FY 1978 RDT&E DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY Program Element: # 35158F Title: Satellite Data System (SDS) Category: Operational Systems Budget Activity: #5 Intelligence and Communications RESOURCES /PROJECT LISTING/: ($ in Thousands) FY 1976 FY 19TQ FY 1977 FY 1978 FY 1979 Additional to Total Estimated Project Number Title Actual Actuai_ Estimate Estimate Rstimat Completion Cost 12,800 3; Continuing Not Applicable TOTAL FOR PROGRAM ELEMENT 30,079 3,962 13,910 BRLEF DESCRIPTION OF ELEMENT: The Satellite Data System (SDS) is a muitipurpese, polar coverage communications sat- elite which will provide reliable and secure communications over the north polar regions. Operating in conjunction with the synchronous equatorial Fleet Satellite Communications (FLTSATCOM) satellites, the SDS completes the coverage required by the Air Force Satellite Communications (AFSATCOM) system for essential command and control communications fer strategic forces. BASIS FOR FY 1978 RDIGE REQUEST: This request includes funds for sustaining engineering support, initiating design and development activities to improve the anti-jam capabilities of the AFSATCOM payload on the sixth SDS satellite (F-6) and continuing the multi-year development efforts necessary to transition to the Space Shuttle. The Afr Force has decided not to implement the interim capability anti-jam improvements previously planned in FY77 for the AFSATOOM payload on the fifth SDS satellite (F-5). This decision was influenced by the state of development for these improvements, the need to initiate procurement of the F-5 satellite in April 1977 and tne relative priority of these improvements when compared to other Air Force requirements. As previously planned, the full capability anti-jam improvements will be made to the AFSATCOM payload on the F-6 satellite. BASIS FOR INCREASE IN 1978 OVER 1977: Not applicable. “165
Frogram Flement: #35158F_ Title: Satellite Nata System Category: Operational Systems Budget Activity: #5 Intelligence and Communications DETALLED BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTiON: The Satellite Data System (SDS) will provide critical, transpolar, two-way, real-time command, control and communications for Strategic Air Command Single Integrated Operationai Plan (SIOP) forces. Since a synchron equatorial orbit cannot provide communications coverage over the polar region above 70 Zz, degrees North latitude, afeighly inclined elliptical orbit@was selected fcr the SDS. This_orbit provides’ _ fs The SDS is an integral part of the Air Force Sateilite Communications (AFSATCOM) system which includes the Air Force Ultra High Frequency (UHF) communications capability on the synchronous equatorial Fleet Satellite Communications (FLTSATCOM) satellites, piggy-back transponders on selected host satellites and airborne/ground radio terminals. As such, the &DS will complement the FLTSATCOM satel- lite coverage by providing the requisite transpolar UHF coverage. Additionally, SDS will support the Air Force Satei- lite Control Facility (AFSCF) requirement for reliable, two-way, high data rate, S-band communications between the WAFSCF remote tracking station at Thule, Greenland and the CONUS. a The direct benefits of SDS will be reliable and secure direct communications over the polar regions which will result in greatly improved_command and control of SIOP forces, eliminaticn of the dependence on vulner- able cables to the Thule station, ~ - RELATED ACTIVITIES: The space segment of the FLTSATCOM will be developed, procured and launched under the FLTSATCOM Program Element, 33109N. The Air Force aircraft and ground UHF radio terminals required for operation with the FLTSATCOM and SDS satellites are funded within the AFSATCOM Program Element, 33601F. The AFSCF stations are funded under the AFSCF Program Element, 35110F. WORK PERFORMED: Air Force Systems Command's Space and Missile Systems Organization, Los Angeles, California fs responsible for the SDS. The prime contractor is Hughes Aircraft Company, El Segundo, California. General Systems Engineering and Integration is performed by the Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, California. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND FUTURE PROGRAMS: 1. FY 1976/TQ and Prior Accomplishments: The technology phase of the program was completed in FY 1971. This was followed by a contract definition phase in FY 1972 which established the system configuration. The system acquisi- tion contractor was selected by competitive source selection and a system development contract was awarded in June 1972. The system Critical Design Review (CDR) was successfully complated in March 1974 with all critical speci- fications being met or exceeded. The structural (X-1) and qualification (Y-1) model spacecraft and the initial flight Vehicle (F-L) were procured incrementally with Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) funds. A production option to the development contract was exercised in FY 1974. This option provided for the fabrication, assembly, 1166
