblem.png|Ballistic Systems Organization
|File:6592 Air Base Gp emblem.png|6592nd Air Base Group
}}

On 1 October 1979, the Space and Missile Systems Organization was redesignated as the Space Division and split off its ballistic missile functions into the Ballistic Missile Office due to growth in both mission areas.<ref name="lineage" />

Starting in 1982, the Ballistic Missile Office assisted Strategic Air Command in deactivating the remaining Titan II missiles and placing them into storage for possible conversion into space launch vehicles. Under the [[Strategic Arms Limitation Talks]], both the United States and Soviet Union were limited in the number of missiles they could deploy. This shifted the focus to quality. In 1973, the Space and Missile Systems Organization started the MX program, which looked at traditionally silo-based, ground-mobile, and [[air-launched ballistic missile]] options. In 1982, it was named the [[LGM-118 Peacekeeper]] ICBM by President [[Ronald Reagan]] and was capable of launching ten reentry vehicles at different targets more than 6,000 miles away. In 1983, the Peacekeeper had its first test launch from [[Vandenberg Air Force Base]] to a target in the [[Kwajalein Missile Range]] and the first went on alert with Strategic Air Command in 1986, being fully deployed in 1988. The permanent basing construct including making the Peacekeeper rail-mobile on trains, but with the end of the Cold War those plans were canceled by President [[George H. W. Bush]] in 1991. The Ballistic Missile Office also started development on the [[MGM-134 Midgetman]] ICBM in 1986, also known as the Small ICBM, which would be held in road-mobile launchers. Its first test flight occurred in 1991 from [[Vandenberg Air Force Base]] to a target in the [[Kwajalein Missile Range]], but was canceled in 1992 due to the end of the Cold War.<ref name="History" />

The Space Division continued the Space and Missile Systems Organization's military development of the [[Space Shuttle]] alongside NASA, however in 1986 the [[Space Shuttle Challenger|Space Shuttle ''Challenger'']] [[Space Shuttle Challenger disaster|exploded]] during launch, forcing NASA to suspend all launches until 1988. Not only did it suspend the development of Shuttle launch and recovery facilities at Vandenberg Air Force Base, but also delayed all military payloads that were scheduled to be launched on the shuttle. The Space Division had been developing the [[Titan 34D]] as a backup in the event that there were any issues with the Shuttle program and after two launch failures in 1985 and 1986 suspended Titan 34 Launches, they resumed in 1987, restoring the only launch alternative to the Space Shuttle for large payloads. The [[Titan IV]] had already started development in 1985, but the ''Challenger'' disaster reinforced the need to have a diverse fleet of space launch vehicles. The Titan IV had its first launch in 1989 and could use either the [[Inertial Upper Stage]] or an upgraded [[Centaur (rocket stage)|Centaur]] stage. It also began the development of two new medium launch vehicles, with the [[Delta II]] intended to launch the [[Global Positioning System]] and the [[Atlas II]] intended to launch the [[Defense Satellite Communications System]].<ref name="History" />

[[File:Space Laser Satellite Defense System Concept.jpg|thumb|The Space Division was responsible for the development of the space component of the [[Strategic Defense Initiative]].]]

The Space Division launched the first Defense Meteorological Support Program Block 5D-2s and started the procurement process for DMSP Block 5D-3s, as well as starting the deployment of the Global Positioning System constellation. It also continued the [[Defense Satellite Communications System Phase III]] deployment, launching the first in 1982 and the full constellation was completed in 1993. The [[Military Strategic and Tactical Relay]], or Milstar, strategic satellite communication program was started in 1982.<ref name="History" />

The Space Division initiated the largest change to the [[Air Force Satellite Control Network]] since its inception, with Secretary of Defense [[Harold Brown (Secretary of Defense)|Harold Brown]] authorizing the construction of a Consolidated Space Operations Center at [[Falcon Air Force Base]] in 1979. It was intended to comprise two parts, a Satellite Operations Complex to replace [[Onizuka Air Force Base]] and a Shuttle Operations and Planning Center to replace [[Johnson Space Center]] for military missions. The Shuttle Operation and Planning Center was canceled in 1987, while the Consolidated Space Operations Center gradually came online in 1989 and was fully transferred to [[Air Force Space Command]] in 1993.<ref name="History" />

The Space Division also continued the air-launched ASAT program that SAMSO started in 1976, culminating in the development of the [[ASM-135 ASAT]]. Its first test was on 21 January 1984 and on 13 September 1985, it was launched from a [[McDonnell Douglas F-15A Eagle]] to destroy the [[Solwind]] research satellite. The program was terminated in 1988 due to budgetary and congressional restrictions. Starting in 1983, the Department of Defense announced the [[Strategic Defense Initiative]] to provide missile defense, with the Space Division responsible for its space-based and Air Force components. In 1987, the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization selected the Space Division's [[Boost Surveillance and Tracking System]], [[Space Surveillance and Tracking System]], and [[Space-Based Interceptor]] for demonstration.<ref name="History" />

