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America's Space Defense Agencies
The Gazette |
Headquarters: Peterson AFB
Operations: Cheyenne Mountain Air Station
Cheyenne Mountain Air Station is home to a network of military organizations that scan the skies above North America and the world, searching for threats against American citizens and the U.S. armed forces. It is the first line of defense against attack on North America.
The military hollowed out the inside of Cheyenne Mountain in the 1960s to house personnel and equipment, whose purpose was to monitor the skies for missile or air attack. The facility was originally designed to withstand a thermonuclear blast. Though modern nuclear warheads are capable of reaching the base, the station's design and location still make it virtually impregnable from conventional attack.
North American Aerospace Defense Command
(NORAD)
Commander in Chief: Gen. Ralph Eberhart
Established in 1958 by the United States and Canada, the North American Aerospace Defense Command warns both nations of missile and air attack and safeguards the sovereign airspace over North America.
NORAD controls U.S. and Canadian radar systems and military aircraft to defend North America from attack by either ballistic missile or aircraft. NORAD is supported by the U.S. Space Command, which provides NORAD with surveillance and warning information. The commander in chief of NORAD may either be an American or Canadian general. Historically the role has been filled by an American. The officer is charged with reporting any attack to the prime minister of Canada and the U.S. president. As long as the commander in chief is American, that officer also fulfills the role as commander in chief of the U.S. Space Command.
NORAD is divided into U.S., Canadian and Alaskan regions. Its operations center is based inside Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado.
Commander in Chief: Gen. Ralph Eberhart
The U.S. Space Command consists of the Army, Navy and Air Force space commands, the Department of Defense Manned Space Flight Support Office, Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center and 14th Air Force.
Its various missions include controlling a fleet of satellites that provide ballistic missile warning, communications, weather and navigation, and positioning support for America's armed forces. Space Command also provides space-based ballistic missile support warning to theater commanders for theater ballistic missile defense. The same support is also provided to North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) for the protection of North America against ballistic missile threats. Space Command's control center is located in Cheyenne Mountain and also tracks satellites and space debris and warns U.S. space system operators of potential danger to their satellites.
Commander in Chief: Gen. Ralph Eberhart
Air Force Space Command operates a worldwide Air Force satellite control network and constantly monitors the operation of satellites in orbit. The command is also responsible for launching and operating military satellites.
The Air Force command tracks and catalogues 8,000 man-made objects orbiting the earth. The objects can range in size from a baseball to large satellites and include everything from space junk to operational satellites. The command assists NASA in ensuring a safe path for space shuttles. It also operates the Global Positioning System and supports the military with navigation and weather information, missile warning, satellite communication, and intelligence.
Commander: Lt. Gen. John Costello
The U.S. Army Space Command is charged with monitoring and protecting ground forces from theater ballistic missiles. It also operates the Defense Satellite Communications System.
The Army command operates joint tactical ground stations throughout the world to give support to American and allied troops. It plans and controls the use of the military's satellite communications systems. It also develops new space-based technology and functions as a component of the U.S. Space Command.
Commander: Rear Admiral Pat Moneymaker
Naval Space Command serves as an alternate space control center for the U.S. Space Command in Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Base. It provides space-based support for Naval forces and the Marine Corps.
The Naval command's primary task is to provide space support to U.S. fleets and Marine units around the globe. Support includes warning ships of threats over the horizon as well as providing communication, and navigational and weather information. The Navy tracks and identifies all man-made objects in space and provides projections on where they will be at any given moment for 1,000 customers. It also monitors the space environment and informs owners and operators of U.S. and allied satellite systems of potential threats.
| Cheyenne Mountain Air Station | |
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Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center (CMOC) does not offer tours for the general public. In lieu of going inside Cheyenne Mountain, CMOC Public Affairs and Presentations offers a General Public Presentation (GPP). The GPP is a multi-media presentation that includes a brief history of Cheyenne Mountain, the facilities inside the mountain, and missions of CMOC. Reservations can be made by calling the Cheyenne Mountain Public Affairs and Presentations Office at (719) 474-2238. |
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| Getting there | Interactive Map |
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From Colorado Springs, take Nevada Avenue south -- it will turn into Colorado Highway 115. From Colorado 115 take the Cheyenne Mountain Air Station exit and merge onto NORAD Road going westbound. Follow the road until you reach the visitor center. Click on the map to the right to get more detailed directions from your starting point. Phone: (719) 474-2238 |
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