Human Space Flight Support (DDMS)

The 45 OG Human Space Flight Support office coordinates DOD contingency support to our nation's manned space flight programs. Chartered in 1959 by the Secretary of Defense, the DoD Mercury Support Office and later the DoD Manned Space Flight Support Office (DDMS) was formed with the express purpose of providing DOD support to the initial manned space flight effort ... putting people into space and returning them safely to Earth. Since those early days, the support office has continued to be the focal point for all DOD contingency support to Project Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Apollo/Soyuz Test Project and Space Shuttle. This support includes astronaut and space vehicle recovery, worldwide communications, logistics and medical support.

The commander of U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) is the DoD Manager for Manned Space Flight Support Operations. In 2007, the DDMS staff located at Patrick were moved under the 45th Operations Group and the office was redesignated the Human Space Flight Support (HSFS) office. The newly named HSFS office remains the DoD Manager’s primary staff for coordination of support to NASA human space flight. Additionally, there is a HSFS liaison officer at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.

The HSFS office has the responsibility for coordinating astronaut rescue and recovery, contingency landing site support, payload security, medical support, coordination of airlift/sealift for contingency operations, as well as other support services required in the event of a shuttle emergency. To carry out these responsibilities, DDMS receives and validates NASA requests for DOD support. The office then works with USSTRATCOM to task combatant commands for supporting forces, and assists JFCC Space in monitoring the status of those forces supporting Space Shuttle missions. The HSFS office also provides liaison officers to both NORTHCOM and EUCOM during launch operations.

In the Kennedy Space Center area, U.S. Air Force air-refuelable H-60 helicopters, HC-130 tanker aircraft, Pararescue and medical personnel are deployed to support launch contingencies and astronaut recovery. Additionally, the Marine Corps provides a KC-130 tanker for helicopter air refueling. To support the potential for a Transoceanic Abort Landing (TAL), NASA has selected three TAL sites in Spain and France. These sites are Moron and Zaragoza Air Bases in Spain; and Istres AB (FAF) in France. All three of these TAL sites are activated for each shuttle launch. EUCOM supports these TAL sites with Operational Support Airlift aircraft for on-scene weather reconnaissance and in-flight checks of Space Shuttle unique landing aids, C-130 aircraft with pararescue and medical support personnel, and DOD fire/crash/rescue equipment / personnel.

The HSFS office activates the Support Operations Center (SOC) at Patrick starting the day prior to a Space Shuttle launch and continues to operate through landing. The SOC maintains 24-hour contact with NASA and the Joint Space Operations Center (JSpOC) at Vandenberg AFB. The SOC is the only DOD facility that maintains a 24/7 watch from Space Shuttle launch to landing. The center, for example, played a key role in providing support to NASA in response to the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003. While a shuttle is on orbit, designated DOD sites worldwide are ready to support a shuttle contingency landing. As the forward operating element of and in coordination with the JSpOC, the SOC receives status from these locations during mission support periods. On landing day, the SOC monitors the DOD fire/crash/rescue support and medevac helicopters at Kennedy Space Center, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., and Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.

After landing at locations other than Kennedy Space Center, the shuttle is ferried back to Florida on a modified Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft. DDMS coordinates a U.S. Air Force KC-135 / C-17 "Pathfinder" aircraft to transport NASA personnel and equipment supporting ferry flight operations. The office personnel fly with the NASA team on these ferry flights, providing specialized support en route at DOD installation stops. Due to the unique weather sensitivities of ferry flights, a dedicated weather support team is also assembled to monitor en route weather. This includes a DOD meteorologist to monitor weather conditions from the Cape Canaveral Forecast Facility in Florida, as well as a team of DOD meteorologists that travel with the ferry flight team, providing direct en route weather support.

(Current as of Jan 2007)