National Space Intelligence Center

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National Space Intelligence Center
Space Delta 18 emblem.png
Emblem
Active24 June 2022–present
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
BranchFlag of the United States Space Force.svg  United States Space Force
TypeDelta
RoleSpace intelligence
Size350 personnel (expected) [1]
Part of Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Intelligence
Headquarters Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
Commanders
CommanderCol Marcus D. Starks
Deputy DirectorCheryl Richmond [2]
Senior Enlisted LeaderCMSgt Melissa M. Owens [3]

The National Space Intelligence Center (NSIC) formerly known as "Space Delta 18" or "DEL 18", is the United States Space Force's intelligence agency. It is headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio and activated on 24 June 2022.

Contents

NSIC is a field operating agency that is responsible for performing national and military space missions and evaluating capabilities, performance, limitations, and vulnerabilities of space and counter-space systems and services. It is the Space Force's counterpart to the Army's National Ground Intelligence Center, Navy's Office of Naval Intelligence, and the Air Force's National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC). [1]

History

Lt Gen Whiting (left) and Col Randall (right) stand at attention during the activation of Space Delta 18, 24th June 2022 Delta 18 Activation and National Space Intelligence Center Establishment (5).jpg
Lt Gen Whiting (left) and Col Randall (right) stand at attention during the activation of Space Delta 18, 24th June 2022

The establishment of NSIC was ordered by Chief of Space Operations John W. Raymond. [4] It will be formed by transferring NASIC's Space Analysis Squadron and Counter-Space Analysis Squadron from the Space and Missiles Analysis Group to the Space Force. [5] Then Air Force Major General Leah Lauderback, the Space Force director of intelligence (S2)—to whom the center will ultimately report—led the planning effort. Congressional authorization is needed to create a field operating agency that reports directly to the S2. [1]

Awaiting funding for the establishment of the NSIC, the Space Force stood up the Space Force Intelligence Activity (SFIA) on 24 September 2021 as an interim unit. SFIA served under NASIC until the establishment of NSIC. [6] On 24 June 2022, NSIC was activated as Space Delta 18. [7]

On 28 June 2024, DEL 18 and NSIC were transferred from SpOC and redesignated as a field operating agency under the deputy chief of space operations for intelligence. [8] As part of the elevation to field operating agency, it was redesignated to the National Space Defense Center, losing the name Space Delta 18. [9]

Symbolism

Emblem of the National Air and Space Intelligence Center, NSIC's direct predecessor in the U.S. Air Force. National Air and Space Intelligence Center (seal).jpg
Emblem of the National Air and Space Intelligence Center, NSIC's direct predecessor in the U.S. Air Force.

The National Space Intelligence Center emblem design incorporates elements from the intelligence and space communities, its National Air and Space Intelligence Center heritage, and looks to the future. It consists of the following elements: [10]

Under its previous designation as Space Delta 18, DEL 18 took on the number 18 in honor of the Space Force becoming the 18th member of the United States Intelligence Community on 15 January 2021. [7] [11]

Structure

NSIC is composed of the following two squadrons transferred from NASIC's Space and Missiles Analysis Group. [12]

List of commanders

No.CommanderTermRef
PortraitNameTook officeLeft officeDuration
1
Col Marqus D. Randall (2) (cropped).jpg
Randall, Marqus D.Colonel
Marqus D. Randall		24 June 202228 June 20242 years, 4 days [13]
2
Col Marcus D. Starks.jpg
Randall, Marqus D.Colonel
Marcus D. Starks		28 June 2024Incumbent232 days [8] [14]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Space Force Prepares to Launch National Space Intelligence Center". SIGNAL Magazine. 27 April 2021. Archived from the original on 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  2. ↑ "Ms. Cheryl Richmond".
  3. ↑ "Chief Master Sergeant Melissa M. Owens". www.spoc.spaceforce.mil. Archived from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  4. ↑ "Chief of Space Operations' Planning Guidance 1st Chief of Space Operations" (PDF). media.defense.gov.
  5. ↑ "National Space Intelligence Center Takes Shape". 16 November 2020. Archived from the original on 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  6. ↑ "Space Force intelligence organization established at Wright Patterson Air Force Base". 4 October 2021. Archived from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  7. 1 2 "Space Delta 18 Activation, NSIC establishment ceremony". Space Operations Command (SpOC). 22 June 2022. Archived from the original on 25 June 2022. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  8. 1 2 "NSIC changes commanders, redesignated Field Operating Agency". United States Space Force. 1 July 2024.
  9. ↑ "National Space Intelligence Center". United States Space Force. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  10. ↑ "Space Delta 18 (National Space Intelligence Center) Emblem Explainer".
  11. ↑ "US Space Force Becomes 18th Member of US Intelligence Community". Defense One. 8 January 2021. Archived from the original on 27 July 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  12. ↑ "Space Delta 18". Space Operations Command (SpOC). Archived from the original on 24 June 2022. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  13. ↑ "Colonel Marqus D. Randall". www.spoc.spaceforce.mil. Archived from the original on 24 June 2022. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  14. ↑ "Colonel Marcus D. Starks" (PDF). NSIC. September 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 February 2025. Retrieved 15 February 2025.


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