FT  197**  HDTfcg  DESCRIPTIVE  SUMMARY 
Program  Element  j  35158F  Title:      KatclJite  Data  System 
Category   Intelligence  U  Communications        Budget  Activity     Hu  -  Military  Astronautics  and  Related  Equipment 
BACXCROUHD  AND  DESCRXPTIOW?     The  Satellite  Data  System  (SDS)  was  originally  planned   for  synchronous 
equatorial  orbit  using  a  multi -purpose  satellite  system  concept.     Since  the  synchronous  equatorial 
orbit  cannot  provide  communications  coverage  over  the  polar  regions  above  75  degrees  North  Latitude, 
a/highly  ellipticaljpolar  orbit  was  selected  to  provide   
The  SDS  will  complement  the  synchronous  equatorial  Fleet  Satellite  Communications 
(FLTSATCOM)  system  and  is  designed  to  support  the  Ultra  High  Frequency  (UHF)  two-way  polar  communications 
requirements  for  command  and  control  of  the  Strategic  Air  Command  Single  Integrated  Operational  Plan 
(SIOP)  forces.     The  SDS  will  also  support  the  Air  Force  Satellite  Control  Facility  (AFSCF)  requirement 
for  reliable  S-Band  communications  from  the  AFSCF  remote  tracking  station  a^fjhule,  Greenland^xo  COWS 
jpround  stations.     The  direct  benefits  derived  from  the  SDS  communications  capability  will  be  the  two-way, 
real-tiae  command  and  eontrol  of  the  SIOP  forces  over  the  polar  regions  which  will  reduce  the 
requirement  for  maintaining  expensive  overseas  ground  station  facilities  and  enhance  communications  security, 
RELATED  ACTIVITIES;     The  8pace  segment  or  the  FLTSATCOM  will  be  developed,  procured  and  launched  under 
FLTSATCOM  Frogrea  Element  (PE)  33109N.     FLTSATCOM  will  operate  at  UKF  frequencies  In  synchronous 
equatorial  orbit  and  will  complete  the  pertion  of  UHF  global  communications  coverage  not  provided  by  the 
Satellite  Data  System  polar  orbit.     The  Air  Force  UHF  aircraft  and  ground  terminals  required  for  operation 
with  the  FLTSATCOM  and  SDS  satellites  will  be  procured  within  the  Air  Force  Satellite  Communications  System 
(AFSATCOM),   PE  336OIF. 
WORK  PERFORMED  BY;     Headquarters,  Air  Force  Systems  Command,  Space  and  Missile  Systems  Organisation  (SAMSO), 
Los  Angeles,  California,  is  responsible  for  the  Satellite  Data  System.     The  primary  contractor  is  Hughes 
Aircraft  Company,  El  Segundo,  California. 
PROGRAM  ACCOKPLISHMEIfrS  AND  FUTURE  PROGRAMS? 
1,     FY  1972  and  Prior  Accomplishments ;     The  technology  phase,  completed  during  FY  1971»   confirmed  the 
technical  feasibility  of  the  design  with  the  initial  specifications  being  met  or  exceeded.     The  SDS  multi- 
purpose configuration  was  established  and  the  contract  definition  phase  was  completed  during  FY  1972. 
Evaluation  of  the  contractor  system  acquisition  proposals  was  accomplished  and  the  contract  award  was  made 
during  June  1972. 
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Budget  Activity     jh  -  Military  Astronautics  and  Related  Equipment 
Program  Element     #  35158F  Title  Satellite  Data  System 
2.  FY  1973  Program:     A  detailed  subsystem  and  spacecraft  design  and  engineering  effort  was  immediately 
started  in  support  of  a  comntmi  cat  ions  and  spacecraft  system  Preliminary  Design  Review  (PDR).     Preliminary 
component  fabrication  and  initial  assembly  and  testing  of  the  engineering  model  components  will  also  be 
started  during  FT  1973. 
3.  FT  197*»  Planned  Program;     The  FY  197**  effort  will  include  continuation  of  the  detailed  system  engineering 
and  design  work,   development  and  fabrication  of  spacecraft  and  subsystems  end  Aerospace  Ground  Equipment 
hardware,  subsystem  qualification  testing,  launch  vehicle  integration  and  development  of  software.     These 
efforts  will  be  in  support  of  a  communications  and  spacecraft  systems  Critical  Design  Review  (CDR). 
Jj«     Program  to  Completion;     The  program  schedule  will  support  a  system  Full  Operational  Capability  by 
^The  to^al  estimated  cost  has  been  reduced  fro^m  that  indicated  in  the  FY  1973  Descriptive 
"Summary  as  a  result  of  converting  from  a  cost 
model  estimate  to   cost  estimates   after  contractor  awo:d. 
t 
5.  Milestones ; 
a.  Spacecraft  and  8y stems  PDR 
b.  Spacecraft  and  Systems  CDR 
c.  First  Article  Conflg.  Insp« 
d.  Launch  First  Spacecraft 
e«  Launch  Second  Spacecraft 
f .  Full  Operational  Capability 
f; 
Datei 
Apr  1973" 
May  1971* 
Estimated  Cumulative  RDTfcE 
Cost  to  Reach  Milestones 
($  In  Millions) 
M       92.7      ' ! 
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v
Budget  Activity  #h   -  Military  Astronautics  and  Related  Equipment 
Program  Element  f   351?8F  Title  Satellite  Data  System 
RESOURCES;  ($  In  Millions) 
Additional 
to 
FY  19T2  and  Prior   FY  19T3   FY  197**   Completion 
RDT&E  j       Funds 
^Quantities 
31.7 
23.0 
40.0 
Flight  Model  Spacecraft 
T-IIIB/Agena  Launch  Vehicle 
*Tbese  quantities  vlll  bs  procured  over  the  lifetime  of  the  program- 
0  0  30.1 
Procurement: 
Funds 
Quantities 
Flight  Model  Spacecraft 
T-IIIB/Agena  Launch  Vehicles 
2*» 
Total 
Estimated 
Cost 
/ 
/ 
**The  Qualification  flpneecraft  nill  be  refurbished  and  used  as  the  last  flight  model  spacecraft 
for  a  total  of  four  flight  spacecraft. 
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