10th Space Operations Squadron


The 10th Space Operations Squadron 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.

History

Navy (1962–2022)

The first military space operations command in history, the Navy Astronautics Group was established on May 22, 1962 under the command of CDR J.C. Quillen, Jr. 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. The Navy Astronautics Group was redesignated as the Naval Satellite Operations Center in June 1990.

Space Force (2022-present)

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. On 6 June 2022, NAVSOC was formally disestablished and 10 SOPS assumed its mission, personnel, resources, and heritage in total. According to Space Delta 8, the squadron was given its number to honor its heritage under 10th Fleet.

Constellations

The unit has operated various types of military satellites, including:
ConstellationAbbreviationFirst launchPurpose
TransitNAVSAT or NNSS1959Navigation
Fleet Satellite Communications SystemFLTSATCOM or FLTSAT1978Communication
Geodetic SatelliteGEOSAT1985Earth observation
Ultra High Frequency Follow-OnUFO1993Communication
Geodetic Satellite Follow-OnGFO1998Earth observation
Mobile User Objective SystemMUOS2012Communication

Command Structure

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