Immediately following the establishment of the Space Division on 1 October 1979, the Space and Missile Test Center was redesignated as the Space and Missile Test Organization, comprising the [[Eastern Space and Missile Center]] at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and the [[Western Space and Missile Center]] at Vandenberg Air Force Base. On 1 September 1982, [[Air Force Space Command]] was activated as the Air Force's first major command for space and on 1 October 1987 the [[Air Force Satellite Control Facility]] was inactivated, with its functions being replaced by Air Force Space Command's wings. The Space and Missile Test Organization was inactivated on 1 October 1989, and on 1 October 1990 the Eastern Space and Missile Center and Western Space and Missile Center were transferred to Air Force Space Command's [[9th Space Division]], making it responsible for space launch.<ref name="History" />

However, the Space Division did gain responsibility for some research and development functions, gaining the [[Air Force Space Technology Center]] at [[Kirtland Air Force Base]] in October 1982. The Air Force Space Technology Center consisted of the [[Air Force Weapons Laboratory]],  Air Force Geophysics Laboratory, and [[Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory]]. In 1990, the Air Force Space Technology Center was renamed the [[Phillips Laboratory]] and its three sub-laboratories were directly incorporated into it.<ref name="History" />

On 15 March 1989, the Space Division reassumed its historical name of the Space Systems Division and the Ballistic Missile Office also was renamed the Ballistic Systems Division. Due to cutbacks in the ballistic missile program due to the end of the Cold War, the Ballistic Systems Division was renamed the Ballistic Missile Organization and realigned under the Space Systems Division on 5 May 1990.<ref name="History" /><ref name="lineage" />

===Realignment under Air Force Space Command===
[[File:Air Force Materiel Command.png|thumb|[[Air Force Materiel Command]] briefly succeeded Air Force Systems Command as the major command for space development from 1992 to 2001.]]
{{Gallery
| title        = Space and Missile Systems Centers laboratories, wings, groups, and squadrons
| align        = center
|width=120
| captionstyle = text-align:center;
|Phillips Lab.png|[[Phillips Laboratory]]
|File:Ballistic Systems Division emblem.png|Ballistic Systems Organization
|377th Air Base Wing.png|[[377th Air Base Wing]]
|61st Air Base Group.png |[[61st Air Base Group]]
|File:655 Air Base Sq emblem.png|655th Air Base Squadron
}}

[[File:GPS III SV01 Mission (45525648155).jpg|thumb|Starting in 2016, the Space and Missile Systems Center began flying missions using the [[Falcon 9]] rocket.]]

As part of the Air Force's restructuring in the early 1990s, Air Force Systems Command merged with [[Air Force Logistics Command]] to form [[Air Force Materiel Command]] on 1 July 1992. As part of this merger, the Space Systems Division was redesignated as the Space and Missile Systems Center on the same date.<ref name="lineage" /> On 1 October 1993, the 6592nd Air Base Group was redesignated the 655th Air Base Squadron as part of an Air Force-wide restructuring of support groups. In January 1993, [[Kirtland Air Force Base]] and the [[377th Air Base Wing]] were directly assigned to the Space and Missile Systems Center and the [[61st Air Base Group]] at [[Los Angeles Air Force Base]] was activated on 1 October 1994, replacing the 655th Air Base Squadron. On 8 April 1997, the Philips Laboratory was merged with other Air Force laboratories to form the [[Air Force Research Laboratory]] and Kirtland Air Force Base and its 377th Air Base Wing was transferred to the [[Air Armament Center]] on 1 October 1998. The remaining space functions at Kirtland AFB, including test and evaluation, launch of experimental payloads, and Space Shuttle Operations were consolidated into Detachment 12 which activated on 29 June 2001.<ref name="History" />

The [[START I]] treaty of 1991 and [[START II]] treaty of 1993 between the United States and the Soviet Union and its successor, the Russian Federation, dramatically reduced the amount of nuclear warheads in each superpower's arsenal. This resulted in the U.S. Air Force reducing the amount of Minuteman missiles, reconfiguring its missiles to have only one warhead, and scrapping the Pershing missiles. Due to the dramatic reduction in ballistic missiles, the Space and Missile Systems Center's Ballistic Missile Organization was officially inactivated in September 1993.<ref name="History" />

The Space and Missile Systems Center followed up on the Space Division's development of the [[Delta II]] and [[Atlas II]] space launch vehicles, procuring launches using the upgraded [[Atlas III]], which used the Russian [[RD-180]] engine. Following six launch failures from April 1998 to May 1999 the Department of Defense started the Launch Broad Area Review, releasing its report in November 1999 and recommending that the Space and Missile Systems Center have broadened responsibility for all Department of Defense launches, from acquisition to deliver of spacecraft on-orbit.<ref name="History" />

In August 1994, President [[Bill Clinton]] signed a National Transportation Space Policy, assigning responsibility for expendable launch vehicles to the Defense Department and directed it to develop improved variants of current vehicles. In response, the Space and Missile Systems Center built the [[Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle]] program and awarded the first contracts in 1995. One went to [[McDonnell Douglas]] for the [[Delta IV]] and [[Delta IV Heavy]], while the other went to [[Lockheed Martin]] for the [[Atlas V]].<ref name="History" /> In 2006, the two launch providers merged to form [[United Launch Alliance]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ulalaunch.com/about|title = About ULA}}</ref> In 2016, [[SpaceX]] was awarded its first military launch under the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program, using its [[Falcon 9]] and [[Falcon Heavy]] boosters.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/4/27/11521784/spacex-contract-us-air-force-gps-satellite-national-security-launch|title=SpaceX wins its first satellite launch for the US Air Force|date=27 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/air-force-certified-falcon-heavy-for-national-security-launch-but-more-work-needed-to-meet-required-orbits/|title=Air Force certified Falcon Heavy for national security launch but more work needed to meet required orbits|date=21 September 2019}}</ref> In 2019, in part due to SpaceX's success with reusable rockets, the program's name was changed to [[National Security Space Launch]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/03/with-reusable-rockets-on-the-rise-air-force-changes-eelv-program-name/|title = EELV isn't what it used to be: Air Force changes launch program name|date = 4 March 2019}}</ref>

