(U) Communications Upgrades (COMMU)

(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 Communications upgrade will provide a distributed communications architecture for the Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN) users by replacing the aging Operational Traffic Switching System (OTSS).  This program is an ECP to the SMC/CW Range Communications Development Contract (RCDC); it is called the Operational Switch Replacement (OSR).  The AFSCN users will be connected directly to the worldwide Remote Tracking Stations (RTS) using DISA's ATM network (DISN).  The users will be prioritized by AFSPC/DRSN for the equipment to make this architecture change a reality.

Description: (U)
(U) The Communications Segment of the AFSCN provides an interface to DISA's long-haul communications services.  The network currently uses this service to connect to the 8 current RTS sites.  Today's architecture constrains the AFSCN users to have their satellite data routed through either Onizuka Air Station (OAS) or Schriever AFB (SAFB; formerly Falcon AFB); or set up a unique, costly interface with separate communications services (e.g., DMSP communications).  The OSR architecture will enable satellite vehicle users with Satellite Operations Centers (SOC) geographically separated (e.g., Fleet Numerical Meteorology Oceanography Center, FNMOC, Monterey, CA) from OAS and SAFB to route commands and telemetry directly to/from the RTS's.  This allows the SOCs much greater flexibility to perform their particular contacts to their space vehicles.  The DISA network will utilize a new data protocol: Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM).  This new protocol will allow users to have a greater capability to send larger amounts of data through the same sized data pipe.  It has been used throughout the Air Force on non-operational systems (e.g., Hospital MIS systems); the AFSCN will be one of the first to use this as an operational system.

User Impact: (U)
(U) The planned OSR project will enable the AFSCN users the ability to directly access the worldwide RTS sites without going through either OAS or SAFB.  Eventually, all satellite control functions will be distributed to the particular mission SOCs.  These SOCs have been geographically migrating away from OAS and SAFB.  Some of the functions have not followed this migration (e.g., Satellite Tracking performed by 1 SOPS for the DSP mission).  As commercial software develops, these functions will naturally flow to the mission SOCs to allow the mission operators to take on the true total responsibility for these satellite Mission Areas.

Programmatics: (U)
(U) Operational.

(U) Organizations and Funding:
	(U) Air Force: Funding Source.
		
(U) Key Programmatic milestones for the Range Segment are as follows:
a.  WANIU/CC&M/ARS ATP - Apr 96
b.  ARS/C&M CDR - Jul 97 
c.  WANIU CDR - Feb 98
d.  ARS OMRT - Nov 98
e.  CC&M OMRT - Nov 98.
f.  OSR CDR - Mar 99
g.  WANIU OMRT - Jan 00
h.  RC3M CDR - FY00
i.  OSR preliminary OMRT - Jan 01
j.  RC3M OMRT - FY02
k.  Funding for DISN ATM Connectivity for prime AFSCN external users - FY01

Related Initiatives: (U)
(U) RSA Phase 1, RSA Phase 2A/B

Related Requirements: (U)
(U) None.

Related Categories: (U)
(U) AFSCN, Satellite Operations

Road Map Placements: (U)
(U) SPACE FORCES SUPPORT.

Lead Office: (U)
(U) Air Force.

Date of Information: (U)
14 August 1998

(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).)