| MISSION COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES | FY 1996 | FY 1997 | FY 1998 |
| Ground Networks | 259,500 | 245,600 | 224,700 |
| Mission Control and Data Systems | 162,800 | 147,100 | 145,000 |
| Space Network Customer Service | 27,200 | 25,900 | 31,100 |
| Total | 449,500 | 418,600 | 400,800 |
| Distribution of Program Amount by Installation | FY 1996 | FY 1997 | FY 1998 |
| Johnson Space Center | -- | 8,200 | -- |
| Marshall Space Flight Center | 3,000 | 1,300 | 2,100 |
| Dryden Space Flight Center | 13,900 | 15,000 | 14,500 |
| Lewis Research Center | 10,100 | 9,800 | 10,000 |
| Goddard Space Flight Center | 228,515 | 194,800 | 202,800 |
| Jet Propulsion Laboratory | 190,172 | 185,700 | 169,000 |
| Headquarters | 3,813 | 3,800 | 2,400 |
| Total | 449,500 | 418,600 | 400,800 |
PROGRAM GOALS
The Space Communications goal is 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 planetary spacecraft
to the Space Transportation System (STS) to aeronautical flight
tests.
The National Space Policy stipulates that NASA will "seek
to privatize or commercialize its space communications operations
no later than 2005". The Space Operations Management Office
(SOMO), located at the Johnson Space Center, manages the telecommunication,
data processing, mission operation, and mission planning services
needed to ensure the goals of NASA's exploration, science, and
research and development programs are met in an integrated and
cost-effective manner. In line with the National Space Policy,
the SOMO is committed to seeking and encouraging commercialization
of NASA operations services and to participate with NASA's strategic
enterprises in collaborative interagency, international, and commercial
initiatives. As NASA's agent for operational communications and
associated information handling services, the SOMO 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.
The Mission Communications Services are composed of Ground Networks,
Mission Control and Data Systems, and Space Network Customer Service.
These programs establish, operate, and maintain NASA ground networks,
mission control, and data processing systems and facilities to
provide communications service to a wide variety of flight programs.
These include deep space, Earth-orbital, research aircraft, and
sub-orbital missions. Mission support services such as orbit and
attitude determination, spacecraft navigation and maneuver support,
mission planning and analysis and other mission services are provided.
New communications techniques, standards, and technologies for
the delivery of communication services to flight operations teams
and scientific users are developed and applied. Radio spectrum
management and data standards coordination for NASA are conducted
under this program.
STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING GOALS
The Space Communications program provides command, tracking and
telemetry data services between the ground facilities and flight
mission vehicles and all the interconnecting telecommunications
services to link tracking and data acquisition network facilities,
mission control facilities, data capture and processing facilities,
industry and university research and laboratory facilities, and
the investigating scientists. The program provides scheduling,
network management and engineering, pre-flight test and verification,
flight system maneuver planning and analysis for selected missions.
The program provides integrated solutions to operational communications
and information management needs common to all NASA strategic
enterprises.
The range of telecommunications systems and services are provided
to conduct mission operations, enable tracking, telemetry, and
command of spacecraft and sub-orbital aeronautical and balloon
research flights. Additionally, services and systems are provided
to facilitate data capture, data processing, and data delivery
for scientific analysis. The program also provides the high speed
computer networking, voice and video conferencing, fax, and other
electronic mail services necessary to administer NASA programs.
These communications functions are provided through the use of
space and ground-based antennas and network systems, mission control
facilities, computational facilities, command management systems,
data capture and telemetry processing systems, and a host of leased
interconnecting systems ranging from phone lines and satellite
links to optical fibers.
The program provides the necessary research and development to
adapt emerging technologies to NASA communications needs. New
coding and modulation techniques, antenna and transponder development,
and automation applications are explored and, based on merit,
demonstrated for application to future communications needs. NASA's
flight programs are supported through the study and coordination
of data standards and communication frequencies to be used in
the future. These are all parts of the strategic approach to providing
the vital communications systems and services common to all NASA
programs and to achieve compatibility with future commercial satellite
systems and services.
