Satellite Communications Operating Together for National Defense
Abstract
Walking up to the wideband satellite communications station at Fort George G. Meade, MD, one immediately notices the signs announcing the presence of two separate units, Bravo Company, 1st Satellite Control Battalion and Bravo Company, 302nd Signal Battalion. These signs give an immediate clue to the type of missions performed at the satellite station on top of the hill: satellite control and satellite communications. Despite the similar outward appearance of large buildings and several huge antennae of these two companies, the missions being executed within their respective areas are separate and distinct. The six co-located wideband satellite communication Earth Terminals operate in symbiotic relationship with the Wideband Satellite Operations Centers located around the world. They perform separate missions and answer to a different chain of command. The relationship between the Wideband Satellite Operations Centers and the co-located Earth Terminals is defined in a Defense Information System Agency circular as, "Operations and Control of the Defense Satellite Communications System." This document is known as the bible for satellite controllers because it outlines specific roles and responsibilities for each area. The Defense Satellite Communications System, or DSCS is a major subsystem in the global information grid, or GIG, providing highthroughput, long-haul communications to Department of Defense and other special governmental users. It provides a portal into the grid for services and government users around the world through its widespread collection of satellite Earth Terminals and geosynchronous satellite constellation. There are three segments of the DSCS system: Space, ground and control. These segments interact to provide access to the many products available on the GIG to critical users, such as SIPRNET, NIPRNET, video teleconferencing, Defense Red Switch Network and many other information services.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA523251
Entities
People
- Anthony Kellar
- Garth R. Hahn
- Steven Stubblefield
Organizations
- United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command