Space Systems Command

Space Systems Command (SSC) is a field command of the U.S. Space Force, responsible for developing, acquiring, equipping, fielding, and sustaining lethal and resilient space capabilities for the U.S. military. As part of fielding, Space Systems Command is also responsible for launch operations, on-orbit checkout, developmental testing, sustainment, and maintenance of military satellite constellations and other Department of Defense space systems.

As of 2022, Space Systems Command managed an $11 billion annual budget and 10,000 personnel, including military, government civilians, and contractors.

Space Systems Command is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, and operates in several locations throughout the United States, as well as Ascension Island.

Locations of Space Systems Command Operations

In 2019, the United States Space Force was established as a new military service within the Department of the Air Force pursuant to the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. Subsequently, the Secretary of the Air Force established three field commands, one of which was Space System Command, each led by a lieutenant general or major general. On July 29, 2021, the United States Senate confirmed Michael Guetlein as the first commander of Space Systems Command.

Between 2019 and 2022, Space Systems Command conducted multiple major reorganizations with the goal of improving the space acquisition process. In August 2021, the U.S. Space Force activated Space Systems Command at Los Angeles Air Force Base. This establishment included the redesignation of the Space and Missile Systems Center, which was first established in 1954, making it the oldest space organization in the U.S. military.

Space Systems Command Organizational Chart

Despite these reorganization efforts, Congress continued to express concerns regarding the U.S. military's space acquisition process, in a report by the House Appropriations Committee (HAC): “The plans for establishing the new acquisition unit, Space Systems Command, consist primarily of renaming the Space and Missile Systems Center and incorporating existing space launch units. The plan does not resolve the fundamental issues of overlap and duplication in roles, responsibilities, and authorities among the various other space acquisition units.”

2022 Space Systems Command Org Chart.

In March 2022, Space Systems Command realigned its Program Executive Offices to better inform acquisition, budget, and requirements into the following five entities:

• Assured Access to Space—procures launch services and delivers on-orbit capabilities; also responsible for range sustainment programs supporting launch and test customers

• Battle Management Command and Control.—creates, integrates, and delivers resilient ground and communications capabilities

• Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power—produces, delivers, and operates space-based decision-making and deterrence capabilities

• Communications and Positioning, Navigation, and Timing—develops and delivers communications and positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) systems

• Space Sensing—develops and delivers space-based battlespace awareness capabilities for the warfighter through the rapid development and integration of Missile Warning, Missile Tracking, Environmental Monitoring, and Tactical Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities

According to the Commander of Space Systems Command, Lieutenant General Michael Guetlein,

The realignment makes a pivot within Space Systems Command and within the Space Force. It’s focused on countering the increasing threats that we’re seeing in space. It’s focused on guaranteeing Space capabilities to the nation and to the warfighter. It’s focused on development across the entire lifecycle."

In addition to its five Program Executive Offices, Space Systems Command established four other functional offices, focused on the following areas:

• Space Systems Integration—develops standards and specifications across the space enterprise

• Commercial Services—integrates initiatives involving commercial services, including satellite communications and space domain awareness

• International Affairs—builds relationships with partners and allies

• Warfighter Integration—integrates with combatant commands to ensure that the systems developed by Space Systems Command support the end users