The 50th Space Wing is the proud owner of a new antenna for its Air Force Satellite Control Network. The $16.1 million Antedo antenna replaces one in New Hampshire decommissioned in 2004 that had lasted for 44 years, some 16 years past its expected lifetime. The Space and Missile Systems Center’s Satellite Control and Network Systems Group oversaw the construction for the new antenna, which now joins the AFSCN network of 14 other antennas operated at eight locations around the world, reports Corey Dahl. The SMC-led team began the project in 1998 and completed installation in 2005, but it took months more to test and adjust the antenna before it could be brought online.
The Space Force has officially expanded its concept for combining operations, sustainment, cyber, and intelligence functions all under one roof, dropping the “provisional” tag from units that kicked off the idea last year and transitioning two more Deltas and missions to the structure.