United States Space Force careers
1C6X1
engineering
United States Space Force

Space Systems Operations

Operate space systems including satellites and missile warning radars.

Difficulty · moderateFitness · moderate AI compatibility 94
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Job Overview

1C6X1 Guardians fly satellites and detect missile launches.

Space Systems Operators command satellites, run missile warning and space domain awareness, and defend against orbital threats.

History & Deep Dive

AI-assisted

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Daily Responsibilities

  • Satellite command
  • Missile warning ops
  • Space domain awareness
  • Anomaly response
  • Crew certification
Work schedule
Shift-based crew ops
Environment
Space operations centers
Supports
Combatant commanders and joint force

Training Pipeline

  1. 1
    BMT
    7.5 weeks
  2. 2
    Undergraduate Space Training
    Vandenberg SFB, CA · ~4 months

ASVAB & Qualification Requirements

ASVAB line-score minimums
  • E54
  • G64
Security clearance
Top Secret
Physical requirements
Standard fitness.
Required skills
Systems thinkingComposureTechnical aptitude
AI Concept Gallery
AI-generated concept illustrations · not official photos
Portrait · AI illustration
Training · AI illustration
Workplace · AI illustration
Equipment · AI illustration
Operational · AI illustration

Video Library

Official recruiting video for Space Systems Operations coming soon.

Career Progression

E-1→
E-4→
E-5→
E-6→
E-7

Crew commander, senior enlisted leader.

Assignments & Special Schools

Duty stations
  • Vandenberg SFB, CA
  • Buckley SFB, CO
  • Schriever SFB, CO
  • Cape Canaveral SFS, FL
Special schools
Space Weapons InstructorAdvanced Space Operations

Deployment: Almost entirely CONUS.

Advantages

  • Cutting-edge domain
  • Family-stable assignments
  • Strong commercial pipeline

Disadvantages

  • Shift work
  • Compartmented tasks

Civilian Career Equivalents

Satellite Operator (commercial)
Aerospace Systems Engineer
Career Match Scores
Physical Demand40
Mental Demand92
Leadership72
Technical Level95
Travel30
Deployment Potential25
Civilian Transferability90
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Context: 1C6X1 Space Systems Operations
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