Vandenberg SFB 18th SDS Space Defense Squadron Art

Vandenberg SFB 18th SDS Space Defense Squadron Art

The 18th Space Defense Squadron (18th SDS), part of Space Delta 2 and based at Vandenberg Space Force Base in the U.S. Space Force‘s premier Space Domain Awareness unit, provides continuous, combat-ready surveillance of the space environment. It commands and controls the Space Surveillance Network (SSN), tracking all man-made objects in orbit and maintaining custody of resident space objects (RSOs). The squadron conducts missions including launch detection, space catalog management, maneuver and breakup detection, reentry assessment, and human spaceflight support.

Additionally, 18th SDS leads U.S. Space Command’s Space Situational Awareness sharing program, providing tracking data to government, commercial, international, and academic partners. By tracking over 47,000 objects and sharing data via space-track.org, it promotes responsible space operations, reduces uncertainty, and supports space superiority for U.S. and allied interests. The squadron mascot is the “Nighthawks”.