Earn the Space Badge at the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC), Colorado Springs, CO. Two weeks of space domain mastery — from orbital mechanics to tactical space integration.
Phase 1 establishes the foundational knowledge of the space domain. Students learn orbital mechanics — Kepler's Laws, orbital elements, and how satellites maintain their orbits. Understanding these principles is essential for everything that follows.
Space domain awareness covers the ability to detect, track, and identify objects in space. Students learn the space surveillance network, conjunction assessments, and the importance of maintaining a clear picture of the space environment.
Satellite systems architecture, GPS/PNT operations, and SATCOM fundamentals round out the week. The space threat environment — including adversary anti-satellite capabilities, electronic warfare, and cyber threats to space systems — is covered extensively.
Phase 2 shifts from theory to tactical application. Students learn how to integrate space capabilities into ground operations at every echelon — from battalion to theater level. The focus is on making space relevant to the warfighter.
Space support team (STT) operations teach students how these small teams deploy with tactical units to provide direct space support. Theater space coordination and the role of space in the military decision-making process (MDMP) are covered in depth.
The week culminates in a capstone exercise that evaluates students' ability to apply all space concepts in a realistic operational scenario. This is where theory meets practice and the badge is earned.
Winter in Colorado Springs is cold but manageable. Temperatures range from 15–45°F with dry conditions and frequent clear skies. Snow is possible but rarely extreme. The SCBC is a classroom-based course, so weather is secondary — but the clear skies make for excellent space observation conditions.
Spring weather in the Springs is variable. March can still bring significant snowstorms, but by May conditions are warming nicely. The dry air persists year-round. Variable weather means packing layers is always smart — but you'll spend most of your time in the classroom.
Summer is the most comfortable season for SCBC. Warm but not oppressive days with cool mountain nights make for pleasant TDY conditions. Afternoon thunderstorms are common but brief. Evenings are perfect for exploring Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, and the surrounding area.
Fall in Colorado Springs is spectacular. Crisp, clear air with stunning views of Pikes Peak and the Front Range. Temperatures cool steadily through the season, with first snow typically arriving in October. The clear skies continue to make this an ideal location for space observation and study.
The Space Cadre Basic Course runs approximately 4 classes per fiscal year. Classes are conducted at USASMDC, Colorado Springs, CO. Source: USASMDC / TRADOC.
| Class | Report Date | Graduation | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCBC 01-26 | 13 Jan 2026 | 23 Jan 2026 | Winter |
| SCBC 02-26 | 07 Apr 2026 | 17 Apr 2026 | Spring |
| SCBC 03-26 | 14 Jul 2026 | 24 Jul 2026 | Summer |
| SCBC 04-26 | 06 Oct 2026 | 16 Oct 2026 | Fall |
Written exams, applied scenario evaluations, and the capstone exercise separate space professionals from tourists. Know your orbital mechanics.
Every failure at SCBC has a type. We built a fix for each one.
Kepler's Laws, orbital elements, and satellite maneuvers are the foundation of everything in space operations. If you can't visualize an orbit, you'll be lost from day one.
Satellite communications underpin almost every tactical operation. Understanding link budgets, frequency bands, and MILSATCOM architecture is non-negotiable.
Space is useless if you can't translate capabilities into tactical effects. The capstone exercise will expose every gap in your integration skills.
GPS is more than a blue dot on a screen. Understanding signal structure, denial environments, and alternative PNT is critical for any space professional.
Adversary ASAT capabilities, jamming, spoofing, and cyber threats to space systems are growing. You need to understand the threat to protect the domain.
Writing Annex N and integrating space into the military decision-making process is where space professionals earn their keep. Don't show up unprepared.
Key Takeaway: The SCBC is an academic course — the challenge is intellectual, not physical. Orbital mechanics and SATCOM fundamentals trip up the most students. Arrive with a solid STEM foundation, review basic physics, and study JP 3-14 (Space Operations) before class. The capstone exercise requires integrating everything you've learned into a realistic scenario.
The Space Professional's Oath
I am a Space Professional. I dedicate myself to the mastery of the space domain — understanding its physics, its systems, and its critical role in enabling the joint force. I will support the warfighter from orbit to foxhole, translating space capabilities into decisive tactical effects.
I will ensure dominance of the ultimate high ground. I will protect our assets in the space domain, deny adversary use of space, and guarantee the positioning, navigation, timing, communications, and intelligence that our forces depend upon. The high ground has never been higher — and I will own it.
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