text: Army Space Capabilities
  sustain systems in the space environment. Payload operations are critical to the communications, command
  and control, movement, maneuver, protection, and sustainment of space assets.
  3-69. Soldiers at Army satellite operation centers have responsibility to monitor, sustain, and conduct
  payload operations of DODs wideband and narrowband satellite systems. Army wideband satellite operations
  maintains a backup control capability through its WSOCs for the SSA and network common user equipment
  for some constellations.
  3-70. Globally dispersed operations centers such as the WSOCs and strategic Earth terminal sites, provide
  vital links between the satellite and controllers to execute spacecraft and payload operations. Satellite
  operations contribute to unified land operations through payload operations that ensure secure SATCOM is
  available for use when needed. Large scale combat operations are possible because of the enhanced
  communications enabled by transmission control and active payload management.
  3-71. Satellite operations are characterized as spacecraft and payload operations. Payload operations
  include monitoring and commanding of the satellite payload to collect data or provide capability in the OE.
  As a critical and essential link between the satellite operator and the operational force, satellite operations
  include protection mechanisms to ensure access to space assets. Satellite operations provide significant
  contributions to SSA.
  SATELLITE CONTROL BATTALION
  3-72. A Satellite Control Battalion operates the payloads on satellites in military wideband constellations.
  The battalion operates the five WSOCs to manage SATCOM networks, conduct transmissions, controls
  satellite payloads, and supports electromagnetic interference resolution on military wideband constellations.
  Signal Soldiers with specialized satellite control training perform these missions. These operations centers
  enable SATCOM in support of strategic level communications and planning.
  3-73. The WSOCs support Army operations through—
  * The use, control, and monitoring of military wideband satellites.
  * Established satellite links.
  * Monitoring and maintaining the satellite link quality.
  * Satellite link power management.
  * SATCOM Earth terminal monitoring.
  * Terminal positive control and subnetwork control.
  * Transmission control and communications payload control of military wideband satellites.
  * Payload command and telemetry.
  * Support to electromagnetic interference resolution.
  WIDEBAND SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS OPERATIONS CENTER
  3-74. WSOCs provide satellite payload and transmission control for DOD communications satellites
  providing wideband SATCOM for military forces. Strategic wideband SATCOM is used to carry high
  volumes of communications through large terminals located around the world. The primary means for
  reachback communications from in-theater headquarters to those in continental U.S. is via military wideband
  SATCOM.
  3-75. The WSOCs are the focal point for:
  * Conducting payload command and telemetry functions;
  * Transmissions monitoring functions; and
  * Strategic and tactical terminal control functions for military wideband satellites.
  3-76. WSOC responsibilities include:
  * Controlling terminal access;
  * Maintaining operational databases;
  * Responding to transmission anomalies and alarms;