Space Systems Command (SSC)’s Space Command and Control (Space C2) program began the decommissioning of Joint Space Operations Center (JSpOC) Mission System (JMS) Service Pack 9 (SP-9) this month, marking a significant step towards the continued modernization of Space Domain Awareness (SDA) capabilities for the nation.
“The lessons learned from this legacy system have been central to the development strategy and planning of the Space C2 program,” said Col. Wallace “Rhet” Turnbull, director, SSC Cross Mission Ground and Communications Enterprise. “The decommissioning of JMS SP-9 demonstrates the progress the program is making toward advancing the overall SDA mission to be modern, responsive, and resilient for the military space enterprise.”
The operational acceptance of Warp Core on Oct. 1, 2021, along with the transition of modernized capabilities, data feeds, and secure connections being delivered to warfighters, allowed for the physical decommissioning of JMS. Warp Core is a commercially available capability used for data ingestion, retention, processing, and normalization to relay information to decision-makers effectively and efficiently across the U.S. Department of Defense and serves as a data layer for the Advanced Tracking and Launch Analysis System (ATLAS).
In addition to serving as the data layer for ATLAS, Warp Core has also been leveraged to support other current and ongoing missions, such as providing a secure, live collaboration environment for tactical, operational, and strategic planning for information dominance operations for NORAD-NORTHCOM’s (N-NC) situational awareness and decision-making. N-NC leveraged Warp Core during the Global Information Dominance Experiment series to support accurate data sharing and real-time situational awareness for operational execution across multiple Combatant Commands. Additionally, Warp Core provides enterprise data management and operations software solutions for humanitarian relief efforts such as Operation Allies Refuge and Operations Allies Welcome supporting the evacuation and relocation of tens of thousands of Afghan allies, including those who worked alongside the U.S. in Afghanistan.
“Space Domain Awareness capabilities are more important than ever given recent events such as Russia’s Anti-Satellite test that occurred this past November,” Col. Turnbull continued. “The decommissioning of JMS demonstrates the progress we have made in this critical mission area and our commitment to improve the way we do business to ensure the safety and security of our nation’s space assets and astronauts.”
Space Systems Command is the U.S. Space Force field command responsible for rapidly identifying, prototyping and fielding resilient space capabilities for joint warfighters. SSC delivers sustainable joint space warfighting capabilities to defend the nation and its allies while disrupting adversaries in the contested space domain. SSC mission areas include launch acquisition and operations; space domain awareness; positioning, navigation and timing; missile warning; satellite communication; and cross-mission ground, command and control and data.
