VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. –
When NASA’s Crew-12 launched aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Feb. 13, 2026, space operators from the 18th and 19th Space Defense Combat Squadrons played a vital role in ensuring the crew’s safe journey to the International Space Station and will provide continued support through every phase of their mission. From conducting prelaunch analysis and monitoring space debris during liftoff to providing GPS enabled data support after splashdown—S4S helps safeguard U.S. interests in, from and to space.
Since 2000, U.S military space forces have supported NASA by tracking spacecraft, as well as the nearly 50,000 man-made objects orbiting Earth’s, with a global collection of ground and space-based sensors known as the U.S. Space Surveillance Network. The National Space Defense Center, one of five S4S operation centers, employs the 18th and 19th SDCS sister squadrons to function as a hub for foundational space awareness Together, they detect, process, and analyze space events such as launches, reentries, deorbits, breakups, and on-orbit maneuvers, while assessing and predicting potential collision risks.
The 19th SDCS provides NASA with pre-launch orbital analysis (and keeps overwatch when the crew eventually returns). Meanwhile, the 18th SDCS monitors the ISS 24/7 delivering routine conjunction assessment reports to NASA’s Trajectory Operations Officers to ensure the station remains clear of potential hazards from objects across the space catalog.
S4S-CJFSC promotes responsible behaviors in space and strengthens alliances and partnerships around the world to protect and defend the space domain. Managing human space flight support operations is just one more way that our hardworking professionals are involved in making space operations, and therefore space travel, safer for the world.