August 13, 2024:
The commander of the U.S. Air Force Space Operations Command, which is a component of the Space Force, wants to develop and use simulations so that Space Operations Command personnel can get some practical experience at their wartime jobs via simulations. Game companies are delighted. There are already some simulations in use by Space Command but Space Operations Command wants to develop and purchase more comprehensive simulations that will provide Space Force personnel with more realistic simulations.
The U.S. Space Force is the new, sixth branch of the American military, established in 2019 and staffed by 8,600 military personnel. The Space Force is subordinate to the U.S. Air Force, the same as the Marine Corps being part of the Navy and is the first subordinate service for the Air force. Currently Space Force operates 77 space satellites, including the U.S. GPS, Space Fence, missile warning system.
The Americans GPS satellite network currently consists of 38 usable satellites. Only 24 are needed to provide location information for anyone, anywhere on the planet with a GPS receiver. It costs $1.8 billion a year to operate. The Space Force also operates the Space Fence, a system established in 2020, consisting of a radar and support elements based on Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific. Space Fence detects active or defunct space satellites as well as manmade debris, and tracks all of it. This provides information on all satellites and space debris no matter who these objects belong to.
The Space Force also operates the American NMD (National Missile Defense) system which coordinates the activities of several U.S. Military and allied missile defense activities. NMD operates three early warning radars in Greenland, California and Britain. Another is being built in the Persian Gulf nation of Qatar, which agreed to purchase the radar in 2016 to provide warning of missile attacks from Iran. There is also a U.S. sea-based radar on a barge that can be towed to wherever it is needed. These radars provide target information for numerous missile systems used by the United States and allies to intercept ballistic missiles.