Many science and exploration goals require inter-agency or international
cooperation in order to be achieved. NASA's Space Communications
assets are provided through collaborative agreements to other
U.S. Government agencies, commercial space enterprises, and international
cooperative programs. Consistent with the National Space Policy,
NASA will purchase commercially available goods and services to
the fullest extent feasible, and will not conduct activities with
commercial application that preclude or deter commercial space
activities.
The Mission Communications Services program, one part of NASA's
Space Communications program, provides services to a large number
of NASA missions, including planetary and interplanetary missions;
human space flight missions; near-Earth and Earth-orbiting missions;
sub-orbital and aeronautical test flights.
Efforts are ongoing to consolidate and streamline major support contract services in order to optimize space operations. In FY 1996, a voluntary contractor partnership was established between the major incumbents, AlliedSignal Technical Services Corporation and Computer Sciences Corporation. Transition to a Consolidated Space Operations Contract (CSOC) is planned. The CSOC acquisition process will be implemented in two phases. In FY 1997, multiple short-term fixed-price study contracts to develop an Integrated Operations Architecture (IOA) are planned. In FY 1998, a single cost-plus-award-fee, ten-year contract is envisioned to implement the IOA. A full and open competition is planned to develop an integrated architecture and implementation across all NASA programs to produce efficiencies and economies over the life of the contract.
| BASIS OF FY 1998 FUNDING REQUIREMENT (Thousands of Dollars) | FY 1996 | FY 1997 | FY 1998 |
| Deep Space Network - Systems | 102,000 | 92,900 | 80,900 |
| Deep Space Network - Operations | 84,600 | 87,500 | 80,600 |
| Spaceflight Tracking and Data Network - Systems | 6,100 | 2,400 | 3,000 |
| Spaceflight Tracking and Data Network - Operations | 22,200 | 19,300 | 17,100 |
| Aeronautics, Balloons, and Sounding Rockets - Systems | 19,600 | 19,400 | 20,000 |
| Aeronautics, Balloons, and Sounding Rockets - Operations | 25,000 | 24,100 | 23,100 |
| Total | 259,500 | 245,600 | 224,700 |
PROGRAM GOALS
The Ground Networks program goal is to provide high quality, reliable,
cost-effective ground-based tracking, command and data acquisition
systems and services for NASA science and aeronautics programs.
Launch, emergency communications, and landing support for the
STS is also provided by Ground Networks facilities. The program
provides for the implementation, maintenance and operation of
the tracking and communications facilities necessary to fulfill
program goals for the NASA flight projects.
The Ground Network program also supports NASA programs in collaborative
interagency, international, and commercial enterprises and independently
provides support to other national, international and commercial
enterprises on a reimbursable basis.
STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING GOALS
The Ground Networks program is comprised of the following elements:
the Deep Space Network (DSN), managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory
(JPL); the Spaceflight Tracking and Data Network (STDN), managed
by the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC); the Aeronautics, Balloon
and Sounding Rocket (AB&SR) tracking and data acquisition
facilities managed by GSFC/Wallops Flight Facility (WFF); and
the Western Aeronautical Test Range (WATR), managed by the Dryden
Flight Research Center (DFRC).
The AlliedSignal Technical Services Corporation and the Computer
Sciences Corporation are the primary support service contractors
responsible for ongoing engineering and operations of the Ground
Networks. For GSFC, the two contractors established a voluntary
partnership in 1996 for engineering and operations support under
the Consolidated Network and Mission Operations (CNMOS) performance-based
contract.
The number of missions serviced by the DSN facilities and the
needs of the individual missions will increase dramatically over
the next several years. In anticipation of the increases, new
antenna systems have been developed and obsolete systems are being
phased out or converted for alternate uses. The DSN is being reconfigured
with three new 34-meter antenna systems located at Goldstone,
California; Canberra, Australia; and Madrid, Spain. These 34-meter
antennas will enable the expanded coverage requirements and provide
simultaneous coverage of two deep space missions which are in
critical phases. In Goldstone, two new 34-meter antennas became
operational in FY 1995 and FY 1996. In Canberra, one will become
operational in FY 1997. In Madrid, one will become operational
in FY 1998. In addition, two experimental 34-meter antennas were
obtained by NASA at Goldstone from the Army. The first of these
former Army antennas became operational in early FY 1996 and is
currently supporting the European Space Agency (ESA)-NASA collaborative
Infrared Space Observatory and Solar Observatory for Heliospheric
Observations spacecraft. Activities on the second Army antenna
have been deferred due to constrained budget authority.
