MISSION SUPPORT
FISCAL YEAR 1996 ESTIMATES
BUDGET SUMMARY
OFFICE OF SPACE COMMUNICATIONS SPACE COMMUNICATION SERVICES
SUMMARY OF RESOURCES REQUIREMENTS
FY 1994 FY 1995 FY 1996
(Thousands of Dollars)
Space network 117,674 111,587 206,700
Telecommunications 130,518 114,900 112,700
Total 248,192 226,487 319,400
Distribution of Program Amount by Installation
Marshall Space Flight Center 93,873 65,087 50,200
Ames Research Center 6,600 -- --
Lewis Research Center -- 2,000 11,900
Goddard Space Flight Center 134,772 149,100 247,000
Jet Propulsion Laboratory 9,041 6,600 6,900
Headquarters. 3,906 3,700 3,400
Total 248,192 226,487 319,400
MISSION SUPPORT
FISCAL YEAR 1996 ESTIMATES
OFFICE OF SPACE COMMUNICATIONS SPACE COMMUNICATION SERVICES
PROGRAM GOALS
To enable the conduct of the NASA strategic enterprises by providing telecommunications systems and services. Reliable electronic
communications are essential to the success of every NASA flight mission, from interplanetary spacecraft to the Space Shuttle to
aeronautical flight tests.
NASA’s Office of Space Communications (OSC) manages the provision of telecommunication services needed to ensure that the goals
of NASA's exploration, science, and research and development programs are met; that they are met cost-effectively; and that mission
operations and planning are performed in an integrated and standardized way. The OSC is committed to seeking and encouraging
commercialization of NASA telecommunications capabilities and to participate with NASA's strategic enterprises in collaborative
interagency, international, and commercial enterprises. As NASA’s agent for operational communications and associated
information handling services, the OSC seeks opportunities for using technology in pursuit of more cost-effective solutions, highly
optimized designs of mission systems, and advancement of NASA's and the nation's best technological and commercial interests.
STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING GOALS
The range of capabilities provided by NASA's Space Communications program is necessarily very broad. This function provides all of
NASA's capability to track, command, and acquire data from NASA spacecraft. This function is performed through utilization of
ground-based antennas and network systems; the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) of geosynchronous
communications satellites and its Earth-bound ground stations; a telecommunications network needed to relay data among NASA
mission control facilities; and the mission control and data processing facilities for NASA's currently operational Earth-orbiting
robotics systems. The function also provides for the telecommunications network used for all NASA administrative and scientific
exchanges. All NASA telecommunications scheduling, network management and engineering, flight system maneuver planning and
analysis, and preflight communications interface verification is performed by this strategic function. Near-term demonstration and
application of advanced communications and information systems technologies are conducted through the support of various
sponsored labs and facilities.
Some NASA missions have unique needs -- e.g., communicating with spacecraft having low-powered transceivers flying in the outer
reaches of our solar system and beyond or relaying very high rates of data from spacecraft anywhere over the roughly 785 million
square miles of surface area of the Earth. Specialized systems such as the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) and
the Deep Space Network (DSN) are required. Other needs can be satisfied using alternate approaches, including smaller ground
transceiver systems and commercially-available systems and services. Key to NASA's future is our ability to take advantage of
emerging communications technologies, especially the increasing levels of automation and standardization of systems and
procedures that these technologies allow.
Integrated solutions to Agency communication and information management needs are sought based on understanding and
accommodating common aspects of all of NASA's programs. Cost-effective systems are achieved through an integrated, end-to-end
approach to the design of communication systems, including the large and costly data processing systems needed to support
current and future NASA missions. NASA flight programs are supported through study and coordination of the data standards and
communications frequencies to be used in the future.
The Space Communications function is carried out collaboratively with other NASA programs in the formulation of NASA's policy
interests. When science or exploration goals require coordination of international or other U.S. telecommunications, mission control
or data processing capabilities, NASA's space communication assets are incorporated into agreements and understandings.
International and interagency agreements are entered into for the exchange of communication services among space-faring nations,
other U.S. agencies, and in support of commercial U.S. space enterprises.
As part of the second phase of the National Performance Review, NASA has been tasked to explore how more of NASA's Tracking and
Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) requirements could be met with broader-based commercial communication services.
