Headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado,[10] it consists of its mission deltas, and garrison commands.

[6] The Air Force's space program began in 1954 with the establishment of the Western Development Division under Brigadier General Bernard Schriever.

Aerospace Defense Command was responsible for space surveillance and missile warning, Strategic Air Command operated weather satellites, and Air Force Systems Command, primarily responsible for research and development, also had operational responsibilities for operating communication satellites and space launch.

[12] As Air Force space programs began to mature in the 1970s and early 1980s, their disjointed nature presented operational issues.

Aerospace Defense Command argued that its responsibility for the space surveillance system gave it the requisite experience required for shuttle operations.

[12] When Space Command was established, it was headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado and consisted of the Aerospace Defense Center and Cheyenne Mountain Support Group.

By 1984, Strategic Air Command ceased to be responsible for space operations, transferring the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program and Defense Support Program, as well as operational responsibility for the Military Strategic and Tactical Relay and Global Positioning System, both of which were in development.

[12] Air Force Space Command provided significant support to coalition forces during the Gulf War, providing communications and navigation through the Defense Satellite Communications System and Global Positioning System.

In 1993, Air Force Space Command was assigned responsibility for intercontinental ballistic missiles.

[17] In July 2020, United States Space Force's wings and operations groups were renamed deltas and it assumed responsibility for space operations units previously part of Air Combat Command and Air Education and Training Command, including the 544th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group.

It also organized oversight of Space Deltas 2 to 9 under the deputy commanding general (operations) by creating five mission area teams (MAT): intelligence, battle management C3, componency, combat power, and information mobility.

Platinum represents the strength of Guardians and Airmen, the rarity of its calling, and the nobility of its mission.

The lines of latitude and longitude emphasize the global nature of Air Force space operations.

The centrally superimposed deltoid symbolizes both the Air Force upward thrust into space and the launch vehicles needed to place all satellites in orbit.

The distinctive dark blue background shading, small globe, and stars symbolize the space environment.

[23] Air Force Space Command's motto, "Guardians of the High Frontier," was developed from the submissions of three individuals at Space Command and the United States Air Force Academy before being announced on 17 February 1983.