Transformational Satellite Communications System
Encyclopedia
The Transformational Satellite Communications System (TSAT) program was a United States Department of Defense
(DOD) program sponsored by the U.S. Air Force
for a secure, high-capacity global communications network serving the Department of Defense
, NASA
and the U.S. Intelligence Community
(IC). It was intended as an enabler of net-centric
warfare that would facilitate defense and intelligence professionals making rapid decisions based on integrated, comprehensive information. In 2003, the estimated project costs for the period up to 2015 were estimated to US$ 12 billion (inflation adjusted US$ billion in ). In October 2008, the DoD announced that it was postponing making a decision on choosing a contractor to build the system until 2010. In April 2009 Secretary of Defence Robert M. Gates asked that the project be canceled in its entirety.
(DoD) with high data rate Military Satellite Communications (MILSATCOM) and
Internet-like services as defined in the Transformational Communications Architecture (TCA). TSAT would have supported global net-centric operations. As the
spaceborne element of the Global Information Grid
(GIG), TSAT would extend the GIG to users without terrestrial connections providing improved connectivity and data
transfer capability, vastly improving satellite communications for the warfighter. TSAT's Internet Protocol
(IP) routing would connect thousands of users through
networks rather than limited point-to-point connections. TSAT would have enabled high data rate connections to Space and Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance,
and Reconnaissance (SISR, AISR) platforms.
constellation (a sixth satellite was planned as a spare to ensure mission availability), TSAT satellite operations centers
(TSOC) for on-orbit control, TSAT Mission Operations Systems (TMOS) to provide network management, and ground gateways. The TMOS single contract was
awarded in January 2006.
TSAT planned radio frequency (RF
) and laser communications links to meet defense and intelligence community requirements for high data rate, protected
communications. The space segment aimed to make use of key technology advancements that have proven mature by independent testing of integrated subsystem brassboard
s to achieve a transformational leap in SATCOM capabilities. These technologies include but are not limited to: single and multi-access laser communications
(to include wide field-of-view technology), Internet protocol based packet switching
, bulk and packet encryption/decryption, battle command-on-the-move antennas,
dynamic bandwidth and resource allocation techniques, and protected bandwidth efficient modulation.
In June 2003, the acquisition strategy for TSAT was approved, as stated in the FY05 PB justification.
On 20 January 2004, the TSAT program entered Phase B, Risk Reduction and Design Development. Phase B space segment contracts (Cost Plus, Fixed Fee) were awarded to Lockheed Martin
and Boeing
in late Jan 04. A $300M FY05 Congressional reduction resulted in a first launch delay from FY12 to FY13. In response to the Congressional reduction, the Air Force adjusted the FY06/07 budget.
On January 27, 2006 TSAT Mission Operations System (TMOS) segment development contract, worth US$2+ Billion was awarded to Lockheed Martin.
In July 2007, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman
announced a plan to develop an IPv6
-based networking system with Juniper Networks
for the TSAT project. Boeing
also engaged in development related to the program.
The results of the competition to select the final space segment development contractor were originally to be announced in October 2007. However, the Air Force deferred this announcement until second-quarter 2008.
FY07 aimed to verify with subsystem hardware testing in a space-like environment, that technologies are mature. If a technology fails to mature, less-capable technology off-ramps exist and can be used to preserve schedule. Even the technology off-ramps will significantly enhance warfighter capabilities, and the advanced technology can be 'spiraled' into a later spacecraft. First launch was scheduled for 2QFY13.
In October 2008, the DoD announced that it was deferring until 2010 a decision on choosing a contractor to build the system. The DoD did not announce whether it would continue to fund further development of the system in the interim.
In December 2008, the US Air Force released a new request for proposal (RFP) to Lockheed Martin and Boeing. The new proposal calls for five satellites and ground stations providing message and data routing for US Army units, including vehicles in the new Future Combat Systems, with the launch of the first satellite projected for 2019. The RFP requests that the new system use the specifications developed under the less-costly, designed backup system.
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
(DOD) program sponsored by the U.S. Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
for a secure, high-capacity global communications network serving the Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
, NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
and the U.S. Intelligence Community
Intelligence community
Intelligence community may refer to* Bangladeshi intelligence community* Croatian intelligence community * Israeli intelligence community* Italian intelligence community, see SISMI...
(IC). It was intended as an enabler of net-centric
Net-centric
Net-centric: : Participating as a part of a continuously-evolving, complex community of people, devices, information and services interconnected by a communications network to achieve optimal benefit of resources and better synchronization of events and their consequences.In military connotation...
warfare that would facilitate defense and intelligence professionals making rapid decisions based on integrated, comprehensive information. In 2003, the estimated project costs for the period up to 2015 were estimated to US$ 12 billion (inflation adjusted US$ billion in ). In October 2008, the DoD announced that it was postponing making a decision on choosing a contractor to build the system until 2010. In April 2009 Secretary of Defence Robert M. Gates asked that the project be canceled in its entirety.
Scope
The Transformational Satellite Communications System (TSAT) aimed to provide the Department of DefenseUnited States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
(DoD) with high data rate Military Satellite Communications (MILSATCOM) and
Internet-like services as defined in the Transformational Communications Architecture (TCA). TSAT would have supported global net-centric operations. As the
spaceborne element of the Global Information Grid
Global Information Grid
The Global Information Grid is an all-encompassing communications project of the United States Department of Defense.It is defined as a "globally interconnected, end-to-end set of information capabilities for collecting, processing, storing, disseminating, and managing information on demand to...
(GIG), TSAT would extend the GIG to users without terrestrial connections providing improved connectivity and data
transfer capability, vastly improving satellite communications for the warfighter. TSAT's Internet Protocol
Internet Protocol
The Internet Protocol is the principal communications protocol used for relaying datagrams across an internetwork using the Internet Protocol Suite...
