Past Success, Future Focus
The Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) was created for the development and acquisition of space and missile systems to support the vital global missions of the U.S Air Force. Our original mission to develop strategic missiles was expanded in 1955 to include responsibility for developing the world’s first military satellite system!.
- Today, SMC leads the development, acquisition, fielding and sustainment of the world’s best space and missile systems.
- The work we do enables Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) to deliver unparalleled capabilities and operational choices to national decision makers and joint warfighters.
- In addition, the natural technology spin-offs from our cutting-edge work provide significant economic and technological benefits to the nation.
What We Do
SMC is the Air Force "center of technical excellence" for researching, developing and purchasing military space systems. It's also responsible for on-orbit check-out, testing, sustainment and maintenance of military satellite constellations and other DoD space systems. The men and women of SMC take this critical mission seriously, and it is a big responsibility. From precision navigation and timing, to global satellite communications, to space-based surveillance and missile warning, we help ensure that our space assets provide decision makers with an unparalleled degree of accuracy, connectivity, and situation awareness to promote precise, synchronized, local and global operations.