The DSN installed a new 11-meter antenna system at each DSN complex
to provide data acquisition capability for the Institute of Space
and Astronautical Science (ISAS) Japanese VLBI Space Operation
Program (VSOP) spacecraft, which is scheduled for launch in February
1997.
Other new Ground Networks capabilities include 11-meter antenna
systems at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, and at the WFF
Orbital Tracking Station for use with the Japanese/U.S. Advanced
Earth Orbiting Satellite mission (ADEOS) and other NASA missions.
Two additional 11-meter antenna systems are under contract by
WFF to provide data acquisition capability for the expanded number
of Earth-observing missions. One of these 11-meter antennas will
be installed at Svalbard, Norway, and the other antenna will be
installed near Fairbanks, Alaska.
When required, the Ground Networks program develops new capabilities
to support unique requirements of NASA and NASA Cooperative Science
missions, such as the Galileo S-band Mission Telemetry Array which
utilizes a full-spectrum-recording technique and arrays the signals
received simultaneously at antennas in Australia and California.
The reference frequency transfer for VSOP and the world-wide coverage
provided for ADEOS are other examples of enabling capabilities.
The strategy for achieving the above goals has five major elements:
The following cost reduction initiatives are underway:
MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE
| FY 1996 Plan | FY 1996 Actual | FY 1997 Plan | FY 1997 Revised | FY 1998 Plan | ||
| Deep Space Network | ||||||
| Number of NASA missions | 46 | 46 | 45 | 45 | 45 | |
| Number of hours of service | 73,000 | 73,000 | 93,000 | 90,000 | 92,000 | |
| Spaceflight Tracking and Data Network | ||||||
| Number of STS launches | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | |
| Number of ELV launches | 10 | 26 | 6 | 18 | 6 | |
| Wallops Flight Facility | ||||||
| Number of NASA Earth-Orbiting missions | 30 | 30 | 30 | 33 | 33 | |
| Number of Sounding Rocket deployments | 28 | 22 | 30 | 25 | 25 | |
| Number of Balloon deployments | 22 | 25 | 22 | 26 | 26 | |
| Number of hours of service (Wallops Orbital Tracking) | 31,000 | 26,720 | 31,000 | 23,000 | 26,000 | |
| Western Aeronautical Test Range | ||||||
| Number of NASA missions | 1790 | 967 | 2236 | 1,100 | 1,100 | |
| Number of NASA research flights | 620 | 304 | 780 | 400 | 400 | |
The FY 1997 and FY 1998 increase in DSN hours of service beyond
the plan/actuals for FY 1996 was due to mission coverage for missions
whose launches were delayed from previous years, such as Total
Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS), Fast Auroral Snapshot Explorer
(FAST), and International Solar Terrestrial Physics (ISTP)/Polar.
In addition, the delay in decommissioning DSS-12 provided several
months of available support which had not been anticipated. The
increase in ELV support in FY 1996 and FY 1997 includes commercial
and DOD launches. The changes to the Balloon and Sounding Rockets
mission model plans were driven by customer readiness to launch.
The reduced WFF orbital tracking in FY 1996 and FY 1997 is due
to reduced mission requirements, particularly the International
Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) mission. The decrease in WATR support
is attributed to early success in research programs which made
some flights unnecessary and delays in completing aircraft modifications.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PLANS
In FY 1996, the STS launches were successfully supported through
dedicated facilities of the STDN. The two major requirements for
the STDN are always, without exception, to be available during
the launch countdown sequence so as not to cause a launch hold
condition, and to provide at least 99% of the STS data during
the launch phase. These requirements were met 100% of the time.
The continuation of this support, further enabled by the implementation
of the re-engineered STDN system elements, is expected throughout
FY 1997 and FY 1998.