Program Element: #35158F Title: Satellite Data System (SDS) Category: Operational Systems Budget Activity: #5 Intelligence and Communications The development and and test of the first production model spacecraft (F-2) and a backup flipht vehicle (F-3). Communica- production schedules were phased to achieve the required delivery, launch and system operational dates. tions subsystem engineering modeis were completed and tested in November 1973. The structural model satellite test- ing was finished in May 1975. A qualification model sateilite was built and tested to fully qualify the sagellite prior to production. “ All payloads were fully checked out on-orbit 2. FY 1977 Program: Initial Operational Capability was declared for all payloads after successful on-orbit checkout. Primary activities in FY 1977 include sustaining engineering support; design and development efforts to transition follow-on satellites to the Space Shuttle and reliability improvement activities. The Quali- fication Model Satellite (Y-1) will be refurbished and will become the fourth satellite (F-4). A continuing replenishment launch capability will be maintained in case of on-orbit satellite failures. 3. FY 1978 RDTSE Planned Program: Primary efforts will include sustaining engineering support, initiating design and development efforts to improve the anti~jam capabilities of the Air Force Satellite Communications (AFSATCOM) System payload and continuing the development engineering necessary to transition follow-on satellites to the Space Shuttle. A continuing replenishment luunch capability will be maintained in case of on-orbit satellite failures. 4. FY 1979 Planned Program: The FY 1979 plan is to continue sustaining engineering support, continue development of the anti-jam improvements for the AFSATCOM payload and continue the development efforts related to Space Shuttle transition. A continuing replenishment launch capability will be maintained in case of on~-orbit satellite failures. 5. Program tc Completion: This is a continuing program. cations (AFSATCOM) System, the program will continue to provide critical communications coverage and be totally compatible with the AFSATCOM aircraft and ground radio terminals. Sustaining engineering support will be required to maintain design compatibility; to incorporate improvements for survivability, reli- ability and to provide additional replenfighment spacecraft. As an integral part of the Air Forge Satellite Communi- 1167
Program Flement: # 35158F Title: Satellite Data System Category: Operational Systems Budget Activity: 5 Intelligence and Communications Estimated Cumulative RDT&E Cost to 6. Milestones: Date Reach Milestones ($ in Thousands) System Preliminary Design Review Mar 73 49,600 System Critical Design Review Mar 74 . 96,600 Final Integrated Systems Test Launch First Spacecraft Launch Second Spacecraft*% Initial Operational Capability mim OC) oS > *Subsequent launches will be on a replenishment basis as necessary to ; Additional to Totai Estimated FY 1976 FY 19TQ FY 1977 FY 1978 FY 1979 _Completion Cost 7. Resources: ($ in Thousands) RDT&E: Funds 30,079 3,962 13,910 12,800 Bs. 100ff Continuing Not Applicable Quantities First Flight Satellite it 1* T-IIIB/Agena Launch Vehicle *During the development period, one satellite and one launch vehicle were procured. Missile Procurement: Funds 7,800 13,400 59,400 83,200 26,160 Quantities Flight Satellites 1k% 1 iT 14 1} T-LIIB/Agena Launch Vehicies kAQualification model (originally procured with RDT&E funds) refurbished to become fourth satellite (F-4). T T-ILIB launch vehicle for fifth satellite (F-5). A Agena upperstage taunch vehicle for F-5. - I Interim Upper Stage for planned launch of F-6 sateilite on the Space Shuttle ~ 1168
Program Element: # 35158F Title: Satellite Data System Category: Operational Systems Budget Activity: §5 Intelligence and Communications TEST AND EVALUATION DATA: 1. Development Test and Evaluation: The development contractor for the Satellite Data System (SDS) is Hughes Aircraft Company, El Segundo, California. The {irst satellite was launched zx Initial Operational Capability was established, The first satellite (F-f) was funded entirely “ 74 within the development program. The second satellite (F-2) was the first vehicle funded under the production program. The development hardware includes engineering models of the communication subsystems, a structural model spacecraft (X~-1) and a full-up qualification model spacecraft (Y-1). Development tests of the communications subsystems engineering mcdels were completed in November 1973. Structural testing was satisfactorily completed on the K-1 engineering model spacecraft in May 1975. Systems level qualification was completed in October 1975 with all critical performance specifications met or exceeded. System level qualification is designed to demonstrate design integrity and performance to specification via a series of tests including shock, acoustic, modal survey, thermal, electromagnetic interference (EMI), solar-thermal vacuum, and integrated system test. Reliability (iife) tests of critical components will continue throughout the development program. The F-l1 spacecraft was acceptance tested during the The Y-1 spacecraft is a full configured spacecraft which will [4 be refurbished and used as a back-up flight vehicle (F-4). 2. Operational Test and Evaluation: Test and evaluation is limited to Development Test and Evaluation (DT&E) except for payloads supporting other systems, such as Air Force Satellite Communications System (AFSATCOM), which are tested in conjunction with appropriate supported system. The AFSATCOM Final Operational Test and Evaluation (FOT&E) is scheduled for FY 1979. 3. Systems Characteristics: a. UHF mission characteristics 240-406 MHz 12 - 5 KHz channels, 75 BPS, two-way teletype Anti-jam capability x 1 £ b. AFSCF Mission Characteristics 1.76 - 2.3 GHz (S-Band) Data Pass - 256 KBs, 32 KBa 1169
Program Element: # 35158F Title: Satellite Data System Category: Operational Systems Budget Activity: #5 Intellicence and Communications d. Orbital life Mean Mission Duration (MMD) - Mission characteristics were validated during Development Test and Evaluation (DT&E). Operational characteris- tics and orbit performance cf payliosds supporting other systems will be demonstrated during the Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) of the supported system, e.g., Air Force Satellite Communications System (AFSATCOM). 1170