In 1994, the Space and Missile Systems Center had started the [[Space-Based Infrared System]] (SBIRS) program to replace the [[Defense Support Program]]. SBIRS was built upon technology tested for the [[Strategic Defense Initiative]], launching its first satellite in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.patrick.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/330095/45th-space-wing-launches-first-sbirs-geo-satellite/|title = 45th Space Wing Launches First SBIRS GEO Satellite| date=13 May 2011 }}</ref> Since the 1970s, proposals were made to merge the military and [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]'s (NOAA) weather satellites. In 1994, President Clinton directed that the programs eventually be merged. In 1995, the Air Force, NASA, and NOAA started the [[National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System]] which was intended to replace the Defense Metrological Support Program and be operated by NOAA, but the program collapsed due to cost overruns in 2010 and a full merging of the programs has not occurred. A second Defense Department-only effort, the [[Defense Weather Satellite System]], was canceled by Congress in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://breakingdefense.com/2021/12/space-force-moves-closer-to-replacing-aging-dmsp-weather-sats/|title = Space Force moves closer to replacing aging DMSP weather sats|date = 22 December 2021}}</ref>

The [[Global Positioning System]] constellation became fully completed in 1994 and achieved initial operational capability in 1995. [[Milstar]] had its first launch in 1995 and the Space and Missile Systems Center started development on the [[Wideband Global SATCOM]] system to replace the [[Defense Satellite Communications System]] and the [[Advanced Extremely High Frequency]] to replace Milstar. The [[Brilliant Pebbles]] space-based anti-missile interceptor was transferred to the Space and Missile Systems Center in 1993 from the [[Ballistic Missile Defense Organization]], but was terminated in 1994.<ref name="History" />

In 2001, the Space Commission came out with its report on national security space. A major recommendation was realigning the Space and Missile Systems Center from Air Force Materiel Command to [[Air Force Space Command]] to consolidate management of space programs to one major command. This occurred on 1 October 2001.<ref name="History" />

[[File:Air Force Space Command.png|thumb|In 2001, military space development was consolidated under [[Air Force Space Command]].]]
{{Gallery
| title        = Space and Missile Systems Centers wings and groups (2006–2010)
| align        = center
|width=120
| captionstyle = text-align:center;
|Global Positioning Systems Wing.png|[[Global Positioning Systems Wing]]
|Launch and Range Systems Wing.png|[[Launch and Range Systems Wing]]
|Military Satellite Communications Wing.png|[[Military Satellite Communications Systems Wing]]
|Space Based Infrared Systems Wing.png|[[Space-Based Infrared Systems Wing]]
|File:Space Superiority Systems Wing.png|[[Space Superiority Systems Wing]]
|File:Space Development and Test Wing.png|[[Space Development and Test Wing]]
|61st Air Base Wing.svg |[[61st Air Base Wing]]
|File:Satellite Control and Network Systems Group.PNG|Satellite Control Network Systems Group
|SpaceLogisticsGroup.jpg|Space Logistics Group
|File:Defense Meteorological Systems Group.PNG|Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Systems Group
|File:Missile Defense Systems Group.PNG|Missile Defense Systems Group
}}

On 1 August 2006, the Space and Missile Systems Center reorganized itself along a traditional Air Force wing and group construct. These included the [[Military Satellite Communications Systems Wing]] which replaced the MILSATCOM Joint System Program Office (JPO), the [[Launch and Range Systems Wing]], which replaced the Launch and Ranges JPO, the [[Global Positioning Systems Wing]], which replaced the Navstar GPS JPO, the [[Space-Based Infrared Systems Wing]], which replaced the SBIRS System Program Office (SPO), the [[Space Superiority Systems Wing]], the [[Space Development and Test Wing]] at Kirtland Air Force Base, which included the former SMC Detachment 12, the [[61st Air Base Wing]], which replaced the 61st Air Base Group, the Satellite Control and Network Systems Group, which replaced the Air Force Satellite Control Network SPO, the Space Logistics Group, which replaced the SMC Logistics Support Squadron, and the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Systems Group, which replaced the DMSP SPO.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.losangeles.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/344449/smc-wing-activation-ceremony-designates-new-organizations/|title=SMC Wing activation ceremony designates new organizations|date=8 September 2006 }}</ref> On 31 March 2008, the Missile Defense Systems Group was activated.<ref name="lineage" />