The Galileo spacecraft reached Jupiter and began its tour of the
Galilean moons. Antennas at the DSN stations in Australia and
the Parkes Radio Telescope will be arrayed with the 70-meter antenna
in California to enable a greater return of Galileo science data
over the next two years. In the area of educational outreach,
NASA is working with the Apple Valley Science and Technology Center
in California to encourage young people to become interested in
Radio Astronomy and space communications. An obsolete 34-meter
antenna at Goldstone, California is being reconfigured as a radio
telescope to become an instrument for education.
WFF completed the installation of an 11-Meter Telemetry Antenna
System at the University of Alaska's Synthetic Aperture Radar
Facility. The system will primarily support the Japanese/U.S.
Advanced Earth Observing Satellite Mission (ADEOS). WFF completed
installation and testing of a Redstone Telemetry system at the
White Sands Missile Range (WSMR). WFF also completed installation
of a Redstone Telemetry System at Poker Flat Research Range. Both
of these units will support sounding rocket launches. A 10-Meter
Telemetry antenna, at the McMurdo Ground Station, became operational
to support the Earth Resources Satellite (ERS) and RADARSAT missions.
A contract was awarded to procure one Low Earth Orbit-Tracking
(LEO-T) system with option to procure additional systems in the
future.
The WATR supported over 1,000 aeronautics missions as well as
all STS missions and Mir operations on a daily basis. Over 350
research flights were supported, many with extended duration (3
to 8 hours). In addition, combined system tests, full mission
simulations, and data playbacks were conducted. Range safety and
space positioning support for long duration, environmental research
platforms and communications and tracking support for hosted programs
(such as DarkStar) were provided. New challenges have been to
post-flight process very high bandwidth data recorded onboard
the Supersonic Laminar Flow Control research aircraft, and to
develop an extended range capability for X-33 testing.
In FY 1997, the DSN will support two launches of the Mars Exploration
Program. The Pathfinder Mission will land in July 1997, and Mars
Global Surveyor (MGS) will begin orbital operations in September
1997. The Galileo Mission continues with the critical part of
the tour, using the DSN array mode. Operational support for the
ADEOS mission will continue. The VSOP spacecraft will launch in
February 1997 and will begin a very complex operational scenario
involving the 11-meter antennas for VSOP telemetry and the DSN
70-meter antennas for co-observing of the radio sources.
Low and sub-orbital flight mission services will be provided by
permanent and transportable tracking facilities. These facilities
will service low-Earth orbit, sounding rocket, and atmospheric
balloon missions. WFF will install 11-meter systems in Svalbard,
Norway and Fairbanks, Alaska, that will provide backup and housekeeping
support to the Earth Observation System (EOS) AM-1 spacecraft
and the Landsat-7 spacecraft. WFF will upgrade the MGS to provide
command uplink and expanded S-Band downlink capabilities. FAST
will be the first NASA mission to use these capabilities. The
first LEO-T system will be installed and tested in Fairbanks,
Alaska where it will initially support SNOE. A second LEO-T will
be placed under contract for future installation at WFF. WFF will
provide downrange ground station support, including telemetry,
command, and radar, for the X-33 project at DFRC.
The Western Aeronautical Test Range will refurbish the DFRC radar
systems; continue replacement of graphic displays in the mission
control center; and overhaul DFRC telemetry antennas. The presentation
of research data in real-time to researchers remote from DFRC
is a key element to future success of the WATR and the research
missions it supports. The "Virtual Flight Research Center"
and "Virtual Control Room" concepts will evolve based
on work already done within the mission control community and
the application of new network technology.
In FY 1998, both Cassini, bound for Saturn, and Lunar Prospector,
a Discovery mission, will launch and be supported by the DSN.
MGS will complete its orbital aerobraking and begin mapping the
planet Mars. In July of 1998, the first of the Deep Space New
Millennium missions will launch. About a month later, the Japanese
Space Agency, ISAS, will launch Planet B, a Mars mission which
will be supported by the DSN on a cooperative basis.
