The 4th Space Operations Squadron at Schriever AFB, Colo., received satellite control authority of the third Advanced Extremely High Frequency communications satellite during a recent transfer ceremony, said base officials. The MILSATCOM Program Office, a division of the Space and Missile Systems Center in Los Angeles, has had satellite control authority over AEHF-3 since its launch in September, states a March 27 release. The satellite reached geosynchronous orbit in January. “The operational position of the satellite, and hence its coverage area, is up to US Strategic Command. We are prepared to support users and the combatant commands’ needs wherever the satellite is finally positioned,” said Lt. Col. Alistair Funge, 4th SOPS operations officer, in the release. The transfer ceremony took place March 21. The fourth AEHF vehicle is tentatively slated to launch into space in 2015, states the release.
Since President Donald Trump first unveiled his “Golden Dome” missile defense initiative in late January, much of the focus for it has been focused on space—how the Pentagon may deploy dozens, if not hundreds, of sensors and interceptors into orbit to protect the continental U.S. from missile barrages. But the Air…