Satellite Control Network

Abstract

The Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN) mission is to command and control space systems and to distribute space system information in support of DoD, Intelligence Community (IC), and Civil operational and RDT&E missions, and other designated users. The AFSCN is a fielded, globally-distributed infrastructure of control centers, Remote Tracking Stations (RTSs), and communications links that provides unique capability for designated users to deploy and operate their satellites. AFSCN provides the highly reliable command and control, communications, and range systems required to support the nation's surveillance, navigation, communications, warning, and weather satellite operations. Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) performs operations, maintenance, modernization, and sustainment of the system to provide operational capabilities validated by a US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) Initial Capabilities Document and a Headquarters USAF-approved Operational Requirements Document (ORD). This program element funds the development and acquisition of AFSCN Improvement and Modernization (I&M), an ongoing program of replacements and upgrades which will meet validated USSTRATCOM and AFSPC operational requirements to replace non-standard, unsupportable equipment with more reliable, maintainable, interoperable, and standardized hardware and software. This new equipment is intended to enable AFSPC satellite operations to be performed with reduced hardware/software maintenance costs. The principal efforts within this program are focused on Range Upgrades, Network Operations Upgrades, and associated studies. RANGE UPGRADES: This effort will upgrade the current RTSs. Several integrated efforts are grouped into the RTS Block Change (RBC) effort, which will standardize, automate and make interoperable the remote tracking stations through the replacement of outdated government-unique equipment with standardized equipment and technology in order to reduce failures, correct operational deficiencies, and reduce operating and sustainment costs. Additionally, interoperability efforts to address standards and protocols and external user connectivity are included in this segment. FY12 funds provide system engineering, integration and test support for the RBC efforts to include S-band high power amplifier development. NETWORK OPERATIONS UPGRADES: These critical upgrades improve AFSCN resource management capabilities. FY12 funds provide continued development of the Electronic Scheduling and Dissemination (ESD) 3.0 upgrade. This effort is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development, because it supports a fielded system.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2012
• Source ID: 0305110F_7_3600_PB_2012
• Change Summary Explanation: FY10: decreased -$1.215M for Small Business Innovative Research FY12: decreased -$1.546M The program funding includes overhead reduction efficiencies that are not intended to impact program content. The efficiencies reductions total $0.681M in FY12. The FY12 program funding includes reductions for higher AF priorities totaling $0.865M.
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Acquisition
• Air Force
• Amplifiers
• Artificial Satellites
• Command And Control
• Contracts
• Diego Garcia
• Engineering
• Maintenance
• Maintenance Costs
• Power Amplifiers
• Resource Management
• Space Systems
• Standards
• Systems Engineering
• Tracking Stations
• United States Strategic Command

Fields of Study

• Computer science

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering.
• Civilian Systems Systems Program Capability Development and Upgrade Support Activity Expense and Pay Management.

Technology Areas

• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
• Microelectronics
• Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems
• Space
• Space - Satellites