{{Gallery
| title        = Space and Missile Systems Center directorates and divisions (2010–2019)
| align        = center
|width=120
| captionstyle = text-align:center;
|File:Advanced Systems and Development Directorate.png|[[Advanced Systems and Development Directorate]]
|File:Global Positioning Systems Directorate.png|[[Global Positioning Systems Directorate]]
|File:Launch Enterprise Directorate.png|[[Launch Enterprise Directorate]]
|File:Military Satellite Communications Systems Directorate.png|[[Military Satellite Communications Directorate]]
|Range and Network Systems Division.png|Range and Network Systems Division
|File:Remote Sensing Systems Directorate.png|[[Remote Sensing Systems Directorate]]
|File:Space Superiority Systems Directorate.png|[[Space Superiority Systems Directorate]]
|Logo of Infrared Space Systems Directorate.png|[[Infrared Space Systems Directorate]]
|File:Space Logistics Directorate shield.jpg|Space Logistics Directorate
|61st Air Base Group.png|[[61st Air Base Group]]
}}

However, in response to the lead of Air Force Materiel Command, on 10 November 2010 the wings and groups redesignated as directorates and divisions as part of an Air Force acquisitions wide effort.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tinker.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/386553/improvement-plan-realigns-acquisition-wings-as-directorates-some-afmc-changes/|title = Improvement plan realigns acquisition wings as directorates, some AFMC changes| date=9 October 2009 }}</ref> This resulted in the 61st Air Base Wing being inactivated and replaced with the 61st Air Base Group, the GPS Wing becoming the [[Global Positioning Systems Directorate]], the Launch and Range Systems Wing becoming the [[Launch Enterprise Directorate]], the MILSATCOM Wing becoming the [[Military Satellite Communications Directorate]], the Space Superiority Systems Wing becoming the [[Space Superiority Systems Directorate]], the SIBRS Wing becoming the [[Infrared Space Systems Directorate]], the Space Development and Test Wing becoming the Space Development and Test Directorate, the Space Logistics Group becoming the Space Logistics Directorate, the DMSP Group becoming the Defense Weather Systems Directorate, the Missile Defense Systems Group becoming the Missile Defense Systems Division, and the Satellite Control and Network Systems Group becoming the Satellite Control and Network Systems Division
<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.losangeles.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/343907/smc-redesignates-wings-and-groups/|title=SMC Redesignates Wings and Groups|date=16 November 2010 }}</ref>

In 2014, the Space and Missile Systems Center combined its Developmental Planning Directorate and the Space Development and Test Directorate to form the Advanced Systems and Development Directorate.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/554895/smc-stands-up-new-advanced-systems-and-development-directorate/|title = SMC stands up new Advanced Systems and Development Directorate| date=24 November 2014 }}</ref> The Range and Network Systems Division was eventually stood up to replace the functions of the Satellite Control and Network Systems Division and in 2015 the Defense Weather Systems Directorate and Infrared Space Systems Directorate were combined into the [[Remote Sensing Systems Directorate]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.afspc.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/1012587/space-and-missile-systems-center/|title = Space and Missile Systems Center}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.satellitetoday.com/government-military/2015/04/22/us-air-force-opens-remote-sensing-systems-directorate/|title = US Air Force Opens Remote Sensing Systems Directorate - Via Satellite -|date = 22 April 2015}}</ref> In 2019, these directorates were all replaced as part of the SMC 2.0 reorganization, which instead established the Development Corps, which was responsible for innovation and prototyping, a Production Corps, an Enterprise Corps, which conducted support for products and launch, and an Atlas Corps which provided personnel management.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/air-force-just-months-away-from-completing-smc-2-0-reorganization/|title = Air Force just months away from completing SMC 2.0 reorganization|date = 21 March 2019}}</ref>

===Redesignation as Space Systems Command and transfer to the Space Force===
[[File:SSC Emblems Unveiling Ceremony (7).jpg|thumb|Headquarters of Space Systems Command]]

When 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, but functionally remained a major command within the Air Force. The Space and Missile Systems Center remained a part of United States Space Force as it was redesignated as [[Space Operations Command]], until it was reassigned to Headquarters Space Force on 22 April 2021 and officially transferred from the U.S. Air Force center to a U.S. Space Force field command, although it continued to use the Space and Missile Systems Center name.<ref name="lineage" />

In July 2021, President [[Joe Biden|Biden]] nominated Deputy Director of the [[National Reconnaissance Office]] [[Major general (United States)|Maj Gen]] [[Michael Guetlein]] to lead Space Systems Command. He was [[List of positions filled by presidential appointment with Senate confirmation|confirmed]] with a promotion to [[Lieutenant general (United States)|lieutenant general]] on 29 July 2021 which became effective on 13 August 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.c4isrnet.com/battlefield-tech/space/2021/07/14/biden-nominates-deputy-director-of-the-national-reconnaissance-office-to-lead-new-space-systems-command/|title=Biden nominates deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office to lead new Space Systems Command|last=Strout|first=Nathan|publisher=Defense News|date=July 14, 2021|access-date=July 17, 2021}}</ref>

