Launch and Test Range System (LTRS) Modernization

Abstract

The Spacelift Range System (SLRS), also known as the Launch and Test Range System (LTRS), provides public safety and assured access to space. LTRS operates at the Eastern Range (ER) at Patrick SFB/Cape Canaveral SFS, FL and the Western Range (WR) at Vandenberg SFB, CA. LTRS provides tracking, telemetry, communications, flight safety, and other capabilities to support launch of national security space (NSS), civil and commercial space payloads, Intercontinental and Sea Launched ballistic missile and missile defense evaluations, and aeronautical and guided weapon tests. LTRS ensures ability to meet the national launch requirement, safely supports the launch cadence of ER/WR launch requirement holders and provides assured access to space for the nation. The ER and WR are designated as Department of Defense Major Range and Test Facility Bases (MRTFB). LTRS is comprised of 12 subsystems that together provide this capability to the ranges. The Range Safety, Command Destruct, and Positive Control subsystems provide the capability to destroy an errant rocket, if necessary to protect public safety. These subsystems rely on the Telemetry, Radar, and Optics subsystems to provide tracking data. The Weather and Surveillance subsystems allow range operators and customers to determine if conditions are safe for launch. The Communications, Data Handling, and Timing & Sequencing subsystems ensure critical data is expeditiously routed from remote sensors (e.g., radars, optics) to range operators and customers. Finally, the Planning and Scheduling subsystem ensures all assets are available when needed for a launch or test operation. The Space Force requires RDT&E funds to conduct LTRS Digital Transformation studies and prototype experimentation activities to meet evolving technological requirements. Funds will provide engineering analyses for insertion of promising technology, provide opportunity to test Cloud infrastructure and software development strategies to drive state-of-the-art applications into LTRS development, validate pathfinder concepts to meet an accelerating launch capacity and cadence, improve system cyber survivability and resilience, and continue to evaluate promising technology beyond current industry standards. Digital Transformation envisions a future driving configuration and reconfiguration automation and system autonomy into LTRS operations for seamless launch and return operations and accelerate capability to Range users through adoption of modern systems, infrastructure, platforms and processes. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver LTRS weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 1206392SF and 1206398SF. Space acquisition must respond with speed and agility to pacing and emerging adversary threats. Space Systems Command (SSC) has transformed the organization and implementation of space acquisition to an enterprise approach, to increase innovation and resiliency, leveraging international, commercial, and mission partnerships, and managing program/project priorities according to an integrated unclassified/classified enterprise space architecture. Expanding the appropriate acquisition authorities and contract mechanisms to deliver capability sooner, SSC will strategically execute experimentation, prototyping, risk reduction, and other efforts to develop new or repurpose existing capabilities. 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.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2024
• Source ID: 674137_1203182SF_7_3620F_PB_2024

Tags

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering.

Technology Areas

• Cyber
• Space