The 10th Space Operations Squadron is a component of Delta 8, headquartered at Point Mugu, California.
Mission
The 10 SOPS mission is to operate, manage, and maintain assigned satellites and ground systems, providing continuous and reliable satellite communications in direct support of Fleet, Joint, and Interagency operations.
The 10 SOPS mission includes operations of the Fleet Satellite (FLTSAT) constellation, the Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) Follow-On (UFO) constellation, and the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) constellation capable of providing a combination of Extremely High Frequency (EHF), UHF, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA - 3G cellular technology), and Global Broadcast System (GBS) communications. Additionally, 10 SOPS operates two EHF packages that provide critical and protected strategic communications to military platforms operating in the northern polar region. Lastly, 10 SOPS provides critical voice and data communications for U.S. forces anytime and anywhere.
In addition to its Point Mugu Headquarters (HQ) facility, 10 SOPS operates three remote telemetry, tracking, and commanding (TT&C) facilities and a backup Satellite Operations Center (SOC):
10 SOPS Laguna Peak Facility, located atop Laguna Peak just three miles from 10 SOPS Headquarters, supports the Space-Ground Link System (SGLS) satellite TT&C operations.
10 SOPS Detachment ALFA, established in 1962, is located at Prospect Harbor, Maine. Detachment ALFA supports satellite TT&C through Space-Ground Link System and Extremely High-Frequency (EHF) capabilities.
10 SOPS Detachment CHARLIE, established in 1993, is located at Finegayan, Guam and serves as 10 SOPS’ third satellite Earth station. Detachment CHARLIE completes 10 SOPS’ nearly global coverage of the geosynchronous satellite belt and has SGLS and EHF TT&C capabilities.
10 SOPS Detachment DELTA is located at Schriever Space Force Base just outside Colorado Springs, Colorado. It serves as the backup SOC and dates back to 1988. Detachment DELTA shares the daily satellite operations load with the HQ SOC. In the event of an unscheduled and/or scheduled downtime at HQ, Detachment DELTA (COOP Site) will assume the role as the primary SOC until HQ is ready to resume in the prime role.
History
10 SOPS was commissioned in April 1962 as the Navy Astronautics Group (NAVASTROGRU) to operate the Navy Navigational Satellite System, known as TRANSIT. In June 1990, NAVASTROGRU was formally re-designated the Naval Satellite Operations Center- NAVSOC. In June 2022 NAVSOC was disestablished and the mission transferred to the newly created 10th Space Operations Squadron of the United States Space Force, a vital step in consolidating vital military satellite communications missions under one command.
(Current as of August 2022)