10th Space Operations Squadron
{{short description|U.S. Space Force unit}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = 10th Space Operations Squadron
| image = 10th Space Operations Squadron emblem.png
| image_size = 200px
| caption = Squadron emblem
| dates = 1962–present{{Cite web|url=http://www.wslfweb.org/docs/roadmap/irm/internet/spforsup/cat/html/sfssonav.htm|title=(U) NAVSOC|website=www.wslfweb.org}}
| country = {{flag|United States}}
| branch = {{no wrap|{{space force|United States}}}}
| type =
| role = Satellite communications
| size =
| command_structure = Space Delta 8
| garrison = Point Mugu, California, U.S.
| garrison_label = Headquarters
| nickname =
| motto =
| commander1 = Lt Col Jesse Diaz
| commander1_label = Commander
| commander2 =
| commander2_label = Deputy Commander
| commander3 =
| commander3_label = Superintendent
| notable_commanders =
| identification_symbol = right
| identification_symbol_label = Naval Satellite Operations Center (1990–2022)
| identification_symbol_2 = File:Navy Astronautics Group emblem.jpg
| identification_symbol_2_label = Navy Astronautics Group (1962–1990)
}}
The 10th Space Operations Squadron (10 SOPS) is the United States Space Force unit responsible for operating the Mobile User Objective System and Ultra-High Frequency Follow-On satellite constellations, providing global communications to the United States Armed Forces.{{Cite web|url=https://www.schriever.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2081672/50th-space-wings-satellites-ground-systems-buoy-navsoc/|title=50th Space Wing’s satellites, ground systems buoy NAVSOC|website=Schriever Space Force Base}}
History
= Navy (1962–2022) =
{{See also|Naval Space Command|United States Tenth Fleet}}
File:Naval Satellite Operations Center patch.jpg unit shoulder patch featuring the NAG emblem elements: Ursa Major and Polaris as a reference to celestial navigation and a stylized satellite orbiting Earth. Also shown are Laguna Peak and Mugu Rock.]]
The first military space operations command in history,{{Cite web|url=https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/f/from-sea-stars.html|title=From the Sea to the Stars A Chronicle of the U.S. Navy's Space and Space-related Activities, 1944-2009|website=Naval History and Heritage Command|date=2010}} the Navy Astronautics Group (e or NAG) was established on May 22, 1962 under the command of CDR J.C. Quillen, Jr.{{Cite web|url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/histories/naval-aviation/Naval%20Aviation%20News/1960/pdf/feb63.pdf|title=Naval Aviation News|date=February 1963|page=9|format=pdf|access-date=December 7, 2023}} Tasked with operating the Navy's satellites, the unit commanded the Navy Navigational Satellite System, also known as Transit, the world's first satellite navigation system.{{Cite web|url=https://www.schriever.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/971019/us-navy-operates-on-schriever/|title=U.S. Navy operates on Schriever|website=Schriever Space Force Base|date=13 October 2016}} The Navy Astronautics Group was redesignated as the Naval Satellite Operations Center (NAVSOC) in June 1990.
= Space Force (2022-present) =
File:NAVSOC_10_SOPS_joint_ceremony.jpg Stephen Whiting and VADM Ross Myers at the joint NAVSOC/10 SOPS ceremony on 6 June 2022.]]
In September 2021, it was announced that NAVSOC would be transferred from the Navy to the newly-independent US Space Force under Space Delta 8.{{Cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/space-force-reveals-which-army-and-navy-units-are-moving-to-the-space-branch/|title=Space Force reveals which Army and Navy units are moving to the space branch|date=21 September 2021|website=SpaceNews}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article/2785434/army-navy-satcom-mission-areas-shifting-to-us-space-force/|title=Army, Navy SATCOM Mission Areas Shifting to U.S. Space Force|website=United States Space Force}}{{Cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/army-navy-satellite-operations-to-consolidate-under-space-force/|title=Army, Navy satellite operations to consolidate under Space Force|date=June 23, 2021|website=SpaceNews}} On 6 June 2022, NAVSOC was formally disestablished and 10 SOPS assumed its mission, personnel, resources, and heritage in total.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=346298440922136&id=100066259494552|title=Space Delta 8|website=www.facebook.com}} According to Space Delta 8, the squadron was given its number to honor its heritage under 10th Fleet.{{Cite web|url=https://seapowermagazine.org/navy-satellite-center-disestablished-transferred-to-u-s-space-force/|title=Navy Satellite Center Disestablished, Transferred to U.S. Space Force|date=9 June 2022|website=SeaPower Magazine}}
Constellations
The unit has operated various types of military satellites, including:
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Constellation
! Abbreviation ! First launch ! Purpose |
|---|
| Transit
| NAVSAT or NNSS | 1959 |
| Fleet Satellite Communications System
| FLTSATCOM or FLTSAT | 1978 |
| Geodetic Satellite
| GEOSAT | 1985 |
| Ultra High Frequency Follow-On
| UFO | 1993 |
| Geodetic Satellite Follow-On{{Cite web|url=https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/content/-/article/gfo|title=GFO (GEOSAT Follow-On) Satellite|access-date=February 18, 2022|website=eoPortal Directory}}
| GFO | 1998 |
| Mobile User Objective System
| MUOS | 2012 |
Command Structure
- Headquarters, Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu, California
- Detachment A, Prospect Harbor, Maine
- Detachment C, Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station, Dededo, Guam
- Detachment D, Schriever SFB, El Paso County, Colorado
Former site:
List of commanders
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{commonscat-inline}}
{{United States Space Force}}
Category:Military education and training in the United States