National Security Space Organizations 101

As threats to America in and from space grow, the United States government has emphasized the importance of developing space capabilities. To secure its space assets and prepare for future conflicts, the United States has tasked over a dozen organizations with significant national security space responsibility. Although not a comprehensive list, this document will outline the major federal organizations that work in the national security space sphere.

Military

United States Space Force

Overview: In February 2019, President Trump signed Space Policy Directive-4 (SPD-4), which directed the Department of Defense (DoD) to begin the process to establish the U.S. Space Force as the sixth branch of the United States Military within the Department of the Air Force. However, the creation of the new service branch required Congressional approval and funding in order to be created. After months of deliberations, Congress passed the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which formally establishes the United States Space Force as the sixth military service.

DoD expects the Space Force to reach its full operational capability by 2025. Its budget request for fiscal year (FY)2021 was around $15 billion.

Responsibilities: The chief responsibilities of the Space Force, as enumerated by the FY2020 NDAA, are to:

Protect the interests of the United States in Space;
Deter aggression in, from, and to space; and
Conduct space operations.

Under Title 10 § 9081 of the U.S. Code, the Space Force has the responsibility to organize, train, and equip space-focused military forces. Specifically, the Space Force is responsible for space surveillance, launch support, space situational awareness, satellite operation, satellite defense, and some missile defense functions. Previously, space forces and missions were scattered throughout DoD. With the establishment of the Space Force, DoD envisions consolidating all or many of these missions, forces, and authorities within the purview of the Space Force. The Space Force will then provide space support to other branches of the Armed Forces.

Leadership: The Secretary of the Air Force serves as the civilian leader of the Space Force and oversees both the Air and Space Forces. For the military, the Chief of Space Operations (CSO) is a four-star general that leads the Space Force and sits on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Graphic showing the organizational hierarchy of the Space Force, one of the national security space organizations. The chain of command shows the Secretary of the Air Force at the top, the chief of space operations and chief of staff equally below, and then below the chief of space operations, the vice chief of space operations, then the director of staff, and then equally below the director for human capitol and logistics, the director for operations, cyber and intelligence, and the director for plans, programs, requirements and analysis. — Source: Comprehensive Plan for the Organizational Structure of the U.S. Space Force, February 2020

The Senior Enlisted Advisor of the United States Space Force is held by a Chief Master Sergeant and represents the highest enlisted level of leadership in the Space Force. This position “serves as the personal adviser to the Chief of Space Operations and the Secretary of the Air Force on all issues regarding the welfare, readiness, morale, proper utilization and development of the U.S. Space Force.”

Composition:The Space Force is currently being reorganized but will be composed of three field operating commands led by three-star generals: Space Operations Command (SpOC), Space Systems Command (SSC), and Space Readiness and Training Command (STARCOM).

Headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base (AFB), SpOC will be the primary force provider for combatant commanders and joint forces.

SSC will be responsible for developing, acquiring, and sustaining space technology for warfighters. One of SSC’s units is the Space and Missile Systems Center (SMSC), which employs about 6,300 personnel and is headquartered at Los Angeles AFB in California. It is tasked with developing and testing new space technology as well as sustaining on-orbit platforms. Its directorates and program offices include the Military Satellite Communications Systems, Global Positioning Systems, Remote Sensing, Launch Enterprise, Space Superiority Systems, Advanced Systems and Development Directorates, as well as the Range and Network Systems Division.

STARCOM will focus on educating and training space warfighters. It is scheduled to be stood up in 2021.

The Space Force organizational hierarchy will consolidate “wings” and “groups” to a single mid-echelon designation called “deltas.” Deltas will be led by Colonels and squadrons will be led by Lt. Colonels.

United States Air Force

Overview: Before the creation of the Space Force, the Air Force handled many of the military’s space responsibilities. Since the establishment of the Space Force, most space-related Air Force units have been transferred or will be transferred to the Space Force. The Air Force jointly operates the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) with the Space Force.

