FY  1978  RDT&E  DESCRIPTIVE  SUMMARY 
Program  Element:  if   35158F  Title:  Satellite  Data  System  (SDS) 
Category:  Operational  Systems  Budget  Activity:  #5  Intelligence  and  Communications 
RESOURCES/PROJECT  LISTING/:  ($  in  Thousands) 
Project                          FY  1976  FY  19TQ  FY  1977   FY  1978   FY  1979    Additional  to  Total  Estimated 
Number   Title  Actual   Actual   Estimate  Estimate  Estimate  /  Completion      Cost   
i     Estimate/ 
-jfe.m  Jj 
TOTAL  FOR  PROGRAM  ELEMENT     30,079  3,962       13,910  12,800      j£33,700    /J      Continuing  Not  Applicable 
* 
BRIEF  DESCRIPTION  OF  ELEMENT:  The  Satellite  Data  System  (SDS)  is  a  multipurpose,  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  cover^e 
required  by  the  Air  Force  Satellite  Communications  (AFSATCOM)  system  for  essential  command  and  control  communications 
for  strategic  forces. 
BASIS  FOR  FY  1978  RDT&E  REQUEST:  This  request  includes  fundB  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  Air  Force 
has  decided  not  to  Implement  the  interim  capability  anti-jam  Improvements  previously  planned  In  FY77  for  the  AFSATCOM 
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  the  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. 
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Program  Element:  ^35158F  Title:  Satellite  Data  System 
Category:  Operational  Systems  Budget  Activity:   g5  Intelligence  and  Communications 
DETAILED  BACKGROUND  AMP  DESCRIPTION:   The  Satellite  Data  System  (SDS)  will  provide  critical,  transpolar,  two-way, 
real-time  command,  control  and  communications  for  Strategic  Air  Command  Single  Integrated  Operational  Plan  (STOP) 
forces.   Since  a  synchronous  equatorial  orbit  cannot  provide  communications  coverage  over  the  polar  rcgion_  above  70  ^T 
degrees  North  latitudex  ajfjighly  inclined  elliptical  orbiQ'vas  selected  for  the  SDS.   This_prbit  provides          // f£ 
The  SDS  Is  an  integral  part  of  the  Air  Force  Satellite 
Communications  (AFSATCOM)  system  wh"lch  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  SDS  will  complement  the  FLTSATCOM  satel- 
lite coverage  by  providing  the  requisite  transpolar  UHF  coverage.  Additionally,  SDS  will  support  the  Air  Force  Satel- 
lite Control  Facility  (AFSCF)  requirement  for  reliable,  two-way,  high  data  rate,  S-band  communications  between  the 
_AFSCF  remote  tracking  station  at  Thule,  Greenland  and  the  CONUS. 
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,  elimination  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^FSCF  stations  are  funded  * 
under  the  AFSCF  Program  Element,  35110F.  __ 
WORK  PERFORMED:   Air  Force  Systems  Command's  Space  and  Missile  Systems  Organization,  Los  Angeles,  California  is 
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  wa9  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-l)  and  qualification  (Y-l)  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, 
S 
S 
/ 
:fTT 
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Program  Element:   g35158F  Title:   Satellite  Data  System  (SDS) 
Category:   Operational  Systems  Budget  Activity:  85    Intelligence  and  Communications 
and  test  of  the  first  production  model  spacecraft  (F-2)  and  a  backup  flight  vehicle  (F-3).   The  development  and 
production  schedules  were  phased  to  achieve  the  required  delivery,  launch  and  system  operational  dates.   Communica- 
tions subsystem  engineering  models  were  completed  and  tested  in  November  1973.  The  structural  model  satellite  test- 
ing was  finished  in  May  1975.  A  qualification  model  satellite  was  built  and_  tested  to  fully  qualify  the  satellite 
prior  to  production.   '• 
All  payload3  were  fully  checked  out  on-orbit 
5.  Program  to  Completion:  This  is  a  continuing  program.  As  an  integral  part  of  the  Air  Forqe  Satellite  Communi- 
cations (AFSATCOH)  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  replenishment  spacecraft. 