On 13 August 2021, the Space and Missile Systems Center was redesignated as Space Systems Command on 13 August 2021. The commander is a Space Force lieutenant general, while the deputy command is a Space Force major general and is also responsible for space launch. In addition to Space and Missile Systems Center units realigning, the 61st Air Base Group was redesignated the [[Los Angeles Garrison]]. Space Systems Command also gained [[Space Launch Delta 30]] and [[Space Launch Delta 45]], which they had given up to Air Force Space Command in 1990. The commander of Space Launch Delta 45, a brigadier general, is the Space Systems Command operations director and range acquisitions lead. [[Air Force Research Laboratory]] space units, such as the Space Vehicles Directorate, Space Electro-Optical Division, Rocket Propulsion Division, and Space Systems Technology Division, administratively report to Space Systems Command, while remaining under the aligned under Air Force Research Labs. The [[Air Force Life Cycle Management Center]]'s Strategic Warning and Surveillance Systems Division, responsible for ground-based radars, missile warning, space domain awareness, missile defense systems, and shared early warning capabilities, transferred to Space Systems Command.<ref name="auto3"/> Space Systems Command also provides support to the [[Space Rapid Capabilities Office]] and [[Space Development Agency]] (to be transferred in 2022), which are direct reporting units to the [[Chief of Space Operations]].<ref name="auto3"/>

=== Further developments ===
One 8 December 2023, SSC stood up the first two provisional System Deltas (SYDs) in an activation and assumption of command ceremony at the Los Angeles Air Force Base.

The two SYDs will prototype a new concept to maximize the recently announced provisional Integrated Mission Deltas (IMDs), which are organized around mission areas (e.g. position, navigation, and timing; electromagnetic warfare) instead of functional ones (e.g. intelligence, operations, cyber effects). The new Deltas were announced by the Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman in a CSO Notice To Guardians published 13 October 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spaceforce.mil/Portals/2/Documents/CSO%20C-Notes/C-Note%2018%20(13%20Oct%2023)%20--%20Forging%20a%20Purpose-built%20Space%20Force.pdf|last=Saltzman|first=Chance|title=CSO NOTICE TO GUARDIANS (C-NOTE #18)|date=13 October 2023|access-date=7 February 2024}}</ref>

SYDs will consolidate program offices in SSC that design, develop, and deliver mission systems under a mission-focused command structure for acquisitions. IMDs will consolidate all aspects of mission-area readiness into a single organization, combining units in Space Operations Command (SpOC) that perform mission generation, intelligence support, and cyber defense with program offices at SSC that handle sustainment.

Pairing IMDs in SpOC with complementary SYDs in SSC will streamline unity of effort for capability development.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/459545/ssc-launches-space-forces-first-two-system-deltas|title=SSC Launches Space Force's first two System Deltas|website=Defense Visual Information Distribution Service|access-date=December 9, 2023|archive-date=December 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209043600/https://www.dvidshub.net/news/459545/ssc-launches-space-forces-first-two-system-deltas|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Symbolism==
{{Gallery
| title        = Emblems of Space Systems Command and its predecessors
| align        = center
|width=140
| captionstyle = text-align:center;
|File:Space Systems Command emblem.png|Space Systems Command (2021–present)
|File:Space and Missile Systems Center.png|Space and Missile Systems Center (2002–2021)
|File:Space and Missile Systems Center.png (1992-2002).jpg|Space and Missile Systems Center, Space Systems Division, Space Division, and Space and Missile Systems Organization (1968–2002)
|File:USAF - Systems Command.png|Space and Missile Systems Organization (1967–1968)
|File:Space Systems Division emblem.png|Space Systems Division (1962–1967)
|File:Ballistic Systems Division emblem.png|Ballistic Systems Division (1962–1967)
|File:USAF - Systems Command.png|Space Systems Division and Ballistic Systems Division (1961–1962)
|File:Air Force Ballistic Missile Division emblem.png|Air Force Ballistic Missile Division (1960–1961)
|File:Air Research and Development Command - emblem.png|Western Development Division and Air Force Ballistic Missile Division (1954–1960)
}}

===Space Systems Command emblem and color===

At the top of the design, rising into space, is a delta riding on an ignition plume. The delta and plume represent the [[space launch vehicle|launch vehicles]] need to place Space Force assets into orbit and signifies launch operations from [[Western Range (USSF)|West]] and [[Eastern Range|East]] coast ranges. The constellation [[Aquila (constellation)|Aquila]] symbolizes the space environment, reflecting Space Systems Command's developing and fielding of space warfighting capabilities. The primary star represents the Space Force's on-orbit capabilities. The sweeping orbit and thunderbolt represent the Space Force's space assets safeguarding the Earth.<ref name="SSC Emblem Final Reveal">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dvidshub.net/video/808584/ssc-emblem-final-reveal|title = SSC Emblem Final Reveal}}</ref>

[[Gold (color)|Gold]] is Space Systems Command's distinguishing color and signifying the excellence and intelligence required to identify, prototype, and field innovative space capabilities.<ref name="SSC Emblem Final Reveal">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dvidshub.net/video/808584/ssc-emblem-final-reveal|title = SSC Emblem Final Reveal}}</ref>

The Space Systems Command emblem and flag were unveiled on 13 April 2021, replacing the Space and Missile Systems Center emblem.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/end-of-an-era-space-and-missile-systems-center-is-now-space-systems-command/|title = End of an era: Space and Missile Systems Center is now Space Systems Command|date = 13 August 2021}}</ref>