The Space Communication Services program, one part of NASA's Space Communications program, provides high data rate, near-
continuous coverage of Earth-orbiting spacecraft, including the Space Transportation System (STS); and NASA-wide
telecommunications network services. The unique requirements of some suborbital missions for continuous tracking and
communication services are also supported by this program. Services include tracking, spacecraft command, spacecraft health and
safety data acquisition, and science data acquisition; and telecommunications services for all of NASA's operational, research and
analysis, and administrative requirements.
The seventh Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) is scheduled to be deployed in FY 1995; the new Danzante, or Second TDRS
System Ground Terminal (STGT), was recently designated the primary ground terminal for the TDRSS; and development of 3 TDRS
Replenishment Spacecraft is about to begin. Upgrade of the Cacique, previously known as the White Sands Ground Terminal
(WSGT), will soon be underway, scheduled for completion in FY 1996. Operational support for NASA's STS and other high data rate
scientific spacecraft missions will continue, including the nation's premiere astronomical observatory, the Hubble Space Telescope
(HST).
An upcoming demonstration of advanced switching technology promises to allow the consolidation and improved efficiency of service
of NASA telecommunications networks.
BASIS OF FY 1996 FUNDING REQUIREMENT
SPACE NETWORK
FY 1994 FY 1995 FY 1996
(Thousands of Dollars)
Space network services 55,701 13,200 10,700
*TDRS replacement spacecraft 5,700 22,200 --
TDRS replacement launch services 34,673 15,587 --
*TDRS replenishment program 2,600 42,000 195,800
*Second TDRSS ground terminal 19,000 18,600 200
Total 117,674 111,587 206,700
*Total Cost information is provided in the Special Issues section.
PROGRAM GOALS
To provide reliable, cost-effective space-based tracking, command and data acquisition systems and services for NASA’s Human
Space Flight program, other low-Earth orbiting science missions, including observatory-class systems, and selected sub-orbital
flight systems. The Space Network program provides for the implementation, maintenance and operation of the tracking and
communication systems and facilities necessary to ensure the health and safety and the sustained level of high quality performance
of NASA flight systems. Launch systems needed to deploy the Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS) spacecraft are also
included under this program.
The Space Network program supports NASA's programs in collaborative interagency, international, and commercial enterprises; and
independently provides support to other national and commercial space-faring enterprises on a reimbursable basis.
STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING GOALS
NASA’s Space Network is comprised of a constellation of geostationary TDRS and associated dual ground terminals located in White
Sands, New Mexico. The current TDRS constellation consists of three fully functional satellites, and two partially functional
satellites. The last satellite, launched in January 1993, was recently used to verify the performance of the Second TDRS System
(TDRSS) Ground Terminal (STGT) prior to its acceptance for operation. This spacecraft has been returned to backup on-orbit
availability. One partially functional satellite is being operated to reduce schedule overloads during Shuttle missions; the other has
been repositioned over the Indian Ocean to increase data return from the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO). The CGRO
experienced problems with its tape recorder subsystem, requiring a remote ground terminal and dedicated data relay satellite to
complete its scientific mission.
The Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) manages the Space Network program, including the procurement of replenishment
satellites and development, upgrade and maintenance of the ground facilities necessary to sustain network operations for current
and future missions. TRW is the prime contractor for the TDRS Replacement Spacecraft program. The prime contractor for the
TDRS Replenishment Spacecraft program has not been selected. The development of Danzante, the designated title of the STGT,
and the modification and modernization of the original ground station, Cacique, is the responsibility of Martin Marietta Corporation.
The GTE Corporation and the AlliedSignal Technical Services Corporation are the contractors responsible for operating the TDRS
spacecraft from the White Sands location. Beginning in FY 1996, these two contracts will be merged. Engineering and software
support are provided by the Computer Sciences Corporation.
