Kaena Point Space Force Station is a United States Space Force installation in Kaena Point on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. It is a remote tracking station of the Satellite Control Network responsible for tracking satellites in orbit, many of which support the United States Department of Defense, receiving and processing data and in turn, enabling control of satellites by relaying commands from control centers.
| Kaena Point Space Force Station | |
|---|---|
| Kaena Point, Oahu, Hawaii in the United States of America | |
 Antennae at Ka'ena Point | |
 Shield of the Space Base Delta 1 | |
  Ka'ena Point Location in Hawaii | |
| Coordinates | 21°33′41.0″N 158°14′21.2″W / 21.561389°N 158.239222°W |
| Type | Satellite tracking station |
| Area | 153 acres (62 ha) |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Department of Defense |
| Operator | United States Space Force |
| Controlled by | Space Operations Command (SPOC) |
| Open to the public | Partially, to access neighboring trails and campsites |
| Condition | Operational |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1959 |
| In use | 1959 – 2019 (US Air Force) 2019 – present (US Space Force) |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | 21st Space Operations Squadron (Detachment 3) |
The station originally opened in 1959 to support the Corona reconnaissance program.
Detachment 3, 21st Space Operations Squadron, part of Space Delta 6, operates Hawaii Tracking Station on the site. It was constructed in 1959, one of three built that year. The facility is placed near the westernmost point of the island of Oahu, atop a 1,500-foot (460 m) high ridge. The two radomes are locally known as the "golf balls", and are a popular landmark for fishing vessels in the surrounding waters.
Yokohama Bay State Park is at the base of the ridge, with a hiking trail that goes to the point and around to the northern side of the ridge, to Mokuleia Beach. The station roadways provide access to state hiking and hunting trails, as well as a camping site about 10 miles (16 km) inland called Peacock Flats by permit only. Permits to enter through the station to hike, hunt, or camp on the surrounding State lands can be obtained from the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources in downtown Honolulu.
On 16 June 2021, it was renamed from Kaena Point Satellite Tracking Station to Kaena Point Space Force Station.[1]
References
edit- ^ "Kaena Point station renamed to reflect role in Space Force". June 17, 2021.
External links
edit- Permission form
- Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) documentation, filed under Ka'ena Point, Wai'anae Mountains above Keawaula Bay, Waialua, Honolulu County, HI:
- HAER No. HI-97, "Ka'ena Point Satellite Tracking Station", 10 photos, 21 data pages, 2 photo caption pages
- HAER No. HI-97-A, "Ka'ena Point Satellite Tracking Station, Building 20", 13 photos, 2 photo caption pages
- HAER No. HI-97-B, "Ka'ena Point Satellite Tracking Station, Building 14111", 9 photos, 1 photo caption page
- HAER No. HI-97-C, "Ka'ena Point Satellite Tracking Station, Building 21", 5 photos, 1 photo caption page
- HAER No. HI-97-D, "Ka'ena Point Satellite Tracking Station, Building 11", 8 photos, 6 data pages, 1 photo caption page
- HAER No. HI-97-E, "Ka'ena Point Satellite Tracking Station, Building 35", 14 photos, 8 data pages, 2 photo caption pages
- HAER No. HI-97-F, "Ka'ena Point Satellite Tracking Station, Building 39005", 12 photos, 7 data pages, 2 photo caption pages
- HAER No. HI-97-G, "Ka'ena Point Satellite Tracking Station, Building 39006", 11 photos, 7 data pages, 2 photo caption pages