Air Force Research Laboratory: The facility, which employs around 10,000 people, develops technology and conducts science experiments for air, space, and cyber mission areas. The Air Force is transferring parts of the AFRL to the Space Force in 2020, including the Space Vehicles Directorate, the Rocket Propulsion Division, the Electro-Optical Division, the Sensors Directorate, and the Research Lab Mission Execution unit.

National Air and Space Intelligence Center: NASIC is made up of 3,000 personnel across four intelligence analysis groups, totaling 18 squadrons. Among other responsibilities, NASIC is tasked with developing space and counterspace threat assessments to protect American space systems. The Center also assesses foreign ballistic missile systems with ranges larger than 1,000km. NASIC’s Space and Counter-Space Analysis squadrons will be transferred from the Air Force to the Space Force in 2020.

United States Space Command

Overview: The United States Space Command (USSPACECOM) was established in 1985, but dissolved in 2002, at which point its responsibilities were transferred to United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM). On August 29th, 2019, President Trump formally reestablished USSPACECOM. Composed of the Army, Navy, and Space Force component commands, USSPACECOM is the unified combatant command responsible for joint military operations in space. USSPACECOM features two subordinate commands, the Combined Force Space Component Command (CFSCC) and Joint Task Force-Space Defense (JTF-SD).

Combined Force Space Component Command (CFSCC): CFSCC integrates the space capabilities of the U.S. military and conducts space operations. It has four primary constituent parts:

The Combined Space Operations Center (CSpOC), also known as the 614th Air and Space Operations Center, carries out the daily command and control of the military’s joint space forces and manages the space and missile defense sensor network. CSpOC’s most notable mission, perhaps, is the monitoring and public reporting of over 23,000 objects in orbit.

The Missile Warning Center (MWC), headquartered at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station in Colorado, tracks and warns against ballistic missile threats targeting ground and space-based assets. It is responsible for detecting nuclear detonations, space re-entry events, and missile launches.

The Joint Overhead Persistent Infrared Center (JOPC), headquartered at Buckley AFB in Colorado, develops strategies for Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) intelligence gathering. A joint SPACECOM-NGA center, JOPC provides analysts with missile warning services, technical intelligence, and other capabilities. JOPC is sometimes referred to as the Joint OPIR Planning Center.

The Joint Navigation Warfare Center (JNWC), headquartered at Kirtland AFB in New Mexico, is tasked with achieving position, navigation, and timing superiority for DoD and interagency partners.

Joint Task Force-Space Defense (JTF-SD): JTF-SD conducts space superiority operations to deter aggressive actions from adversaries and defend American and allied interests in space. JTF-SD’s National Space Defense Center (NSDC), headquartered at Schriever AFB in Colorado, convenes personnel from DoD, agencies, and the intelligence community to execute space mission orders.

United States Army

Overview: Established in 1988, ARSPACE, the Army’s component of the first U.S. Space Command, was responsible for advising DoD on its space operations. In 1997, U.S. Army Space and Strategic Defense Command (USASSDC), ARSPACE’s successor organization, became the United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC), which is now the Army’s component of the recently re-established United States Space Command.

United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC): The USASMDC is an Army Service Component Command that is responsible, in part, for the Army’s space operations. USASMDC is composed of a variety of units and centers:

The USASMDC Technical Center includes the Space and Strategic Systems Directorate among its constituent departments. The Technical Center develops technologies like small satellite-enabled beyond-line-of-sight communications for troops in remote areas, small satellite imaging, command and control systems, and tactical data downlinks.

The Space and Missile Defense Center of Excellence provides training, education, and research services for the Army’s war-fighting capabilities.

The 100th Missile Defense Brigade, headquartered at Schriever AFB in Colorado, operates mid-course interceptors as part of the missile defense enterprise. The brigade’s major subordinate element is the 49th Missile Defense Battalion, which is staffed by active duty national Guardsmen

The U.S. Army Satellite Operations Brigade is responsible for operating the payloads of the Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) and Wideband Global Satellite (WGS) constellations for wideband satellite communications. The 53rd Signal Battalion, headquartered at Fort Carson in Colorado, staffs the Army Satellite Operations Brigade and is tasked with managing and operating the Army’s satellites. The Brigade was formed from a recent reorganization which consolidated all Army satellite communications (SATCOM) missions into a single brigade.