In coordination with NASA’s Ground Network program which provides launch and landing support for the Space Transportation
System (STS) and the Space Network Customer Services program which provides scheduling, engineering and preflight
communication subsystems verification for spacecraft to be supported by the Space Network, NASA’s Space Network program
provides unique high data rate, near-continuous communication services to any user outfitted for access to the TDRSS. These
include NASA’s STS, other compatible low-Earth orbiting missions, and selected suborbital systems. The TDRSS serves as the
primary data relay service for NASA’s Human Space Flight program. Telemetry relay services are provided at data rates up to 300
Mbps using its Ku-band single-access antenna service, data rates up to 3 Mbps using S-band single-access service, and a low rate
service up to 50 Kbps using the TDRS spacecraft's multiple-access service. Service ranges from low rate commanding of robotic
space flight systems to wide-band televideo services provided for NASA’s Human Space Flight endeavors. Acquisition of the high
rate science data characteristic of NASA’s Earth Observing System (EOS) is also within the capacity of NASA’s Space Network
system. A new initiative to develop a low-power, low-weight transponder system for spacecraft applications, co-funded under the
Mission Control and Data Systems long-range technology program and the Space Network Customer Services program, promises to
expand the scope and number of users of the TDRSS.
Besides operation of the current constellation of data relay satellites and ground terminals which compose the TDRSS, NASA’s
Space Network program also provides for continuous replenishment of the spacecraft assets of the system. The TDRS Replacement
Spacecraft program, begun in FY 1987 as a result of the loss of a TDRS spacecraft aboard Challenger, is now in the latter stages of
development and will result in the addition of a sixth functionally-identical, nearly design-identical spacecraft to the current
constellation of TDRS. Due to spacecraft reliability assessments which indicate that a sufficient number of TDRS may not be
available by the end of the decade, the TDRS Replenishment Spacecraft program is also being initiated. Contract proposals for an
additional 3 TDRS spacecraft have been under review by NASA since the latter part of 1994. Contract award and the initiation of
development of these spacecraft is scheduled to occur in February 1995. Due to the high degree of sensitivity regarding this firm
fixed price, commercial practices procurement, further details regarding the proposed design, capability, cost, launch requirements,
and other details of the program are unavailable at this time. NASA is considering identifying additional FY 1995 funds to apply to
the TDRS Replenishment program.
Development of Danzante has been completed. Begun in FY 1989 and recently delayed due to technical difficulties in completing
some of the more advanced features of the new ground terminal and in ensuring complete user satisfaction with the service,
Danzante was approved for primary operations in December 1994. Cacique, formerly known as the White Sands Ground Terminal
(WSGT), is currently operating in a backup mode to Danzante and will begin its own refurbishment once Danzante has fully
demonstrated stable support to all of its users. As was originally proposed at the time of initiation of the STGT program, the new
ground terminal will preclude the possibility of loss of the Space Network system, with attendant interruption of the operation of the
space flight systems which the telecommunication system supports, which would have occurred had the single ground terminal
been lost to a natural disaster, fire or other catastrophic incident. The new ground terminal and its refurbished twin is also
expected to reduce the cost of operating and sustaining both terminals of the White Sands Complex below the level formerly required
to support one ground terminal. Finally, the reliability, quality, and volume of TDRSS service available to users will increase as a
result of this program.
Besides the development of capital facilities, the Space Network requires a variety of collateral activities. The Space Network
Services program provides for the White Sands Complex activities needed to operate and maintain NASA’s Space Network.
Operation at this site includes monitoring of ground terminal performance; commanding and monitoring of the TDRS spacecraft
themselves; and interface with the Network Control Center (NCC), located at the GSFC, from which user spacecraft services are
scheduled. Operation and support for the NCC is provided for under the Space Network Customer Services program under the
NASA Appropriation for Science, Aeronautics and Technology. Because a large portion of TDRSS services are consumed by other
U.S. agencies on a reimbursable basis, a large budgetary offset is assigned to the Space Network Services program. This program
element is co-funded by these reimbursable receipts and by direct appropriation authority.
The Space Network Services program also provides for data buffering for STS telemetry, telecommunications line outage recording,
data link monitoring, and security for secure communication services for user systems. Voice and televideo services are provided for
STS operations. The Compton Gamma Ray Observatory Remote Terminal System (GRTS) located at Tidbinbilla, Australia, used to
operate a TDRS spacecraft located over the Indian Ocean for CGRO science data acquisition, is remotely controlled from the White
Sands Complex.