===Post–2002 Space and Missile Systems Center emblem===
After space and missiles functions were reunited under the Space and Missile Systems Center, it continued to use the old Space and Missile Systems Organization emblem for 10 years. However, when the Space and Missile Systems Center transferred from Air Force Materiel Command to Air Force Space Command it adopted a new emblem on 2 August 2002 to better express its mission and allegiance to Air Force Space Command.<ref name="History" />

Blue and yellow are the Air Force colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the primary theater of Air Force operations. Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of Air Force personnel. The globe represents the night and day missions that the satellite and missile systems must perform. The four pole stars symbolize the [[communications satellite|communication]], [[Global Positioning System|navigation]], [[spy satellite|surveillance]] and [[weather satellite]]s utilized by the Center. The flight symbol stands for deployed [[intercontinental ballistic missile|missile systems]].<ref name="History" />

===Pre–2002 Space and Missile Systems Center, Space Division, and Space and Missile Systems Organization emblem===
When the Space and Missile Systems Organization was activated in 1967, it determined it needed a new emblem to represent its space and missile missions. The SAMSO emblem was first approved on 22 May 1968. When the Space Division was established in 1979, it continued to use the SAMSO emblem but reinterpreted it. When the Space and Missile Systems Center was established in 1992, the dual space and missile symbiology was restored. The emblem was replaced in 2002 when the Space and Missile Systems Center transferred to Air Force Space Command.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.losangeles.af.mil/SMC/HO/smcemb.doc|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20010920220655/http://www.losangeles.af.mil/SMC/HO/smcemb.doc|archive-date = 20 September 2001|title = Los Angeles Air Force Base > Home}}</ref>

The Space and Missile Systems Center Organizational emblem represents the cooperation of science, industry, and the military in advancing the defense technology of the United States, and the role of SMC in unifying and directing this effort. It also symbolizes the two major elements of the Organization's mission-- [[ballistic missile|missile]] and [[space launch vehicle|space booster power]] and [[satellites]] in orbit.<ref name="Los Angeles Air Force Base Home">{{Cite web|url=http://www.losangeles.af.mil/SMC/HO/Smcemb.htm|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20010926092702/http://www.losangeles.af.mil/SMC/HO/Smcemb.htm|archive-date = 26 September 2001|title = Los Angeles Air Force Base > Home}}</ref>

In the first symbolism, the diagonal lines represent the role of science, industry, and the military, respectively, in advancing defense technology; and the triangle depicts the function of SMC in directing and managing the work of these elements in the pursuit of desired military objectives. The circle surrounding the diagonal lines represents the total integrating role of SMC in planning, developing and testing military systems and in acquiring them for the national defense.<ref name="Los Angeles Air Force Base Home"/>

In the second symbolism, the triangle joined by the three lines symbolizes rocket booster power for payloads as the basis for both ballistic missile and space systems, while the circle represents both satellites and their orbital traces.<ref name="Los Angeles Air Force Base Home"/>

===Air Force Ballistic Missile Division, Space Systems Division, and Ballistic Systems Division===
When the Western Development Division was first established in 1954, it used the emblem of its major command, [[Air Research and Development Command]]. This was carried over by the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division until it created its own emblem on 2 November 1960, which was based on Air Research and Development Command's. However, with the activation of Air Force Systems Command in 1961, the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division was split.<ref name="History" />

The Space Systems Division was established in 1961 and modified the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division's emblem to form its own, was used from 5 July 1962 until the Space and Missile Systems Organization was formed in 1967. The Ballistic Systems Division also modified elements of the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division, having its emblem approved on 14 February 1962. The Ballistic Systems Division's emblem was retired following the Space and Missile Systems Organization's establishment in 1967, but the Ballistic Missile Office received authorization to use it starting on 1 December 1980, and it was continuously used by the Ballistic Systems Division and Ballistic Missile Organization until it was inactivated on 2 September 1993.<ref name="History" />

