Shuttle return to flight includes local efforts (Forwarded)

Air Force Space Command News Service

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 19, 2005

Story ID 07-226

Shuttle return to flight includes local efforts
By Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Thibault, AFSPC Public Affairs

PETERSON AFB, Colo. -- A top space story today is NASA's Discovery
Shuttle pending launch. The launch marks NASA's space shuttle return to
flight, but they are not doing it alone.

"NASA could not launch the space shuttle without range and space
surveillance support from the Air Force Space Command," said Jeffrey
Ashby, former astronaut and liaison between the command and the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration. "The dedication and attention to
detail of AFSPC members are absolutely necessary for safe operation of
the space shuttle."

That support is provided by the members of the 1st Space Control
Squadron, 45th Space Wing, 21st Space Wing, 14th Air Force and Air Force
Space Command. Each unit is part of the command's combined efforts to
meet both launch and on-orbit space shuttle requirements.

"We support NASA through our space surveillance network," said Lt. Col.
David Maloney, chief, Space Situation Awareness Branch. "Our network
consists of 31 radars and telescopes that track more than 13,000
man-made objects on a daily basis."

This information, mostly provided by the 1st SPCS, comes into play when
the NASA plans the shuttle's launch and orbit path.

"It's important to know where all of the objects are because we
certainly don't want to launch the shuttle into the oncoming path of an
orbiting man-made space object that is sufficient size to damage the
shuttle," said Colonel Maloney.

Outside of the SSA support, the Safety and Range/Spacelift Division at
AFSPC headquarters also contributes to the shuttle launch.

"After the last launch, NASA said they needed better cameras. During the
past two years we have worked on enhancements at the range to include
long-range cameras that can track the shuttle after launch and improved
video playback capabilities," said Maj. Vince Cassara, chief, Safety and
Range/Spacelift Division.

Major Cassara's division also assists with range money and equipment
issues and oversight for the day-to-day operations.

With their stake in the shuttle launch, the major and his team are
sticking close to their television screens waiting for updates on the
mission status. The shuttle returning to flight "would be something we'd
really like to see," he said.