Air Force Satellite Control Network - Current Remote Tracking Stations

Current Remote Tracking Stations

  • Colorado Tracking Station (CTS), Schriever AFB, Colorado; callsign PIKE. As of 2008, this site transitioned from an operational location to a testing facility, with operational support as possible. This site formally ceased operational support on 2 August 2012. It used to support various DoD satellites and previously included enhancement equipment that was used to support the Global Positioning System satellites.
  • Diego Garcia Station (DGS), Diego Garcia, BIOT; callsign REEF. The Diego Garcia Station has two sides (as of 2010) to provide enhanced tracking for the AFSCN users. This site also includes a GPS Ground Antenna site.
  • Guam Tracking Station (GTS), Guam; callsign GUAM. The Guam Tracking Station has two sides and will be undergoing a system upgrade to the new equipment suite. Much of the installation work is completed and formal testing begins in October 2012.
  • Hawaii Tracking Station (HTS), Kaena Point Satellite Tracking Station, Hawaii; callsign HULA. The Hawaii Tracking Station is located on the island of Oahu. The Hawaii Tracking Station will also be undergoing a system upgrade, which began in late 2011 and will continue throughout 2013.
  • New Hampshire Station (NHS), New Boston AFS, New Hampshire; callsign BOSS. The New Hampshire Tracking Station is located in New Boston, New Hampshire. It is also a dual antenna site and is undergoing a system upgrade that started in 2012 and is expected to go throughout 2013.
  • Telemetry & Command Station (TCS), RAF Oakhanger, in England, operated by the United Kingdom and supporting the AFSCN through a Memorandum of Agreement between the UK Ministry of Defence and the US Department of Defense; callsign LION. As of 2010, the site includes three sides.
  • Thule Tracking Station (TTS), Thule Air Base, Greenland; callsign POGO was a three-sided site until the summer of 2011, when the "C" side was decommissioned and dismantled in preparation for system upgrades that should be completed in 2015. This is the northernmost of the RTS, located at approximately 76.4 degrees north latitude.
  • Vandenberg Tracking Station (VTS), California; callsign COOK. This is a dual-sided station which provides normal on-orbit support but also provides pre-launch checkouts and launch support for the Western Test Range at Vandenberg Air Force Base.

Read more about this topic:  Air Force Satellite Control Network

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