The capability to receive data from several spacecraft in a single
beam will be implemented. This is required because of the number
of missions that will be orbiting on the surface of Mars. This
implementation will allow the DSN to better use the limited number
of antennas that are available.
The aging DSN 34-meter standard antennas at Australia and Spain
will be decommissioned. The support formerly provided by these
antennas will be assumed by the newly constructed 34-meter antennas.
Re-engineering of the DSN network control system is ongoing and
is scheduled for completion in FY 1999. Automated equipment will
enable a single "connection operator" at a Complex to
control the acquisition of data from a spacecraft and deliver
it to a project.
The second LEO-T will be installed and tested at WFF. The modernization of the WFF FPQ-6 radar will be completed and verified. The automation of the Wallops Optical Tracking Station will be completed, tested and validated.
| BASIS OF FY 1998 FUNDING REQUIREMENT (Thousands of Dollars) | FY 1996 | FY 1997 | FY 1998 |
| Mission Control - Systems | 10,800 | 10,500 | 13,400 |
| Mission Control - Operations | 43,200 | 43,700 | 46,500 |
| Data Processing - Systems | 46,800 | 40,400 | 39,700 |
| Data Processing - Operations | 62,000 | 52,500 | 45,400 |
| Total | 162,800 | 147,100 | 145,000 |
PROGRAM GOALS
The Mission Control and Data Systems program goal is to provide
high-quality, reliable, cost-effective mission control and data
processing systems and services for GSFC spaceflight missions;
data processing for NASA's Spacelab program; and flight dynamics
requirements for NASA flight projects. The program provides for
data systems, telecommunications systems technology demonstrations,
and coordination of data standards and communications frequency
allocations for NASA flight systems. The Mission Control and Data
Systems program provides for the implementation, maintenance,
and operation of the mission control and data processing facilities
necessary to ensure the health and safety and the sustained level
of high quality performance of NASA flight systems. In addition,
the program advocates sustaining U.S. economic and technological
leadership in commercial space communications and fostering the
development of the National Information Infrastructure and the
Global Information Infrastructure.
STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING GOALS
The Mission Control and Data Systems program, primarily managed
by the GSFC, is comprised of a diverse set of facilities, systems
and services necessary to support NASA flight projects. The AlliedSignal
Technical Services and Computer Sciences Corporation are the support
service contractors responsible for ongoing engineering support,
development, operations and maintenance, under the Consolidated
Network and Mission Operations (CNMOS) performance based contract,
established as a voluntary partnership in 1996.
The mission control function consists of planning scientific observations
and preparing command sequences for transmission to spacecraft
to control all spacecraft activities. Mission Operation Centers
interface with flight dynamics and communications network facilities
in preparation of command sequences, perform the real-time uplink
of command sequences to the spacecraft systems, and monitor the
spacecraft and instrument telemetry for health, safety, and system
performance. Real-time management of information from spacecraft
systems is crucial for rapid determination of the condition of
the spacecraft and scientific instruments and to prepare commands
in response to emergencies.
Mission control facilities operated and sustained under this program
are Mission Operation Centers (MOC) for the Hubble Space Telescope
(HST) program; the ISTP/Wind, ISTP/Polar, and Solar Observatory
for Heliospheric Observation (SOHO); X-ray Timing Explorer (XTE),
TOMS-Earth Probe (EP) , Solar, Anomalous, and Magnetospheric Particle
Explorer (SAMPEX) and FAST missions, and the Multi-satellite Operations
Control Center (MSOCC) which supports the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory
(CGRO), Upper Atmospheric Research Satellite (UARS), Extreme Ultraviolet
Explorer (EUVE), Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (ERBS), and
International Monitoring Platform (IMP) missions. Data processing
support is provided for ISTP/Geomagnetic Tail (Geotail).
The EUVE and the CGRO system are phasing into a new Transportable
Payload Operations Control Center (TPOCC) architecture of distributed
workstations, first used for the SAMPEX mission. NASA's SAMPEX,
FAST, and Submillimeter Wave Astronomy Satellite (SWAS) missions
will be operated from a common control facility for Small Explorer
missions. The SWAS Mission Operations Center has been completed.
