In 1961, Air Research and Development Command was transformed into Air Force Systems Command, led by former Western Development Division commander General Bernard Schriever.
Due to the rising importance of space, the AFBMO was split on 1 April 1961, with the space-side becoming the Space Systems Division (SSD) and the missile-side becoming the Ballistic Missile Division (BMD).

The Ballistic Missile Division began development on the second generation of ballistic missiles in the early 1960s.
This second generation included the LGM-25C Titan II and LGM-30 Minuteman.
These two missiles replaced the first-generation Atlas and Titan I ballistic missiles, and served as the cornerstone of U.S. nuclear forces.
The Minuteman I was replaced several years later by the improved Minuteman II and III missiles.
The Space Systems Division developed a number of space launch systems based upon the Ballistic Missile Division's ICBMs.
NASA's Project Gemini was launched on modified Titan launch vehicles.

The Space Systems Division continued the current space programs started by the AFBMD and started several advanced programs.
Starting in 1963 an operational infrared missile warning program was started.
Serving as a following on to MIDAS, this program would eventually become the Defense Support Program (DSP).
The SSD also began development of the Defense Meteorological Support Program (DMSP), a weather observation satellite constellation.
DMSP was initially tasked to support the National Reconnaissance Office, however in 1965 became a program office under the Space Systems Division.
The Space Systems Division also started the world's first operational military satellite constellation, developing the Initial Defense Communications Satellite Program (IDCSP) in 1962.

The Space Systems Division was also responsible for the development of anti-satellite systems.
The first anti-satellite program developed by the SSD was Program 437, which used modified Thor missiles tipped with nuclear warheads to destroy orbital targets.
Air Defense Command gained responsibility for the operational employment of the weapons system, and the program was shut down in 1975.
Program 437 was developed into Program 437AP, which replaced the nuclear payload with a photographic system designed to inspect targeted satellites.

In addition to uncrewed military space systems, General Schriever made the Space Systems Division responsible for all crewed military spaceflight.
This put the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) program, a crewed military space station, under its purview.
The SSD also began development of the Titan IIIM, which was designed to be the launch vehicle for the MOL.
The program itself was canceled in 1969.

In 1965 Air Force satellite operations transitioned from the 6594th Test Group to the Space Systems Division's Air Force Satellite Control Facility.
Space launches were also directly conducted by the Space Systems Division.
Launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base were conducted by the 6595th Aerospace Test Wing, while launches from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station were conducted by the 6555th Aerospace Test Wing.
In 1961, Air Research and Development Command was transformed into Air Force Systems Command, led by former Western Development Division commander General Bernard Schriever. Due to the rising importance of space, the AFBMO was split on 1 April 1961, with the space-side becoming the Space Systems Division (SSD) and the missile-side becoming the Ballistic Missile Division (BMD).
The Ballistic Missile Division began development on the second generation of ballistic missiles in the early 1960s. This second generation included the LGM-25C Titan II and LGM-30 Minuteman. These two missiles replaced the first-generation Atlas and Titan I ballistic missiles, and served as the cornerstone of U.S. nuclear forces. The Minuteman I was replaced several years later by the improved Minuteman II and III missiles. The Space Systems Division developed a number of space launch systems based upon the Ballistic Missile Division's ICBMs. NASA's Project Gemini was launched on modified Titan launch vehicles.
The Space Systems Division continued the current space programs started by the AFBMD and started several advanced programs. Starting in 1963 an operational infrared missile warning program was started. Serving as a following on to MIDAS, this program would eventually become the Defense Support Program (DSP). The SSD also began development of the Defense Meteorological Support Program (DMSP), a weather observation satellite constellation. DMSP was initially tasked to support the National Reconnaissance Office, however in 1965 became a program office under the Space Systems Division. The Space Systems Division also started the world's first operational military satellite constellation, developing the Initial Defense Communications Satellite Program (IDCSP) in 1962.
The Space Systems Division was also responsible for the development of anti-satellite systems. The first anti-satellite program developed by the SSD was Program 437, which used modified Thor missiles tipped with nuclear warheads to destroy orbital targets. Air Defense Command gained responsibility for the operational employment of the weapons system, and the program was shut down in 1975. Program 437 was developed into Program 437AP, which replaced the nuclear payload with a photographic system designed to inspect targeted satellites.
In addition to uncrewed military space systems, General Schriever made the Space Systems Division responsible for all crewed military spaceflight. This put the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) program, a crewed military space station, under its purview. The SSD also began development of the Titan IIIM, which was designed to be the launch vehicle for the MOL. The program itself was canceled in 1969.
In 1965 Air Force satellite operations transitioned from the 6594th Test Group to the Space Systems Division's Air Force Satellite Control Facility. Space launches were also directly conducted by the Space Systems Division. Launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base were conducted by the 6595th Aerospace Test Wing, while launches from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station were conducted by the 6555th Aerospace Test Wing.
Space and Missile Systems Center