Space MIAD Practice Test

What is the primary mission of the 1st Space Operations Squadron (1 SOPS)?

1. GPS

2. Satellite communication

3. Space Surveillance Network

4. Payload control for SATCOM

The correct answer is: Space Surveillance Network

The primary mission of the 1st Space Operations Squadron (1 SOPS) is to operate and manage the Space Surveillance Network (SSN). This involves tracking and cataloging objects in space, including satellites, debris, and other celestial bodies. The squadron focuses on ensuring space situational awareness, which is critical for maintaining the safety of space operations and protecting U.S. military and commercial assets in orbit. The SSN plays a vital role in monitoring the increasingly crowded space environment, providing information necessary for collision avoidance and space domain awareness. This function is essential in a technological landscape where satellite operations and space traffic management are more complex than ever. In contrast, while GPS, satellite communication, and payload control for SATCOM are important aspects of space operations, they do not encompass the full scope of 1 SOPS's activities. GPS is primarily related to navigation and timing services, satellite communication focuses on establishing communication links via satellites, and payload control for SATCOM deals specifically with the management of satellites used for communication. However, 1 SOPS's focus lies distinctly in the domain of space surveillance and tracking, aligning with the mission of maintaining comprehensive oversight of objects in space.