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM), Advanced Composition
Explorer (ACE), Transport and Atmospheric Chemistry near Equator
(TRACE), and Wide Field Infrared Explorer (WIRE) control centers
are in development. These workstation systems will allow for increased
mission control capability at reduced cost.
The first launch of a Medium-class Explorer (MIDEX) is currently
scheduled for November 1999. Approximately one spacecraft per
year will be launched, with potentially every other MIDEX mission
operated from GSFC, dependent on successful Principal Investigator
teaming arrangements. To minimize operations costs, plans for
the MIDEX missions include consolidating the spacecraft operations,
flight dynamics and data processing all into a single multi-mission
control center. The control center system will be used for spacecraft
integration and test, thereby eliminating the need and cost of
spacecraft manufacturers integration and test systems.
GSFC is presently working with the University of California Berkeley
(UCB) to install and test the TPOCC architecture in the EUVE Mission
Operations Center. EUVE operations will be outsourced to UCB in
mid-1997. Other mission control systems include the STS Payload
Operations Control Center (POCC) Interface Facility (SPIF) and
the Command Management System. The STS POCC Interface Facility
was successfully transitioned to the TPOCC architecture in FY
1996. The SPIF provides a single interface to Mission Control
Center for use of spacecraft mission control facilities to access
spacecraft deployed by the STS. The Command Management System
generates command sequences to be used by mission control centers.
A User Planning System, currently being upgraded to a workstation
based environment, is provided for scheduling communications with
spacecraft supported by the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite
System (TDRSS); the Flight-to-Ground Interface Engineering Center
provides flight software pre-flight and in-flight simulation and
development support for GSFC flight systems; and, an Operations
Support Center maintains status records of in-flight NASA systems.
The data processing function captures spacecraft data received
on the ground, verifies the quantity and quality of the data and
prepares data sets ready for scientific analysis. The data processing
facilities perform the first order of processing of spacecraft
data prior to its distribution to science operations centers and
to individual instrument managers and research teams.
Data processing facilities include the Packet Data Processing
(PACOR) facility, the Data Distribution Facility, and the Telemetry
Processing Facility. The PACOR facility utilizes the international
Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems data protocol to
facilitate a standardized method of supporting multiple spacecraft.
PACOR provides a cost-effective means of processing flight data
from the following spacecraft missions: SAMPEX, EUVE, CGRO, SOHO,
SWAS, XTE, TRMM, and HST.
The Data Distribution Facility performs electronic and physical
media distribution of NASA space flight data to the science community.
The Data Distribution Facility has been a pioneer in the use of
Compact Disk-Read Only Memory technology for the distribution
of spacecraft data to a large number of NASA customers.
Specialized data processing services are provided by the Telemetry
Processing Facility for the ISTP missions (Wind, Polar, and Geotail),
and the Spacelab Data Processing Facility, located at the MSFC,
processes data from STS payloads. Specialized telemetry processing
systems for NASA's Space Network are also provided under this
program.
The Mission Control and Data Systems program provides for the
operation, sustainment, and improvement of NASA's Flight Dynamics
Facility (FDF). Funding for the FDF is used to: provide orbit
and attitude determination for operating NASA space flight systems,
including the TDRS and the STS; develop high-level operations
concepts for future space flight systems; modify existing FDF
systems to accommodate future missions; develop mission-unique
attitude software and simulator systems for specific flight systems;
generate star catalogues for general use; and conduct special
studies of future orbit and attitude flight and ground system
applications. It is critical to continuously know the location
of spacecraft so as to communicate with the system and to know
the orientation of the spacecraft to assess spacecraft health
and safety and to perform accurate scientific observations. The
type and level of support required by spacecraft systems is dependent
on the design of its on-board attitude and control systems, including
its maneuver capabilities, and the level of position and pointing
accuracy required of the spacecraft. Automated orbit determination
systems for TDRS and other spacecraft systems are also under development.
Besides the operation of currently deployed spacecraft and the
modification and development of mission control and data processing
systems to accommodate new flight systems, the program also supports
the study of future flight missions and ground system approaches.