== Structure ==
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Delta
!Headquarters
!Current commander
|-
! colspan = 3 | Space Systems Command
|-
|[[File:Space Base Delta 3 emblem.png|25px]] [[Space Base Delta 3]] (SBD 3)|| [[Los Angeles Air Force Base]], [[California]] || Col Mia L. Walsh
|-
|[[File:SSC delta template.png|25px]] Space Acquisition Management Delta<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/2911544//|title=Contracts for January 25, 2022|website=U.S. Department of Defense|access-date=July 14, 2022|archive-date=July 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714050420/https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/2911544//|url-status=live}}</ref> || [[Peterson Space Force Base]], [[Colorado]] || 
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan = 3 | [[File:Assured_Access_To_Space_Directorate.png|25px]] ''Assured Access To Space Directorate'' (AATS or SSC/AA)
|-
|[[File:SSC delta template.png|25px]] Acquisition Delta – Mission Solutions (AAM)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://milsatmagazine.com/story.php?number=1825099460 | title=MilsatMagazine | access-date=June 26, 2022 | archive-date=June 25, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625222450/http://milsatmagazine.com/story.php?number=1825099460 | url-status=live }}</ref> || [[Los Angeles Air Force Base]], [[California]] || Col Chad W. Melone
|-
|[[File:SSC delta template.png|25px]] Acquisition Delta – Launch Execution (AAL)<ref name=Nov2022OrgChart>{{cite web|url=https://www.ssc.spaceforce.mil/Portals/3/SSC%20Org%20Chart_updated_Dec_16_1.pdf|title=Space Systems Command Org Chart - Nov 2022|access-date=April 26, 2023|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407061016/https://www.ssc.spaceforce.mil/Portals/3/SSC%20Org%20Chart_updated_Dec_16_1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> || [[Los Angeles Air Force Base]], [[California]] || Col James T. Horne<ref>https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-horne-84507b1/ {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref>
|-
|[[File:Space Launch Delta 30 emblem.png|25px]] [[Space Launch Delta 30]] (SLD 30)|| [[Vandenberg Space Force Base]], [[California]] || Col Mark A. Shoemaker
|-
|[[File:Space Launch Delta 45 emblem.png|25px]] [[Space Launch Delta 45]] (SLD 45)|| [[Patrick Space Force Base]], [[Florida]] || Brig Gen [[Kristin Panzenhagen]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan="3" | [[File:Battle_Management_Command,_Control,_and_Communications_Directorate.png|25px]] ''Battle Management Command, Control, and Communications Directorate'' (BMC3 or SSC/BC)<ref name=Nov2022OrgChart/>
|-
|[[File:SSC delta template.png|25px]] Acquisition Delta – Operational Command and Control || [[Los Angeles Air Force Base]], [[California]] || Col Cecilia Montes de Oca<ref name=Jul2023OrgChart>{{cite web|url=https://www.ssc.spaceforce.mil/Portals/3/External%20SSC%20Org%20Chart_31Jul23_1.pdf|title=Space Systems Command Organization|website=spaceforce.mil|date=31 July 2023|access-date=15 October 2023|archive-date=October 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231024081048/https://www.ssc.spaceforce.mil/Portals/3/External%20SSC%20Org%20Chart_31Jul23_1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|[[File:SSC delta template.png|25px]] Acquisition Delta – Tactical Command and Control || [[Los Angeles Air Force Base]], [[California]] || Col Peter C. Mastro
|-
|[[File:SSC delta template.png|25px]] Product Support Delta – Data Transport<ref name="ppt" />|| [[Peterson Space Force Base]], [[Colorado]] || Shawn Sawyer
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan="3" | [[File:Military_Communications_&_Positioning,_Navigation,_and_Timing_Directorate_emblem.png|25px]] ''Military Communications & Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Directorate'' (MCPNT or SSC/CG)<ref name=Nov2022OrgChart/>
|-
|[[File:SSC delta template.png|25px]] Acquisition Delta – Tactical SATCOM (CGT)<ref name=ppt>{{cite web|title=Military Communications & Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Overview with GPS Update - PNT Advisory Board|url=https://www.gps.gov/governance/advisory/meetings/2022-05/delapena.pdf|access-date=November 17, 2022|archive-date=December 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205051618/https://www.gps.gov/governance/advisory/meetings/2022-05/delapena.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> || [[Los Angeles Air Force Base]], [[California]] || Charlotte M. Gerhart
|-
|[[File:SSC delta template.png|25px]] Acquisition Delta – Strategic SATCOM (CGS)<ref name=ppt/> || [[Los Angeles Air Force Base]], [[California]] || Col A. J. Ashby<ref name=Jul2023OrgChart/>
|-
|[[File:SSC delta template.png|25px]] Acquisition Delta – Narrowband SATCOM (CGN)<ref name=ppt/> || [[Naval Base Point Loma]], [[California]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ssc.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/Where-We-Operate | title=Where We Operate | access-date=August 29, 2022 | archive-date=August 29, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829072134/https://www.ssc.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/Where-We-Operate | url-status=live }}</ref> || Capt Peter J. Sheehy
|-
|[[File:SSC delta template.png|25px]] Positioning, Navigation, and Timing System Delta (PNT SYD)<ref name="auto1"/> || [[Los Angeles Air Force Base]], [[California]] || Matthew L. Spencer
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan = 3 | [[File:Space Sensing Directorate emblem.png|25px]] ''Space Sensing Directorate'' (SSC/SN)
|-
|[[File:SSC delta template.png|25px]] Acquisition Delta – Commercial Space || [[Washington, D.C.]] || Col Richard Kniseley<ref name=Jul2023OrgChart/>
|-
|[[File:Acquisition_Delta – Resilient Missile Warning, Tracking, Defense.png|25px]] Acquisition Delta – Resilient Missile Warning, Tracking, Defense (SNR) <ref name=Nov2022OrgChart/> || [[Los Angeles Air Force Base]], [[California]] || Col Heather B. Bogstie
|-
|[[File:Acquisition Delta – Environmental and Tactical Surveillance emblem.png|25px]] Acquisition Delta – Environmental and Tactical Surveillance (SNS)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hitchens |first=Theresa |date=July 12, 2022 |title=Space Force considers asking satellite firms to host payloads for tactical ISR |url=https://breakingdefense.sites.breakingmedia.com/2022/07/space-force-considers-asking-satellite-firms-to-host-payloads-for-tactical-isr/ |access-date=July 14, 2022 |archive-date=December 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217085445/https://breakingdefense.com/2022/07/space-force-considers-asking-satellite-firms-to-host-payloads-for-tactical-isr/ |url-status=live }}</ref> || [[Los Angeles Air Force Base]], [[California]] || Col Daniel J. Visosky<ref name=Jul2023OrgChart/>
|-
|[[File:SSC delta template.png|25px]] Acquisition Delta – Strategic Missile Warning<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.airforcemag.com/new-missile-warning-satellite-set-to-launch-will-complete-sbirs-constellation/ | title=New Missile-Warning Satellite, Set to Launch, Will Complete SBIRS Constellation | date=August 2, 2022 | access-date=August 4, 2022 | archive-date=August 4, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804034418/https://www.airforcemag.com/new-missile-warning-satellite-set-to-launch-will-complete-sbirs-constellation/ | url-status=live }}</ref> || [[Los Angeles Air Force Base]], [[California]] || Col Daniel T. Walter
|-
|[[File:SSC delta template.png|25px]] Product Support Delta – Space Sensing (SNP)<ref name=Nov2022OrgChart/> || [[Peterson Space Force Base]], [[Colorado]] || Anita J. McCorvey
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan = 3 | [[File:Space_Domain_Awareness_and_Combat_Power_Directorate.png|25px]] ''Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power Directorate'' (SDACP or SSC/SZ)<ref name=Nov2022OrgChart/>
|-
|[[File:Acquisition_Delta_–_Innovation_and_Prototyping_emblem.png|25px]]Acquisition Delta – Innovation and Prototyping (SZI)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.milsatmagazine.com/story.php?number=1723081952 | title=MilsatMagazine | access-date=June 26, 2022 | archive-date=May 20, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520154632/http://milsatmagazine.com/story.php?number=1723081952 | url-status=live }}</ref> || [[Kirtland Air Force Base]], [[New Mexico]] || Col Joseph J. Roth
|-
|[[File:SSC delta template.png|25px]] Acquisition Delta – Warfighter Enterprise || [[Los Angeles Air Force Base]], [[California]] || Col Corey J. Klopstein
|-
|[[File:SSC delta template.png|25px]] Acquisition Delta – Space Warfighting (SZA) || [[Los Angeles Air Force Base]], [[California]] || Col Erik S. Stockham
|-
|[[File:SSC delta template.png|25px]] Acquisition Delta – Advanced MILSATCOM || [[Los Angeles Air Force Base]], [[California]] || John Kirkemo
|-
|[[File:Acquisition Delta – Space Domain Awareness.png|25px]] Acquisition Delta – Space Domain Awareness (SZG)|| [[Peterson Space Force Base]], [[Colorado]] || F. Schnell
|-
|[[File:Acquisition_Delta_–_Strategic_Warning_and_Surveillance_Systems.png|25px]] Acquisition Delta – Strategic Warning and Surveillance Systems (SZQ) || [[Peterson Space Force Base]], [[Colorado]] || Col Jason E. West
|-
|[[File:SSC delta template.png|25px]] Electromagnetic Warfare System Delta<ref name="auto1"/> || [[Los Angeles Air Force Base]], [[California]] || Jordan Riedel
|- 
|}
{{Color box|#ffffcc|border=darkgray}} Denotes planned unit but not yet activated.