The 1st Space Brigade is composed of two main battalions and a third unit relationship with a National Guard unit. This brigade carries out space operations to support warfighters. The 1st Space Battalion, headquartered at Fort Carson, Colorado, executes missions related to global theater ballistic missile warning, space situational awareness, and space, and technical operations support. The 2nd Space Battalion, the Army’s only space-related reserve battalion, is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and carries out space situational awareness and technical operations support missions. The Colorado Army National Guard’s 117th Space Battalion trains Guardsmen, enhancing the readiness of the 1st Space Brigade.

United States Navy

Overview: Although the Navy had a dedicated space command between 1983 and 2002, its space mission set was distributed to several subordinate commands when Naval Space Command was disestablished in 2002. Today, the Naval Network Warfare Command (NETWARCOM) and the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWARSYSCOM) manage Navy space operations. The naval component in the United States Space Command is U.S. Fleet Cyber Command.

Naval Information Warfare Systems Command: As many of the Navy’s space capabilities are related to its information warfare systems, the command was renamed from the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWARSYSCOM) to NAVWARSYSCOM to emphasize the importance of information in the organization’s mission. NAVWARSYSCOM is responsible for acquisitions and research of cyber, intelligence, and space platforms. Previously responsible for developing the military’s narrowband communications satellites, NAVWARSYSCOM is transferring the mission to the Air Force.

Naval Network Warfare Command (NETWARCOM): In 2002, 23 different organizations from several commands merged to form NETWARCOM. Today, NETWARCOM is responsible for operating the Navy piece of the Global Information Grid and delivering network and space-related war-fighting capabilities. NETWARCOM is part of U.S. Fleet Cyber Command, which itself is a component of U.S. Cyber Command and the United States Space Command. NETWARCOM is also home to the Navy Satellite Operations Center (NSOC), which operates satellite constellations like the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) narrowband tactical satellite communications system.

United States Naval Observatory (USNO): The USNO provides DoD with precise time, position, and motion measurements of stars, celestial bodies, and the Earth. The measurements are used by DoD to calibrate systems including GPS satellites and Network Time Protocol serves. The USNO has developed tools that utilize its star catalogs for surveillance planning and simulation purposes.

United States Strategic Command

Overview: Since its inception in 1992, the United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) has been responsible for global strike and strategic deterrence capabilities. It is also known for its global command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) mission sets. Before the creation of USSPACECOM in 2019, USSTRATCOM was responsible for space situational awareness, missile defense, and space operations. Many of USSTRATCOM’s missions were transferred to USSPACECOM, including hypersonic missile warning and defense responsibilities. However, the military has since clarified that USSTRATCOM will retain a portion of the space mission set. For example, USSTRATCOM’s J8 Program and Resource Integration Directorate will support USSPACECOM until it has its own J8 program. Depending on the location chosen for USSPACECOM’s headquarters, USSTRATCOM’s headquarters at Offutt AFB in Nebraska will be considered USSPACECOM East or USSPACECOM West because USSTRATCOM will also work on space capabilities.

Space Development Agency

Overview: Founded in March 2019, the Space Development Agency (SDA) is tasked with developing new capabilities for space warfighters. It develops and procures new technologies to bolster American capabilities in space. This new acquisition organization is intended to be a one-stop-shop for military space acquisitions to ensure DoD has common standards throughout the military. Currently, SDA is organized under the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. However, its integration into the Space Force is planned for 2022. SDA’s first major procurement will be a “meshed communications network.” The first 20 satellites in the constellation–considered “Tranche Zero”–will launch in 2022.

Defense Intelligence Agency

Overview: The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) provides military intelligence for DoD and interagency partners. Within DIA, the Missile and Space Intelligence Center focuses on space-related intelligence mission areas.