Mission control and first-order data processing systems are less
costly systems. Yet, proper economy of mission planning requires
solutions that integrate ground and flight system development
considerations. Special emphasis is given by the Mission Control
and Data Systems program to seeking integrated solutions to spacecraft
and ground systems designs that emphasize spacecraft autonomy;
ease and low cost of operation; reuse of software; and selected
use of advanced technology to increase the return of space flight
system investments at equal or lower cost than is required to
support today's mission systems.
The Mission Control and Data Systems program supports advanced
technology development at GSFC and JPL. The GSFC team, including
contractors and universities, provides advanced technology in
several areas, such as tracking and data acquisition future systems;
communications and telemetry transport; and advanced space systems
for users. The JPL team advances technology in multiple areas
such as spacecraft radio systems development and optical communications
development; communications systems analysis; and flight demonstrations.
The Mission Communication Services advanced technology development
has two forms: near term (1-3 years) demonstration and application
of data management and telecommunications technology and procedures;
and long-range (3-5 years) development of ground and space flight
communications systems. Consideration of innovative applications
of commercial "off-the-shelf" technology is emphasized.
Such applications often open new market opportunities to suppliers
of these technologies resulting from their NASA experience.
A critical element of the Mission Control and Data Systems program
is the securing of adequate frequency spectrum resources which
are required in the performance of all flight missions, piloted
and unpiloted, including spectrum for all active emitters as well
as passive sensors. NASA continues to coordinate frequency spectrum
requirements with other federal agencies, industry and regulatory
bodies to obtain all requisite authorization to operate telecommunications
systems associated with NASA programs. Consistent with its charter
pursuant to both the Space Act of 1958 and the Communications
Satellite Act of 1962, NASA is the primary advocate, both domestically
and internationally, for obtaining the unique frequency spectrum
allocations required by the commercial sector to exploit satellite
technology for future generation telecommunications systems. In
compliance with the 1992 Telecommunications Authorization Act,
NASA actively participates in the Interdepartment Radio Advisory
Committee to establish National and International management policies.
MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE
| FY 1996 Plan | FY 1996 Actual | FY 1997 Plan | FY 1997 Revised | FY 1998 Plan | |
| Number of NASA spacecraft supported by GSFC mission control facilities |
16 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 17 |
| Number of mission control hours of service | 50,000 | 49,000 | 52,000 | 50,000 | 55,000 |
| Number of billions of bits of data processed | 13,500 | 15,500 | 12,000 | 27,000 | 38,000 |
| Number of NASA missions provided flight dynamics services | 34 | 35 | 33 | 32 | 38 |
The current FY 1997 column reflects IUE termination, and ICE solar
occultation. The FY 1998 plan reflects the SWAS, ACE, and TRMM
launches. Increased bits of data processed reflects science instrument
change out on the HST. FY 1998 plan reflects a planned launch
for TRACE and transfer of EUVE to the University of California
at Berkeley. The number of missions provided flight dynamics services
reflects the current mission model and includes pre-Phase A and
Phase A support for missions such as Earth Orbiter (EO)-1, Venus
2000, and Next Generation Space Telescope.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PLANS
In FY 1996, the Mission Control and Data Processing program has
pursued proactive measures to consolidate functions, close marginal
facilities, and reduce overall contractor workforce to reflect
the Agency's goals. Examples include the transition of CGRO and
EUVE MOC operations to TPOCC workstation systems as a step to
MSOCC closure and the installation of HST science processing to
PACOR with attendant closure of the more costly HST Data Capture
Facility.
Mission control was performed for the HST, CGRO, UARS, EUVE, IUE,
SAMPEX, FAST, ICE, IMP-8, ERBS, TOMS-Meteor, TOMS-EP, XTE, ISTP/WIND,
ISTP/POLAR, and ISTP/SOHO. In FY 1996, the XTE, ISTP/POLAR, ISTP/SOHO,
TOMS-EP, and FAST spacecraft were deployed under the control of
GSFC mission control facilities.
Packet data processing operations were provided for the HST, CGRO,
EUVE, SAMPEX, FAST, SOHO, TOMS-EP, and XTE. The Time Division
Multiplexed services were provided for the Geomagnetic Tail, UARS,
ERBS, ICE, IMP-8, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA)-10, POLAR, and WIND. Data processing for the Spacelab missions
was performed at MSFC.