The Space Network will supply telecommunication for the International Space Station (ISS), including the needs of the international
partners. Agreements are in place with Japan, the European Space Agency (ESA), and Canada. Negotiations are continuing with
the Russian Space Agency (RSA) as a participant for potential cooperative endeavors in telecommunications.
MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE
FY 1994 FY 1995 FY 1996
Number of hours of space network service 6,100 26,500 26,900
TDRS Replacement Spacecraft
Complete Thermal-Vacuum Tests Testing verified the systems ability to perform in temperature extremes in the
May 1994 environment of space.
Complete Single Access Antenna This final step in assembly of major appendages allows final integration and
InstallationDecember 1994 testing to begin prior to shipment of the spacecraft to Kennedy Space Center.
Satellite Deployment by the STS Deployment, followed by a checkout period, places all existing NASA TDRS
June 1995 assets in their on-orbit operational and backup positions.
Second TDRSS Ground Terminal
Provisional Contract Acceptance Acceptance allowed for continued testing and final problem resolution by
April 1994 AlliedSignal Technical Services Corporation, the operations contractor for
STGT, to begin. The development contract warranty and sustaining
engineering support periods also began.
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) Declaration of IOC allowed the STGT to begin operational support for STS and
September 1994 user spacecraft systems on a test and event-shadowing basis. Initiation of a 6
month period of stable operational support required prior to WSGT
Decommission also began.
One Time Switch over STGT was declared the primary operational facility of TDRSS, allowing the level
December 1994 of operational support provided by that facility to grow to normal operational
workloads.
STGT Full Operational Capability (FOC) This event, following 6 months of stable use and support of user spacecraft
February 1995 operations, allows the WSGT to be shut down for its refurbishment.
Complete WSGT Level 6 Testing Completion of end-to-end systems-level testing allows the WSGT to be returned
March 1996 to service and the original goal of the STGT development program, to ensure
fail-safe TDRSS operations, to be met.
TDRS Replenishment Spacecraft
Contract Award Early design activities will begin.
February 1995
Preliminary Design Review Verification that the proposed contractor design will meet NASA performance
August 1995 (Preliminary) requirements will be performed.
Critical Design Review Verification that the spacecraft development contractor is prepared to begin
March 1996 (Preliminary) development and manufacture of the TDRS spacecraft will be performed,
including detailed manufacturing assembly and integration and test
processes.
Complete TDRS-H Integration and Test Completion of spacecraft aliveness, performance, and environmental tests
December 1998 (Preliminary) allows final assembly and retesting to begin prior to shipment for launch.
Launch TDRS-H Launch within four years of contract award will be performed, ensuring the
1 Qtr. 1999 continuity of TDRSS services to user space flight systems. Launch of TDRS-I
and TDRS-J is scheduled one and two years following the launch of the first
TDRS Replenishment Spacecraft.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PLANS
In FY 1994, the TDRSS Space Network provided support for the HST First Servicing Mission and 6 other missions of the STS,
including the Space Radar Lab (SRL-1), Spacehab-2, International Microgravity Lab (IML-2), and Space Life Sciences (SLS-2).
Operational support was also provided to the CGRO, the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS), the Earth Radiation Budget
Satellite (ERBS), the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE), and the Ocean Topography Experiment (TOPEX). Support is also
provided for classified users of NASA’s Space Network system.
In FY 1995, the X-ray Timing Explorer (XTE), the Long Duration Balloon Program, and NASA’s ER-2 Earth science research aircraft
will be added to the workload of the TDRSS Space Network. Seven flights of the STS are planned, including Spacehab-3, U.S.
Microgravity Lab (USML-2), Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science (ATLAS-3), SRL-2, Astro-2, the first Shuttle/MIR
rendezvous, and the deployment of the seventh TDRS. No new robotic spacecraft missions are to be added to the Space Network
workload in FY 1996. Seven flights of STS are scheduled, including Tether Satellite System (TSS), Spacehab-4, Life and Microgravity
Spacelab, and three additional Shuttle/MIR rendezvous missions.
In FY 1994, the TDRS Replacement Spacecraft completed thermal-vacuum testing and began final assembly of all appendages;
multiple access antennas were installed in FY 1994 and single access antennas were installed early in FY 1995. The program is on
schedule for a planned deployment in June 1995.