(IP) routing would connect thousands of users through
networks rather than limited point-to-point connections. TSAT would have enabled high data rate connections to Space and Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance,
and Reconnaissance (SISR, AISR) platforms.
Capabilities and Services
The TSAT program was planned as a five satelliteSatellite
In the context of spaceflight, a satellite is an object which has been placed into orbit by human endeavour. Such objects are sometimes called artificial satellites to distinguish them from natural satellites such as the Moon....
constellation (a sixth satellite was planned as a spare to ensure mission availability), TSAT satellite operations centers
(TSOC) for on-orbit control, TSAT Mission Operations Systems (TMOS) to provide network management, and ground gateways. The TMOS single contract was
awarded in January 2006.
TSAT planned radio frequency (RF
Radio frequency
Radio frequency is a rate of oscillation in the range of about 3 kHz to 300 GHz, which corresponds to the frequency of radio waves, and the alternating currents which carry radio signals...
) and laser communications links to meet defense and intelligence community requirements for high data rate, protected
communications. The space segment aimed to make use of key technology advancements that have proven mature by independent testing of integrated subsystem brassboard
Brassboard
A brassboard or brass board is an experimental or demonstration test model, intended for field testing outside the laboratory environment. A brassboard follows an earlier prototyping stage called a breadboard. A brassboard contains both the functionality and approximate physical configuration of...
s to achieve a transformational leap in SATCOM capabilities. These technologies include but are not limited to: single and multi-access laser communications
(to include wide field-of-view technology), Internet protocol based packet switching
Packet switching
Packet switching is a digital networking communications method that groups all transmitted data – regardless of content, type, or structure – into suitably sized blocks, called packets. Packet switching features delivery of variable-bit-rate data streams over a shared network...
, bulk and packet encryption/decryption, battle command-on-the-move antennas,
dynamic bandwidth and resource allocation techniques, and protected bandwidth efficient modulation.
Chronology
An Interim Program Review was held 22 October 2004; the Milestone Decision Authority (MDA) directed the TSAT program to continue as planned to achieve the delivery, launch, and on-orbit checkout of the first TSAT satellite.In June 2003, the acquisition strategy for TSAT was approved, as stated in the FY05 PB justification.
On 20 January 2004, the TSAT program entered Phase B, Risk Reduction and Design Development. Phase B space segment contracts (Cost Plus, Fixed Fee) were awarded to Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is an American global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technology company with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta in March 1995. It is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington Metropolitan Area....
and Boeing
Boeing
The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
in late Jan 04. A $300M FY05 Congressional reduction resulted in a first launch delay from FY12 to FY13. In response to the Congressional reduction, the Air Force adjusted the FY06/07 budget.
On January 27, 2006 TSAT Mission Operations System (TMOS) segment development contract, worth US$2+ Billion was awarded to Lockheed Martin.
In July 2007, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman Corporation is an American global aerospace and defense technology company formed by the 1994 purchase of Grumman by Northrop. The company was the fourth-largest defense contractor in the world as of 2010, and the largest builder of naval vessels. Northrop Grumman employs over...
announced a plan to develop an IPv6
IPv6
Internet Protocol version 6 is a version of the Internet Protocol . It is designed to succeed the Internet Protocol version 4...
-based networking system with Juniper Networks
Juniper Networks
Juniper Networks is an information technology and computer networking products multinational company, founded in 1996. It is head quartered in Sunnyvale, California, USA. The company designs and sells high-performance Internet Protocol network products and services...
for the TSAT project. Boeing
Boeing
The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
also engaged in development related to the program.
The results of the competition to select the final space segment development contractor were originally to be announced in October 2007. However, the Air Force deferred this announcement until second-quarter 2008.
FY07 aimed to verify with subsystem hardware testing in a space-like environment, that technologies are mature. If a technology fails to mature, less-capable technology off-ramps exist and can be used to preserve schedule. Even the technology off-ramps will significantly enhance warfighter capabilities, and the advanced technology can be 'spiraled' into a later spacecraft. First launch was scheduled for 2QFY13.
In October 2008, the DoD announced that it was deferring until 2010 a decision on choosing a contractor to build the system. The DoD did not announce whether it would continue to fund further development of the system in the interim.
In December 2008, the US Air Force released a new request for proposal (RFP) to Lockheed Martin and Boeing. The new proposal calls for five satellites and ground stations providing message and data routing for US Army units, including vehicles in the new Future Combat Systems, with the launch of the first satellite projected for 2019. The RFP requests that the new system use the specifications developed under the less-costly, designed backup system.
Program Termination
On 6 April 2009, U.S. Secretary of Defense Gates announced the department's recommendations for the FY2010 budget. Among these recommendations was the plan to cancel the TSAT program. High cost, technological risk, and development delays were given as primary reasons, though some have argued that funding instability within the DoD was a primary cause of the protracted development timeline. A final decision on the TSAT program will be made as part of the Congressional budget approval process, however there appears to be a building consensus that the program will indeed be cancelled. As an interim replacement strategy, Secretary Gates recommended the fielding of two additional AEHF satellites.External links
See also
- Department of Defense Architecture Framework
- DoD Joint Technical Framework version 6.0
- DoD Business Enterprise Architecture
- Global Information Grid-Enterprise Services initiative
- Department Of Defense Directive (DoDD) 8100.01 "Global Information Grid - Overarching Policy", September 2002
- JTF-Global Network Operations
- Global Information GridGlobal Information GridThe Global Information Grid is an all-encompassing communications project of the United States Department of Defense.It is defined as a "globally interconnected, end-to-end set of information capabilities for collecting, processing, storing, disseminating, and managing information on demand to...