Missile and Space Intelligence Center (MSIC): Founded under Werhner Von Braun, MSIC provides intelligence assessments on foreign missile and space weapons capabilities for U.S. Combatant Commands. The Center focuses on identifying the abilities and vulnerabilities of foreign weapons systems. MSIC played a critical role during the Cold War by defeating Soviet air defenses to maintain Mutually Assured Destruction.

Intelligence Community

National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

Overview: Previously known as the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA), the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) is responsible for the analysis of geospatial intelligence (GEOINT). NGA’s intelligence products are used both by civilian policymakers and combat war-fighters. NGA primarily gathers its intelligence using imaging satellites and analyzes raw data using geographic information system (GIS) software. Although NGA participates in many intelligence operations, it notably played a large role in the raid on Osama Bin Laden’s compound in Pakistan and its predecessor, the National Photographic Interpretation Center (NPIC), was critical in locating and identifying Soviet missiles in Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

National Reconnaissance Office

Overview: Established in 1961 and declassified in 1992, the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) develops and operates intelligence satellites for the United States government. Historically, the NRO has been a joint project between the CIA and Air Force and many of its employees come from the Air Force. The intelligence gathered by NRO satellites is used by the military and various intelligence agencies.

National Security Agency

Overview: The National Security Agency (NSA) is one of America’s primary signals intelligence (SIGINT) and cybersecurity agencies. Although the NSA works on many issues, its Defense Special Missile and Astronautics Center (DEFSMAC) specifically focuses on space-related intelligence gathering.

Defense Special Missile and Astronautics: Created in 1964 and staffed by NSA and DIA personnel, DEFSMAC coordinates intelligence collection on foreign satellites and space platforms. In 2010, NGA formally joined the DEFSMAC partnership, making it a joint effort by the NSA, DIA, and NGA. DEFSMAC is also responsible for providing early warning services for space and missile launches in countries at war or experiencing a crisis.

Others

Executive Office of the President

Overview: There are a number of agencies, groups, and positions within the Executive Office of the President that handle national security space-related issues, including the National Space Council and occasionally the National Security Council (NSC) and the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).

National Space Council: President George H.W. Bush initially created the National Space Council in 1989. The Council was composed of the Vice President (Chairman), Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Commerce, Director of Transportation, Director of OMB, Chief of Staff to the President, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, Director of Central Intelligence, Administrator of the National; Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and occasionally joined by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. It was formally disbanded in 1993.

In 2017, President Trump revived and expanded the National Space Council. The National Space Council is responsible for coordinating interagency efforts and fostering American leadership in civil, commercial, and military space. The Council is now composed of the Vice President (Chair), Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of Transportation; Secretary of Energy; Secretary of Homeland Security, Director of National Intelligence, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, Administrator of NASA, Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and heads of other executive departments and agencies and other senior officials within the Executive Office of the President.

Other Executive Office of the President Components: Historically, the NSC Staff typically features a Director for Space within its Defense Policy and Arms Control office who works on national security space issues. The Office of Science and Technology Policy also plays an integral role in national security space policymaking. Historically, the Assistant Director of the Technology Division for Space and Aeronautics has handled national security space matters. The Office of Management and Budget also plays a critical role by coordinating the President’s annual budget requests, which includes all public funding for civil and military space programs.

Congress

Overview: The Strategic Forces Subcommittee of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees (HASC and SASC, respectively) direct policy and exert oversight over the national security space enterprise (including ballistic missile defense and space defense programs). Key among the HASC and SASC’s responsibilities is crafting the National Defense Authorization Act. The NDAA gives Congressional oversight to how the Department of Defense and other national security initiatives spend annual budgets.

In addition to the Armed Service Committees, The House and Senate Appropriations Committees also play a vital role in overseeing space operations. Specifically the Defense Subcommittees of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees draft the yearly appropriations bills that fund the military and intelligence agencies. As a result, the two committees dictate which programs are funded and which are cut.

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