Technical difficulties were resolved in the development of the new Danzante, or STGT, ground terminal in FY 1994. Following
provisional contract acceptance in April 1994, Initial Operational Capability was declared in September 1994, and Danzante is
currently performing as the primary ground terminal for the Space Network. Once Full Operational Capability is certified, the
Cacique ground terminal will discontinue backup operations and begin to be refurbished. This event, scheduled for March 1995, is
to be followed by a year-long equipment installation and facilities refurbishment effort leading to a return of Cacique service in April
1996. One of the two operational ground terminals will be held in a standby condition in support of TDRSS operations, subject to
user need for the services of additional TDRS spacecraft which would require the concurrent operation of more than 3 TDRS
spacecraft.
FY 1994 saw continued preparation and initiation of procurement activities for the TDRS Replenishment Spacecraft program.
Offeror’s proposals are currently under review, with contract award scheduled for February 1995. Due to the high degree of
sensitivity regarding this firm fixed price, commercial practices procurement, further details regarding the proposed design,
capability, cost, launch requirements, and other details of the program are unavailable at this time. Preliminary Government
schedules indicate that a Preliminary Design type review will be performed near the end of FY 1995, and a Critical Design type
review around mid-FY 1996. Scheduled events and the type of oversight procedures to be adopted in this procurement are subject
to contract negotiation.
24 hour per day, 7 day per week operations and maintenance support of the White Sands Complex was sustained throughout FY
1994 and will continue through FY 1996. Support provided for operation of Cacique by GTE Corporation under the TDRSS program
has been merged beginning in FY 1995 with the Space Network Services program. The latter program will henceforth provide the
funds necessary for operation and maintenance of both ground terminals at the White Sands Complex. Staff of GTE are to support
tear-down and refurbishment of the Cacique terminal beginning in March 1995, and will be merged with staff of the AlliedSignal
Technical Services Corporation under a single contract beginning in FY 1996. Operations planning for current and future missions
to be supported by NASA’s Space Network are supported through the Space Network Services program. This includes planning for
deployment of the seventh TDRS spacecraft in June 1995; for flights of the STS, its attached payloads, and Shuttle/MIR rendezvous
events; and for the future International Space Station, Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM), and the Earth Observing
System (EOS) AM-1 mission. Future command-only support for the Gravity Probe-B (GP-B) mission is also being planned. The
TDRSS Space Network will be the primary telecommunication system for the International Space Station.
BASIS OF FY 1996 FUNDING REQUIREMENT
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
FY 1994 FY 1995 FY 1996
(Thousands of Dollars)
Telecommunications 130,518 114,900 112,700
PROGRAM GOALS
To provide reliable, cost-effective telecommunications systems and services for mission control, science data handling, and program
administration for NASA programs. The Telecommunications program provides for the implementation, maintenance and operation
of the telecommunication circuits, control centers, switching systems, and other equipment necessary to provide an integrated
approach to NASA communication requirements.
The Telecommunications program supports NASA's programs in collaborative interagency, international, and commercial
enterprises; many collaborative arrangements are performed on a reimbursable basis.
STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING GOALS
NASA's Telecommunications program is a nationwide system of leased voice, video, data, and wide-band terrestrial and satellite
circuits; control centers, switching centers, network equipment, and other communications devices. International
telecommunications links are also provided to NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN) sites in Australia and Spain; Spaceflight Tracking
and Data Network (STDN) sites outside the Continental U.S.; and to common telecommunications exchange points that provide
interconnectivity to NASA international partners. Administrative, scientific, and mission control exchanges among NASA and its
industrial and scientific partners are supported by NASA's telecommunications networks and systems. Support and participation
by other U.S. agencies, universities, and research centers; and by other space-faring nations are also facilitated, including the
provision of secure circuits, systems, and facilities. Domestic telecommunications circuits are leased by NASA under the FTS-2000
contract managed by the General Services Administration (GSA); international circuits are leased under separate contractual
arrangements. NASA's telecommunications program maintains cooperative networking agreements for exchanging services with the
European Space Agency (ESA), Canada, Japan, France, and Russia. The Computer Sciences Corporation and AlliedSignal Technical
Services Corporation provide engineering and operations support for the telecommunications networks.
