10th Space Operations Squadron

The 10th Space Operations Squadron (10 SOPS) 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.[1][2]

10th Space Operations Squadron
Squadron emblem
Active1962–present[1]
Country United States
Branch United States Space Force
RoleSatellite communications
Part ofSpace Delta 8
HeadquartersPoint Mugu, California, U.S.
Commanders
CommanderLt Col Jason Sanders
Insignia
Naval Satellite Operations Center (1990-2022)
Navy Astronautics Group (1962-1990)

History
See also: Naval Space Command and United States Tenth Fleet
Navy Working Uniform "Type III" unit shoulder patch featuring the NAG emblem elements: Ursa Major & Polaris as a reference to celestial navigation and a stylized satellite orbiting earth. Also shown are Laguna Peak and Mugu Rock.

The first military space operations command in history,[3] the Navy Astronautics Group (NAVASTROGRU or NAG) was founded in April 1962. 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.[4] The Navy Astronautics Group was redesignated as the Naval Satellite Operations Center (NAVSOC) in June 1990.

Space Force (2022-present)
Lt Gen Stephen Whiting and VADM Ross Myers at the joint NAVSOC/10 SOPS ceremony on 6 June 2022.

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.[5][6][7] On 6 June 2022, NAVSOC was formally disestablished and 10 SOPS assumed its mission, personnel, resources, and heritage in total.[8] According to Space Delta 8, the squadron was given its number to honor its heritage under 10th Fleet.[9]

Constellations

The unit has operated various types of military satellites, including:

Constellation Abbreviation First launch Purpose
Transit NAVSAT or NNSS 1959 Navigation
Fleet Satellite Communications System FLTSATCOM or FLTSAT 1978 Communication
Geodetic Satellite[3] GEOSAT 1985 Earth observation
Ultra High Frequency Follow-On UFO 1993 Communication
Geodetic Satellite Follow-On[10] GFO 1998 Earth observation
Mobile User Objective System MUOS 2012 Communication

Command Structure

Former site:

List of commanders
  • Lt Col Jason Sanders, 6 June 2022

References
  1. "(U) NAVSOC". www.wslfweb.org.
  2. "50th Space Wing's satellites, ground systems buoy NAVSOC". Schriever Space Force Base.
  3. "From the Sea to the Stars A Chronicle of the U.S. Navy's Space and Space-related Activities, 1944-2009". Naval History and Heritage Command. 2010.
  4. "U.S. Navy operates on Schriever". Schriever Space Force Base. 13 October 2016.
  5. "Space Force reveals which Army and Navy units are moving to the space branch". SpaceNews. 21 September 2021.
  6. "Army, Navy SATCOM Mission Areas Shifting to U.S. Space Force". United States Space Force.
  7. "Army, Navy satellite operations to consolidate under Space Force". SpaceNews. 23 June 2021.
  8. "Space Delta 8". www.facebook.com.
  9. "Navy Satellite Center Disestablished, Transferred to U.S. Space Force". SeaPower Magazine. 9 June 2022.
  10. "GFO (GEOSAT Follow-On) Satellite". eoPortal Directory. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
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