Air Force Space and Missile Operations

Air Force Space and Missile OperationsAir Force Space and Missile OperationsOrbiting satellites and space vehicles are not just used for communications, weather forecasting, and space explorationthey also play an important role in national security. The systems include surveillance, intercontinental ballistic missile launch, space lift, ballistic space warning, and satellite command and control. Role Summary Space operations officers perform associated battle management, command, control, and communications activities to defend and support the United States and allied forces. They also manage space flight planning, training, and mission control, along with launching and recovering spacecraft. Additionally, they may also be astronauts or crew members for space flights. Space and Missile Operations officers are divided into categories based on experience AFSC 13S4, StaffAFSC 13S3, QualifiedAFSC 13S2, IntermediateAFSC 13S1, Entry Duties and Responsibilities Space operations offi cers in the military perform a range of these duties Plan, organize and direct space and missile operations programs.Develop flight simulation exercises used to train astronauts.Observe, conduct and evaluate theeffectiveness of space systems and missile weapon systems training, standardization, and evaluation programs.Build future plans, requirements, concepts, directives and exercises for operational employment of systems and facilities.Plan space stationsDirect space center launch and recovery activitiesCommand and pilot space shuttlesMonitor foreign space flights and missile launches Formulate space and missile operations policies.Develop policies and procedures for current and future space and missile systems.Establish organizational structure, and determines personnel required to support mission areas. Establishes training requirements and performance standards for all systems.Coordinate with national and international space agencies on intercontinental ballistic missile launch , space, and satellite launching and space warning, tracking, control, and cataloging activities. Advise commanders and staff on thecapability of offensive and defensive units to meet operational requirements, and on matters for operational effectiveness, combat readiness, organization, and training.Conduct nuclear and emergency war reservierung training for combat crew members write nuclear and space annexes to operation plans.Conduct space and missile operations activities, including satellite health and status.Launch, early orbit, and on-orbit testing orbital analysis and surveillance.Catalog foreign and domestic space objects, detect the continental United States impacting ballistic missile threats and provide an assessment to national military command authorities. Specialty and Knowledge Qualifications The following knowledge is mandatory for award of the qualified AFSC roles Evolution of space and missilesSpace and missile organization, policy, and doctrine requirements, acquisition, and logistics communication systems and fundamentalsNuclear weapons responsibilitiesTechnical order and Air Force policy directive familiarizationAerospace environment orbital mechanicsTrajectory and reentry conceptsSatellite and launch vehicle subsystems missile combat crew operationsSpace warning and surveillanceForeign missions and systemsSpace and missile systemsapplications in a theater environment Emergency war orders concepts13S3A Satellite command and control systems.13S3B Spacecraft systems operation booster and payload processing range control and safety applications and launch processing and solid or liquid rocket performance.13S3C Combat crew procedures, fundamentals of electricity and electronics, principles of aerodynamics, missile guidance systems, power plants, and related components.13S3D/E Electronic, infrared, optical sensor operations orbital analysis and characteristics, tracking, ballistic missile trajectories, space surveillance, and space warning systems. Training The following training is mandatory for an award of AFSC 13S3X Completion of Undergraduate Space and Missile Training prior to entry into suffix specialized training courses.13S3A Completion of a C2 operations course.13S3B Completion of a space lift operations course.13S2C Completion of the missile combat crew operations course.13S3D/E Completion of a space surveillance and space warning operations course.13S3 Completion of an advanced space and missile training course. Experience The following experience is mandatory for an award of AFSC 13S3A A minimum of 12 months of experience in satellite C2 units.13S3B A minimum of 12 months of experience in space lift operations units.13S2C Proficiency in organizing directing launch operations and emergency war order and codes certification.13S3C Qualification in and possession of AFSC 13S2C. Also, a minimum of 12 months of experience as a deputy combat crew commander, and emergency war order and codes certificatio n.13S3D/E A minimum of 12 months of experience in space surveillance or space warning units.