Air Force Satellite Control Network The Air Force Satellite Control Network ( AFSCN ) provides support for the operation , control , and maintenance of a variety of United States Department of Defense and some non - DoD satellites . This involves continual execution of Telemetry , Tracking , and Commanding ( TT & C ) operations . In addition , the AFSCN provides prelaunch checkout and simulation , launch support , and early orbit support while satellites are in initial or transfer orbits and require maneuvering to their final orbit . The AFSCN provides tracking data to help maintain the catalog of space objects and distributes various data such as satellite ephemeris , almanacs , and other information . Overview . The AFSCN consists of satellite control centers , tracking stations , and test facilities located around the world . Satellite Operations Centers ( SOCs ) are located at Schriever Air Force Base near Colorado Springs , Colorado , and various other locations throughout the continental United States . These SOCs are manned around the clock and are responsible for the command and control of their assigned satellite systems . The SOCs are linked to remote tracking stations ( RTSs ) around the world . Space vehicle checkout facilities are used to test launch vehicles and satellite platforms to ensure that the onboard systems operate within specifications . The RTSs provide the link between the satellites and the SOCs . A similes , especially those in geostationary orbit , never come within view of their control center . Each antenna at an RTS is referred to as a " side " . Previously , Side A typically included a dish antenna . Side B typically included a antenna . At some sites , the B side included a antenna . Over time , however , as the network upgraded and / or replaced the antennas , the old conventions no longer apply . History . AFSCN was originally activated to support the CORONA / Discoverer program in 1959 . An interim satellite control center was initially established in Palo Alto , California , and by June 1960 , a permanent control center had been established Sunnyvale AFS , later renamed Onizuka AFS , Sunnyvale , California . The main operations control center , now at Schriever Air Force Base , Colorado Springs , CO , functions as a central command and control node for the remote tracking stations established at several different locations . Locations . The AFSCN maintains a number of tracking stations , which are used to track ( primarily ) US government agency & military satellites , as well as receive and process telemetry and send commands to these satellites . Said facilities are intended to support all Department of Defense satellites . Most tracking stations are operated by operational detachments of the 21st Space Operations Squadron ( 21 SOPS ) and 23d Space Operations Squadron . Many scientific and research satellites are supported as well . Automated Remote Tracking Stations . In the late 1980s and early 1990s , the RTSs were modernized with the addition of the Automated Remote Tracking Station ( ARTS ) systems . The ARTS systems provided more responsive support and reduced the manpower required at each site through semi - automation . In addition to upgrading all the existing sites , the ARTS Phase I program added the following sites to the AFSCN : RTS Block Change ( RBC ) Systems . Beginning in 2004 , an upgrade effort was started to replace the ARTS sites , which were already beyond their planned design life . While the project has been hampered by a number of technical issues and funding problems , the effort is well underway . As of 3 April 2012 , the following sites have been upgraded to the RBC configuration , which includes a 13 - meter 3 - axis antenna :