Satellite Control Network

Abstract

The Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN) is a satellite ground terminal network comprised of two communication nodes and 15 antenna systems. The antennas are distributed around the globe at seven locations to ensure global coverage for 170 satellites in various orbits. The AFSCN conducts an average of 450 satellite contacts per day supporting Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT); Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR); Missile Warning; Communications; Weather; Launch Vehicle Support; Research and Development (R&D) in support of Department of Defense (DoD), Intelligence Community (IC), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) operations. While most of the 450 satellite contacts/day are routine command and control activities, the AFSCN is also used for satellite emergencies (e.g. tumbling satellite) because its high power antennas are often the only earthbound assets that can contact a non-responsive satellite to re-establish command & control. In FY14 alone, the AFSCN supported 17 space vehicle emergencies resulting in the preservation of $6B worth of satellites. In addition to routine and emergency satellite operations C2, the AFSCN provides support to launch vehicle and early orbit operations, ensuring worldwide antennas receive telemetry as the rocket travels through the atmosphere and transmit commands to a newly orbiting satellite to initiate early orbit checkout. Finally, the AFSCN provides Factory Compatibility Testing (FCT) to ensure satellites and rockets can communicate via the AFSCN before the satellite is launched. These funds are used to develop next-generation tools to improve the AFSCN and ensure the capability is available to support DoD, Intelligence, and civil users. MISSION PLANNING UPGRADE: The Air Force will complete the Electronic Scheduling and Dissemination (ESD) 3.0 program, modernizing worldwide antenna system scheduling to support all 170 satellites. Satellite operators will be able to request contact time with their satellites via the shared AFSCN antennas and ESD 3.0 will deconflict overlapping requests, create a schedule, and publish real-time to all users. FY16 funds support ESD follow-on capability along with deferred network cyber security requirements. SATELLITE ANOMALY RECOVERY AND SUPPORT UPGRADE: The Air Force will complete development testing of the enhanced High Power Amplifier (EHPA) first article. The AFSCN is in jeopardy of losing the emergency high power satellite contact capability due to obsolete parts used in the legacy AFSCN system. The EHPA program will develop a new high power amplifier that resolves the obsolescence issue well into the 2020's. FY16 funds support the transition and operational turn-over of the first EHPA. UNIFIED S-BAND UPGRADE: The Air Force is adjusting the AFSCN for spectrum-sharing with industry and demonstrating the ability to migrate away from the current L-Band uplink / S-Band downlink spectrum to the Unified S-Band (USB) spectrum. RDT&E funds support a first article integration of USB into the AFSCN baseline to begin supporting factory compatibility testing. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because this budget activity includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year. The FY2016 funding request was reduced by $6.206 million to account for the availability of prior execution balances.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2016
• Source ID: 673276_0305110F_7_3600_PB_2016

Tags

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering.

Technology Areas

• Cyber
• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
• Microelectronics
• Space
• Space - Satellites