/ 
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-l)  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  RDT&E  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  launch  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. 
/ 
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Program  Element:  #  35158F 
Category:  Operational  Systems 
6.   Milestones: 
A.  System  Preliminary  Design  Review 
B.  System  Critical  Design  Review 
C.  Final  Integrated  Systems  Test 
D.  Launch  First  Spacecraft 
E.  Launch  Second  Spacecraft* 
F.  Initial  Operational  Capability 
Title:  Satellite  Data  System 
Budget  Activity:  j5  intelligence  and  Communications 
«-** 
Date 
Mar  73 
Mar  74 
Estimated  Cumulative  RDT&E  Cost  to 
Reach  Milestones  ($  in  Thousands) 
49,600 
96,600 
t 
♦Subsequent  launches  will  be  on  a  replenishment  basis  as  necessary  to 
7.   Resources:   ($  in  Thousands) 
RDT&E:   Funds 
Quantities 
First  Flight  Satellite 
T-IIIB/Agena  Launch  Vehicle 
Additional  to  Total  Estimated 
FY  1976   FY  19TQ  FY  1977   FY  1976   FY  1979   Completion     Cost   
30 ,079  3,962       13,910       12,800    Jj3»700j 
Continuing 
Not  Applicable 
1* 
1* 
p>.rzr* 
♦During  the  development  period,  one  satellite  and  one  launch  vehicle  were  procured. 
Missile  Procurement: 
Funds 
Quantities 
Flight  Satellites 
T-IIIB/Agena  Launch  Vehicles 
7,800   13,400   59,400   83,200   26,100 
1**       1 
1* 
1A       l1 
**Qualif ication  model  (originally  procured  with  RDT&E  funds)  refurbished  to  become  fourth  satellite  (F-4) . 
T  T-I1IB  launch  vehicle  for  fifth  satellite  (F-5) . 
A  Agena  upperstage  launch  vehicle  for  F-5. 
I  Interim  Upper  Stage  for  planned  launch  of  F-6  satellite  on  the  Space  Shuttle 
/ 
1168
Program  Element:  9   35153F 
Category:  Operational  Systems 
TEST  AND  EVALUATION  DATA: 
Title:  Satellite  Data  System 
Budget  Activity:  g5  Intelligence  and  Communications 
1.  Development  Test  and  Evaluation:  The  development  contractor  for  the  Satellite  Data  System  (SDS)  is  Hughes 
Aircraft  Company,  El  Segundo,  California.   TheJ,irst  satellite^ yas  launched    
Initial  Operational  Capability  was  established,  _  The  fir3t  satellite  (F-D  was  funded  entirely 
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-l)  and  a  full-up  qualification  model  spacecraft  (Y-l) .   Development  tests  of  the  communications 
subsystems  engineering  models  were  completed  in  November  1973.   Structural  testing  was  satisfactorily  completed  on 
the  X-l  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  (life) 
tests  of  critical components  will  continue  throuehout  the  development  program.  The  F-l  spacecraft  was  acceptance 
tested  during  thej  The  Y-l  spacecraft  is  a  full  configured  spacecraft  which  will 
be  refurbished  and  used  as  a  back-up  flight  vehicTe  (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 
240-400  MHz 
12-5  KHz  channels  ,^7  5  BPS,  two-way  teletype 
Anti-jam  capability 
•    /
b.   AFSCF  Mission  Characteristics 
1.76  -  2.3  GHz  (S-Band) 
Data  Pass  -  256  KBs,  32  KBs 
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Program  Element:  #  35158F  Title:   Satellite  Data  System  ^ 
Category:  Operational  Systems  Budget  Activity:  $5  Intelligence  and  ConsBunicatlons  iHljjj 
d.   Orbital  life  Mean  Mission  Duration:  (MMD) 
Mission  characteristics  were  validated  during  Development  Test  and  Evaluation  (DT&E) .   Operational  characteris- 
tics and  orbit  performance  of  payioads  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) . 
«fF!7v 
•ST* 
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