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Kaena Point Space Force Station

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Coordinates: 21°33′41.0″N 158°14′21.2″W / 21.561389°N 158.239222°W / 21.561389; -158.239222
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Kaena Point Space Force Station
Kaena Point, Oahu, Hawaii in the United States of America
Antennae at Ka'ena Point
Antennae at Ka'ena Point
Shield of the Space Base Delta 1
Ka'ena Point is located in Hawaii
Ka'ena Point
Ka'ena Point
Location in Hawaii
Coordinates21°33′41.0″N 158°14′21.2″W / 21.561389°N 158.239222°W / 21.561389; -158.239222
TypeSatellite tracking station
Area153 acres (62 ha)
Site information
OwnerDepartment of Defense
OperatorUnited States Space Force
Controlled bySpace Operations Command (SPOC)
Open to
the public		Partially, to access neighboring trails and campsites
ConditionOperational
Site history
Built1959 (1959)
In use1959 – 2019 (US Air Force)
2019 – present (US Space Force)
Garrison information
Occupants21st Space Operations Squadron (Detachment 3)

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.

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.

Kaena Point Satellite Tracking Station emblem. By Earl Kokobun, 1983

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

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  1. ^ "Kaena Point station renamed to reflect role in Space Force". June 17, 2021.
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