As Air Force Space Command approaches its 30th Anniversary on 1 Sep, here is a significant milestone that led to the creation of a new command responsible for the space domain...
On 30 July 1982, the first Ground-Based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance (GEODSS) system site was operational in Socorro, N.M. The system was developed to detect, track, and identify all tasked space objects within its area of coverage. GEODSS performs its mission using a telescope, low-light-level television cameras, and computers. The telescopes are able to "see" objects 10,000 times dimmer than the human eye can detect. This sensitivity allows the system to only operate at night and provide data on deep space objects in orbit from 3,000 to 22,000 miles.
GEODSS is a vital part of USSTRATCOM's Space Surveillance Network and the Air Force Space Surveillance System (AFSSS), also known as the "space fence". The SSN, including GEODSS, is tasked to provide space object cataloging and identification, satellite attack warning, timely notification to U.S. forces of satellite fly-over, space treaty monitoring, and scientific and technical intelligence gathering.
At the time of initial operation the Socorro site was part of the 1st Strategic Aerospace Division, Strategic Air Command, and in 1983 was transferred to Space Command. It is now operated by a detachment assigned to the 21th Operations Group.
On 30 July 1982, the first Ground-Based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance (GEODSS) system site was operational in Socorro, N.M. The system was developed to detect, track, and identify all tasked space objects within its area of coverage. GEODSS performs its mission using a telescope, low-light-level television cameras, and computers. The telescopes are able to "see" objects 10,000 times dimmer than the human eye can detect. This sensitivity allows the system to only operate at night and provide data on deep space objects in orbit from 3,000 to 22,000 miles.
GEODSS is a vital part of USSTRATCOM's Space Surveillance Network and the Air Force Space Surveillance System (AFSSS), also known as the "space fence". The SSN, including GEODSS, is tasked to provide space object cataloging and identification, satellite attack warning, timely notification to U.S. forces of satellite fly-over, space treaty monitoring, and scientific and technical intelligence gathering.
At the time of initial operation the Socorro site was part of the 1st Strategic Aerospace Division, Strategic Air Command, and in 1983 was transferred to Space Command. It is now operated by a detachment assigned to the 21th Operations Group.