Space Delta 18 is the US Space Force (USSF) unit which serves as the National Space Intelligence Center. Headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, it has been active since its establishment in June 2022. It is responsible for performing both national and military space missions. It serves as the Space Force’s counterpart to the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC).
1. Space Delta 18 Symbolism and History
1.1 Symbolism
Space Delta 18’s emblem and its main symbol have several design elements incorporating elements from the space and intelligence communities and its National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) heritage.
- Platinum – Platinum is the colour of the Space Operations Command. It’s meant to embody the strength of its uniformed and civilian ‘Guardians,’ as well as the rarity of its mission and calling. [Source]
- Sphinx – The Sphinx, an ancient Egyptian symbol representing wisdom, knowledge, and the challenges that the National Space Intelligence Center is tasked to overcome, has been invoked out of pride in an organization that traces its roots to the earliest days of intelligence. [Source]
- North Star – The north star’s 8 points symbolise the points on the compass. It also displays how the intelligence professionals within Space Delta 18 will “analyse and assess to guide acquisitions, policymakers and warfighters”. [Source]
1.2 History
Space Delta 18 has a short history because of its relative infancy. The unit’s formal induction took place on 24 June 2022. Chief of Space Operations John W. Raymond ordered the establishment of the NSIC, orchestrating the transfer of the NASIC’s Space Analysis Squadron and Counter-Space Analysis Squadron from the Space and Missile Analysis Group to the Space Force. [Source, source]
US Air Force Lieutenant General Leah Lauderback (S2), the Space Force director of intelligence, spearheaded the planning effort. She emphasised the requirement of congressional authorization to establish a field operating agency that reported directly to the S2. [Source]
While awaiting funding from Congress, the Space Force took action by creating the Space Force Intelligence Activity (SFIA) on 24 September 2021 as an interim unit. Operating under NASIC until the establishment of NSIC, on June 24, 2022, the NSIC was activated as Space Delta 18, commemorating the Space Force’s status as the 18th member of the US intelligence community. [Source, source, source]
2. Organisation of Space Delta 18
2.1 Place within the Space Force
Space Delta 18 serves as the Space Forces intelligence capability unit. Several squadrons were transferred from NASIC’s Space and Missiles Analysis Group to Space Delta 18. [Source]
2.1.1 Space Delta 18 unit structure
Two squadrons constitute Space Delta 18:
- 1st Space Analysis Squadron (1 SAS) – 1 SAS is responsible for the production and deliverance of foundational intelligence on foreign space capabilities. The Space Analysis Squadron was initially activated on April 15, 2008, as part of the Space and Missiles Analysis Group within the Air Force, underwent a re-designation as 1 SAS and was subsequently transferred to the Space Force on June 24, 2022. [Source, source]
- 2nd Space Analysis Squadron (2 SAS) – 2 SAS is responsible for the production and deliverance of foundational intelligence on foreign threats to US space operations. Originally activated as the Space Analysis Squadron of the Space and Missiles Analysis Group on 15 April 2008 in the Air Force. On June 24, 2022, it underwent re-designation as 2 SAS and was integrated into the Space Force as a component of Space Delta 18. [Source, source]
2.2 Financing
Because the Space Force is the smallest branch of the military, it has consequently the smallest budget. In FY2025 (Financial year) it had a budget request of $29.4 billion. The overall Air Force budget request being $185.9 billion. [Source]
2.2.1 CASR
The Space Force devised a plan to establish a commercial space reserve known as the CASR. This action aimed to ensure the US military’s access to commercial satellites during conflicts. The Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve (CASR) is similar in terms to older programs of using merchant fleets during wartime. This means that the Space Force will establish agreements with companies to ensure that the Space Force has access to satellites and satellite communication. This implies prioritizing commercially available services for the US government during national security emergencies. [Source]
2.3 Key Figures of Space Delta 18
Space Delta 18’s small size means that it only has one notable key figure:
- Colonel Marqus D. Randall – Colonel Marqus took office on 24 June 2022 and serves as Space Delta 18s commander. He served in several prior roles. These were as the Chief of the Intelligence Surveillance, Reconnaissance Resources and Requirements Division at the US Space Force. He oversaw the space ISR capabilities and integration of these services into the intelligence framework. Additionally, he worked for the Office of the Undersecretary of Defence for Intelligence and Security and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, respectively, as the HQ Staff Manager for Military and National Intelligence Programmes. [Source]
2.4 Recruitment
Details for the specific recruitment process into Spcae Delta 18 are unavailable. However, details about the Space Forces recruitment process are available.
2.4.1 Basic Qualifications for Space Force
To enlist in the US Space Force you have to meet the following criteria:
- 17-42 years of age
- Be a US citizen
- Have a high school diploma or GED with 15 college credits
2.4.2 Space Force Recruitment Process
To join the US Space Force you have to successfully complete the following:
- Aptitude testing – You have to take and pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). This covers four critical areas such as arithmetic thinking, word knowledge, mathematical understanding, and paragraph comprehension. [Source]
- Application – Once a recruit completes the ASVAB they are then eligible to apply and complete the application through a local recruitment office. [Source]
- Physical and mental screening – The Space Force, the Department of Defense, and federal law each set standards for moral and physical fitness that recruits must meet. Throughout the process, a job counsellor assists each recruit, guiding them through potential career paths based on their qualifications and test results. [Source]
- Basic Military Training (BMT) preparation – Recruits who meet the prerequisites enter the Delayed Entry Program (DEP), awaiting selection for enrollment in Basic Military Training. [Source]
3. Equipment of Space Delta 18
Because of the classified nature of much of Space Delta 18’s operations, much of its equipment is unknown. However, there is a notable radar system which is operated by the US Space Force, which is known and is likely operated by the unit.
- Eglin AFB Site C-6 – Site c-6 is a US Space Force radar station which houses the AN/FPS-85 phased array radar which was originally designed and built during the 1960s to detect and track orbital nuclear missiles. Although other radar systems share space tracking duties the AN/FPS-85 is the primary surveillance radar in the US Space Surveillance Network due to its capabilities. [Source]
4. Core Purpose
Space Delta 18’s core purpose is the production of analysis of intelligence which is then used to create intelligence reports on both foreign space capabilities and foreign threats to US space operations. It carries this out through its two squadrons, the 1st Space Analysis Squadron (1 SAS) and the 2nd Space Analysis Squadron (2 SAS).
4.1 Personnel size of Space Delta 18
Due to the recent establishment of Space Delta 18, it only has a small personnel count. On 27 April 2021 Maj. Gen. Leah Lauderback stated that by January 2022 she expected Space Delta 18 and the NSIC to employ around 350 people. She stated that
“This is likely to grow as NSIC moves toward FOC [full operating capability] in the future”.
[Source]
5. Conclusion
Space Delta 18 is the US Space Forces space intelligence capable unit and provides critical intelligence on foreign space-borne threats and foreign space capabilities. Though presently small in size, it is anticipated to expand and assume a more pivotal role in the near future as the space domain becomes increasingly crucial in the future of warfare. [Source]