== List of commanders ==
[[File:General Bernard A Schriever.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|General [[Bernard Schriever]] was the founder of the Western Development Division and widely considered to be the father of the military space program.]]

{{Main|Commander of Space Systems Command}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan=2| {{abbr|No.|Number}}
! colspan=2| Commander
! colspan=3| Term
|-
! Portrait
! Name
! Took office
! Left office
! Duration
|-
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 1
| military_rank     = Lieutenant General
| image             = Lt Gen Michael Guetlein.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Michael Guetlein]]
| born_year         = 
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 13 August 2021
| term_end          = 21 December 2023
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|13 August 2021|21 December 2023}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = -
| military_rank     = 
| image             = Joy M. White.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Joy M. White]]
| born_year         = 
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 21 December 2023
| term_end          = 1 February 2024
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|21 December 2023|1 February 2024}}
| acting            = y
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 2
| military_rank     = Lieutenant General
| image             = Lt Gen Philip A. Garrant (2) (cropped).jpg
| officeholder      = [[Philip Garrant]]
| born_year         = 
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 1 February 2024
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 February 2024}}
}}
|}

==See also==
'''U.S. Armed Forces systems commands'''
* [[United States Army Materiel Command|Army Materiel Command]]
* [[Marine Corps Systems Command]]
* [[United States Navy systems commands]]
** [[Naval Sea Systems Command]]
** [[Naval Air Systems Command]]
** [[Naval Information Warfare Systems Command]]
** [[Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command]]
** [[Naval Supply Systems Command]]
* [[Air Force Materiel Command]]

== References ==
{{commons category}}
{{Reflist}}

==Sources==
{{USGovernment|url=https://www.losangeles.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/}}

{{United States Space Force}}
{{USAF Space Command}}
{{United States research agencies}}
{{Defence Materiel Procurement Agencies}}
{{Portalbar|Technology}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Space And Missile Systems Center}}
[[Category:Units and formations of the United States Space Force]]
[[Category:El Segundo, California]]
[[Category:Military units and formations in California]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1954]]
[[Category:1954 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Science and technology in Greater Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Field commands of the United States Space Force]]
[[Category:Satellite operators]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 2021]]