(U) Challenge Athena

(The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).)

Overview: (U)
(U)  The Challenge Athena program leverages commercial satellite communications capabilities to provide deployed Navy carrier battle groups with high data rate (T1) communications capabilities for the transmission and dissemination of national imagery, telemedicine, radio central orderwire, sailor telephone, and intelligence and surveillance data. 

Description: (U)
(U) Challenge Athena allows for at-sea imagery and intelligence transmission, data-base access, video-teleconferencing, multi-line CONUS telephone connectivity, and telemedicine.  The system uses leased 36 mHz transponder from COMSAT with a global beam to eliminate the need to track the ship which also allows any unit similarly equipped within the satellite footprint to receive the same feed. The Challenge Athena I demonstration established a one-way (simplex) link to USS George Washington (CVN 73) for a three month period in 1992.  Challenge Athena II, provided a two-way (full duplex) T-1 transmit/receive link with the USS George Washington during an entire six month deployment.  Challenge Athena III will extend the number of commercial satellite communications terminals deployed. 

User Impact: (U)
(U) To be supplied.

Programmatics: (U)
(U) Operational.
	(U) IOC: 01/1996 (2QFY1996).
		(U)  Afloat Telecom Service Contract- 4QFY97.

Related Initiatives: (U)
(U) Wideband Gapfiller

Related Requirements: (U)
(U) None.

Related Categories: (U)
(U) Leased Services

Road Map Placements: (U)
(U) MILSATCOM.

Lead Office: (U)
(U) Navy.

Date of Information: (U)
01 October 1997

(The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).)