FY 1976, 197T and 1 RDTXE DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY Program Element # 35158F Title: Satellite Data System Category Intelligence and Communications Budget Activity #4 - Military Astronautics and Related Equipment BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION: The Satellite Data System (SDS) is designed to provide critical transpolar, two- way, real-time command, control and communications for Strategic Air Command Single Integrated Operational Plan (SIOP) forces. Since a synchronous equatoria} orbit cannot provide compunications coverage over the _ polar regions ebove 70 degrees North Latitude, arhighly inclined ellipticayforbit was selected_to provide .. The SDS is an integral part of the Air Force Satellite Communi- cetions (AFSATCOM) system which includes the Air Force Ultra High Frequency (UHF) communications capability on the synchronous equatcrial Fleet Satellite Communications (FLTSATCOM) program, piggy-back transponders on selected host satellites, and airborne/ground redio terminals. As euch, the SDS will complement the FLTSATCOM program by providing the requisite polar UHF capability. Additionally, the SDS will support the Air Force Satellite 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. 4 ] The direct benefits derived from the SDS capabilities will be the reliable and secure direct communications linkage over the polar regions to provide greatly improved command and control wf SIQP forces, eliminate the dependence on vulnerabie undersea cables to the Thule station, RELATED ACTIVITIES: The Space segment of the FLTSATCOM will be developed, procured and launched under FLTSATCOM Program Element, PE 33109N. The Air Force aircraft and ground UHF radio terminals required for operation with the FLTSATCOM and SDS satellites will be procured within the AFSATCOM Program Element, PE 33601F. The AFSCF statjons are funded under the AFSCF Program Element, PE 35110F. WORK PERFORMED BY: Headquarters, Air Force Systems Command, Space and Missile Systems Organization (SAMSO), Los Angeles, California, is responsible for the Satellite Data System. The primary contractor is Hughes Aircraft Company, El Segundo, California. General Systems Engineering and Technical Direction (GSE/TD) is performed by The Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, California. 360 SON Pa
Budget Activity #4 - Military Astronautics and Related Equipment Program Element # 35158F Title: Satellite Data System PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND FUTURE PROGRAMS: 1. FY 197k 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 acquisition 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 completed in March of 1974 with all critical specifications being met or exceeded. The structural and qualification model space- craft and the initial flight vehicle (F-1) are being procured incrementaliv with RDT&E funds. A production option to the development contract was exercised beginning in FY 1974. Thie option provides for the fabrication, assembly, and test of the first production model spacecraft (F-2). The development and produc- tion schedules are phased to achieve the required delivery, launch and system operational dates. The key to thie phased schedule ie that subsystem lead-time is essential to achieve an orderly spacecraft production flow. Critical development and qualification activity is completed before subsystem/system fabrication and assembly is begun and all development activity is completed before production is started at each critical The communications subsystems engineering models were completed by November 1973. Fabrication of stage. Fabrication the structural model spacecraft was completed and tests were begun in the fourth quarter FY74. and assembly of the qualification model spacecraft was started during FY 1974. Structural model testing and subsystem level qualification testing will be completed 2. FY 1975 Program: during this period. Due to industry wide delays in delivery of high-reliability electronic piece parts, the qualification model and development spacecraft (F-1) assembly and test schedules have been altered. System level qualification testing is now scheduled to begin during the third quarter FY75. e “7 Production of the back-up flight vehicle (F-3) will te initiated in FY 1975. Launch vehicle integration and spacecraft software development will be continued during this fiscal year. : 3. Planned Program for FY 1976 and {[T: During FY 1976, system level qualification will be completed A { The back-up flight vehicle (F-3) will be delivered. 4. Planned Program for FY 1977: Activities planned during this period include sustaining engineering support, initiation of study and preliminary design to improve follow-on satellites for survivability, reliability, and performance. Design work to convert the satellites to launch on the space shuttle will also be initiated. 361 AN
Budget Activity #& - Military Astronautics and Related fFquipment. Program Element # 35158F Title: Satellite Data System 5. Program to Completion: This is a continuing program. Az an integral part of the AFSATCOM System, the program will continue to provice 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, reliability and capability and to provide additional replenishment spacecraft. Estimated Cumulative RDT&E Cost to 6. Milestones: Date Reach Milestones ($ In Millions) a. System PRD Mar 1973 49.6 b. System CDR Mar 197h_ _ 96.6 ce. First Article Config. Insp. d. Launch First Spacecraft e. Launch Second Spacecraft t f. Full Operational Capability .! _ RESOURCES: ($ In Millions) Additional to Total Estimated FY74 FY75 FYTS FYTT FYT7T Completion Cost RDT&E: Funds 41.9 36.5 30.2 4.o 10.4 continuing Not applicable *Quantities Flight Model Spacecraft 1 T-IIIB/Agena Launch Vehicles 1 *These quantities will be procured over the lifetime of the program. Missiie Procurement: Funds (3020) 39.6 42.9 9.6 13.45 9.6 continuing Not applicable Quantities Flight Model Spaceernit yae yee T-tLIB/Agena Launeh Vetileien "*The Qualification Spacecraft will be refurbished and used as a backup flight spare. 362
Budget Activity: #4 - Military Astronautics and Related Equipment Program Flement: 35i58F - Satellite Data System Test and Evaluation Data 1. Development Test and Evaluation: The development contrector for the Satellite Data System (SDS) is Hughes Aircraft Company, El Segundo, California. The contractor is conducting the development program in support of satellite launches _ to establish the initial orbital deployment and achieve an Initial Operational Capability _.. The first satellite to be launched (F-1) is being funded entirely within the development program. The second flight spacecraft (F-~2) is the first vehicle being 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 spececraft (Y¥-1). Development tests of the communication subsystems engineering models were completed in November 1973 with all critical performance specifications being met or exceeded. The X-1 spacecraft has heen fabricated, assembled and is undergoing testing - System level qualification is designed to demonstrate design integrity and performance to specifi- cation vie a series of tests including shock, acoustic, model survey, thermal, electromagnetic interference (EMI), solar-thermal vacuum, and integrated system test. Subsyatem level qualification tests are in . . progress and will be completed prior to initiation of system level qualification testing. Reliability (life) tests of critical components will_continue throughout the development program. The F-1 spacecraft will undergo acceptance test during the _ ; . The Y-1 spacecraft is a full configured spacecraft which will be refurbished, as required, and used as a back-up flight vehicle (F-4). 2. Operational Test and Evaluation: OT&E is accomplished on the individual systems supported by this AFSATCOM, PE 3360iF and Satellite Control Facility, PE 35110F. program element, such as: 3. Systems Characteristics: a. UNF mission aracteristics 40-00 MH 2- 5 KHz channels, 75 BPS, two-way teletype} ; Anti-Jam capability - as 363
Budget Activity: # ~ Military Astronautics and Related Equipment Program Element: 35158F - Satellite Data System b. SCF Mission Characteristics 16 ~ 2.3}GHz (S-Band) Data pass ~{256 KBs, 32 KBs)” Cc. d. Orbital life Mean Mission Durstion (MMD) - Mission characteristics will be validated during DT&. orbit performance will be demonstrated during OT&E. 364 ; fee elliptical}orvit [fe npfertod, transpolar coverage. Operational characteristics and at