Currently, NASA telecommunications services are provided by two separate networks; these are the NASA Communications Network
(NASCOM), managed by the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), and the Program Support Communications Network (PSCN),
managed by the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). A major NASCOM sub-switching center for overseas communications
services is located at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Each network provides a unique set of services to all NASA Centers and
to other users.
NASCOM interconnects all NASA installations, including spacecraft mission control facilities, tracking and data acquisition
networks, launch sites, NASA data processing centers, and scientific investigators whose support is critical to mission control and
command. Command, telemetry and voice systems are provided for NASA mission control activities. NASA aeronautical test sites
and preflight verification of NASA spacecraft systems and their interconnectivity with NASA communications systems are also
supported by NASCOM.
The PSCN interconnects NASA installations and national and international aerospace contractors, laboratories, scientific
investigators, educational institutions, and other Government installations in support of the administration, science data exchange,
and other research and analysis type activities. The PSCN provides voice and video teleconferencing, broadcast television, computer
networking services as well as data handling and transfer services.
NASA's Telecommunications program provides for the improvement, operation and maintenance of NASA network systems and
facilities. Telecommunications network systems include digital voice; data and video switching equipment; audio and video
conferencing and bridging systems; wide band multiplexing equipment; and sophisticated network management, monitoring and
fault isolation systems. Equipment and facilities of NASA Select Television is also provided by the Telecommunications program.
NASA is in the process of demonstrating the use of Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) telecommunications switching technology for
management of wide band networks; this advanced technology allows for sharing of leased circuits among NASA users. If
successful, this demonstration promises to enhance the integration of NASA telecommunications requirements, providing for
additional economies-of-scale, enhanced reliability through circuit diversity at reduced cost, optimization of NASA utilization of
leased circuit bandwidths, and more rapid universal application of common data standards for NASA systems. At that time, the
consolidation of the transmission infrastructure of the NASA telecommunications networks will be examined.
MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE
FY 1994 FY 1995 FY 1996
Number of end user spacecraft contacts
using NASCOM 79,400 87,300 96,000
Number of locations connected by PSCN 481 500 520
Number of electronic conferences supported
by PSCN 2,030 2,230 2,450
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PLANS
In FY 1994, telecommunications services and systems were provided to support all NASA operational flight systems. Services were
also provided for all administrative, programmatic and technical information exchanges required for pre-flight systems; and NASA
transmission of data to NASA-supported scientists and researchers. NASCOM circuits were added for support of the Atmospheric
Laboratory for Applications and Science (ATLAS-3) and International Microgravity Lab (IML-2) missions, and in support of the
X-ray Timing Explorer (XTE) and international RadarSat program. During FY 1994, the PSCN was extended to provide services in
Russia to meet the networking requirements of the international Space Station and other collaborative flight and scientific missions.
A network switching center has been established in Moscow to provide voice, data and video services to several locations. PSCN
services were also extended to NASA's Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) facility located at Fairmont, West Virginia.
Also in FY 1994, initiatives to provide a new NASCOM Digital Matrix Switch and automation of command and status systems was
initiated. These projects are scheduled for completion in FY 1995. In FY 1996, NASCOM statistical multiplexers at four NASA
Centers; this work is to be completed in FY 1997. Finally, the NASCOM program is in the process of providing new cable facilities
for the operational local area network at the GSFC.
The PSCN will add circuit concentrators, network routers, and voice and video equipment for new communication gateways in
Moscow and Fairmont, West Virginia in FY 1994. In FY 1995 and 1996, equipment for all network gateways will be added in
support of low bandwidth video conferencing and to upgrade the network management system.
During FY 1995, the initial phase of providing NASCOM service to Moscow will be completed in time to support the first Shuttle/MIR
mission. Other circuits will be added for the Eureca-3 and Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM). New mission
requirements will be accommodated within existing PSCN capacity in FY 1995 and 1996, and existing NASCOM capacity in FY 1996.
Finally, the ATM pilot will begin in FY 1995 requiring limited procurement of hardware for demonstration of the new switching
technology at four NASA sites. Network operations using representative telecommunications traffic loads will begin late in the fiscal
year and continue until all technical and operational issues have been addressed.
MS 2