Florida unit locates, tracks space shuttle during missions

Published Oct. 23, 2006
By Staff Report
20th Space Control Squadron Operations Flight

Eglin AFB, Fla. -- Atlantis isn't too hard to find. In fact, the space warriors of the 20th Space Control Squadron kept a close eye on the spacecraft throughout its recent mission.

Tracking NASA's space shuttle flights is a critical mission for the 21st Space Wing geographically-separated unit. The 20th SPCS operates and maintains the world's most powerful bi-static, phased-array radar generating more than 30 million watts of power from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

During its 11-day mission in September, Atlantis' six crew members installed a new 35-ton module and a second set of solar arrays on the International Space Station, doubling its ability to generate power.

The 20th SPCS kept watch on the shuttle throughout the operation supplying launch and on-orbit data to the Joint Space Operations Center in Colorado Springs' Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station.

"With over 30,000 observations collected on a daily basis, we are the number one contributor to the Space Surveillance Network," said Lt. Col. Shane Connary, 20th SPCS commander. "We provide space situation awareness and protect the space assets supporting warfighters across the globe."

The 20th SPCS's space control mission requires Airmen to perform all-weather, 24-hour surveillance and reconnaissance of more than 9,000 satellites in support of U.S. Strategic Command and theater warfighter requirements, in addition to keeping an eye on NASA's shuttle missions.

"Tracking the shuttle gives our crews a chance to showcase their skills and our unit capabilities," said Capt. Rudi DiAmco, 20th SPCS Operations Flight commander. "They must remain vigilant in order to avoid exposing the shuttle or space station to harmful radiation from our powerful radar. They also closely monitor shuttle ops as it performs maneuvers and docks with the space station."

Data gathered on the last shuttle mission is a prime example of the role the unit plays in maintaining space situation awareness.

"As the space shuttle and International Space Station came into view of the radar, our operations crews detected and gathered data on an unknown object near the shuttle and immediately notified the Joint Space Operations Center," said Maj. Paul Tombarge, 20th SPCS operations officer. "With the data we provided, orbital analysts were able to determine that the object was a piece of debris, believed to be a tool left behind during one of the spacewalks."

The data was quickly shared with other sensors in the global Space Surveillance Network to maintain an accurate picture of the space environment and prevent possible collisions with manned space flights and high value satellites.

At the controls