Space Systems Command

Space Systems Command
Space Systems Command emblem
Founded13 August 2021 (3 years, 3 months)
as Space Systems Command
Established on 20 Mar 1961 and organized on 1 Apr 1961
Country United States
Branch United States Space Force
TypeField command
Role
Size10,000 personnel[2]
HeadquartersLos Angeles Air Force Base, California, U.S.
Colors  Gold[3]
Decorations
Air Force Organization Excellence Award[4]
Websitessc.spaceforce.mil
Commanders
Commander Lt Gen Philip Garrant
Deputy CommanderCol Michele K. Idle
Senior Enlisted LeaderCMSgt Jacqueline Sauvé[5]
Insignia
Flag

Space Systems Command (SSC) is the United States Space Force's space development, acquisition, launch, and logistics field command. It is headquartered at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, and manages the United States' space launch ranges.[6]

The Western Development Division (WDD) was established on 1 April 1954 under Air Research and Development Command to manage the U.S. Air Force's ballistic missile program. It assumed responsibility for spacecraft development in 1955 and was renamed the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division (AFBMD) in 1957. As part of Air Research and Development Command's transformation, the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division's space and missile responsibilities were split. As such, the Space Systems Division (SSD) was established on 20 Mar 1961 and organized (activated) on 1 Apr 1961. In 1967, the Space Systems Division was reorganized as the Space and Missile Systems Organization (SAMSO), absorbing the Ballistic Systems Division's mission. In 1979, the Space and Missile Systems Organization was renamed the Space Division and divested itself of ballistic missile development. In 1989, the Space Division returned to its historic name of the Space Systems Division and regained its ballistic missile development role in 1990.

With the merger of Air Force Systems Command and Air Force Logistics Command in 1992, the Space Systems Division was redesignated the Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC). In response to the recommendations of the Space Commission, in 2001 it was reassigned to Air Force Space Command, remaining attached through its redesignation as Space Operations Command in October 2020. On 22 April 2021, it transferred from a U.S. Air Force unit to a U.S. Space Force unit and was reassigned from Space Operations Command to Headquarters United States Space Force. On 13 August 2021, the Space and Missile Systems Center was renamed Space Systems Command and became a full U.S. Space Force field command.[7][4]

  1. ^ "About Space Systems Command".
  2. ^ "USSF establishes 2nd Field Command, Guetlein assumes command". 13 August 2021.
  3. ^ "SSC Emblem Final Reveal".
  4. ^ a b "Space Systems Command (USSF) Lineage". Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  5. ^ "Chief Master Sergeant Jacqueline Sauvé". spaceforce.mil.
  6. ^ "Now boarding: Space Force wants to turn launch ranges into rocket 'airports'". 3 June 2021.
  7. ^ "Space Force establishes Space Systems Command". 13 August 2021.