Orbit determination of the TDRS itself was provided, and flight
dynamics services were provided to all NASA space flight missions
that utilize NASA's Space Network and to selected elements of
the Ground Network, including the STS, Expendable Launch Vehicles,
and satellite systems. A new operations concept for flight dynamics
was developed. The new concept defines an approach to reduce flight
dynamics costs by implementing new technology.
Among systems implementation projects in FY 1996, development
of TPOCC systems for the upcoming TRMM and ACE spacecraft continued,
including the procurement of workstations, processors, and software.
TOMS-EP has been integrated into the TOMS mission control center.
Modifications of the Command Management System effecting workstation
deployment to specific MOC's progressed, with CGRO the only residual
mission operating on a reduced configuration IBM mainframe. TPOCC
development for the CGRO and EUVE missions continued in order
to allow closure of the aging MSOCC facility by FY 1998. Preparations
for the Second Servicing Mission for the HST continue with ground
system software changes being made to accommodate the planned
new space systems. FY 1996 marked the initiation of innovative
spacecraft integration and test and mission operation single system
ground support development efforts for both the MIDEX Microwave
Anisropic Probe (MAP) and Small-class Explorer (SMEX) TRACE and
WIRE MOC's.
The spacecraft managed by GSFC's mission control facilities are
supported by various NASA communications networks, including the
TDRSS, the DSN, the WFF, and transportable ground systems. A wide
range of communications and systems interfaces must be managed
to accomplish the function of mission control. NASA mission operations
personnel support the planning and development of future mission
systems and continuous changes to operational spacecraft software
systems, as well as the operation of current ground control systems.
Transfer of data systems technologies to flight project use occurred
in the areas of software reuse, Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI)
applications, expert system monitoring of spacecraft control functions,
and packet data processing systems. Software reuse, expert systems,
VLSI user interface, workstation environments, and object-oriented
language applications continued. The Mission Control and Data
Systems programs will continue to integrate modern technology
into mission operations support systems through the use of systems
like the Generic Spacecraft Analyst Assistant for automation,
software-based telemetry front-end processing systems and the
Mission Operations Planning and Scheduling System, and is exploring
the use of case based reasoning tools.
In support of Advanced Technology Development, planning and implementation
continued on demonstrating optical laser communications between
the ground and an Earth-orbiting spacecraft using the JPL ground
facilities and the Japanese ETS-VI satellite. A contract was placed
for a 4th-generation, lightweight, low-power-consuming radio transponder
for users of the TDRSS.
NASA continues to exercise its responsibilities for space communications
in a cooperative manner with our international partners. We continued
strategic planning panels with ESA and the National Space Development
Agency (Japan) and instituted new relationships with the French
Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales and German Aerospace Research
Establishment organizations. We also established the groundwork
for similar panels with the Russian Space Agency.
Consistent with the National Space Policy calling for the use
of private sector communications systems by the government, initial
steps were taken to identify technologies as well as systems and
programmatic issues relative to the use of commercial assets.
In FY 1996, a detailed sharing assessment was conducted at the
request of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
to examine the feasibility of sharing between NASA Space Science
systems and Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS) systems
near 27.5 GHz. The analysis, which showed the potential for harmful
interference to space science systems, resulted in a decision
by the Federal Communications Commission not to allocate spectrum
below 27.5 GHz for LMDS.
In FY 1997, conversion of CGRO and EUVE to TPOCC systems will
be completed, permitting the closure of the MSOCC facility. Attitude
software and simulator development is being provided for the TRACE,
WIRE, ACE, and TRMM flight systems. Transitioning the FDF to a
workstation environment will be completed in FY 1997. The ACE,
SWAS, and TRMM missions will be supported by GSFC's data processing
program in FY 1997.
Reimbursable support will be provided to seven missions, including
GOES and NOAA programs. Support will begin for ACE and TRMM missions
in FY 1997. Mission planning for future missions such as TRACE,
WIRE, FUSE, Landsat-7, and EOS will be performed.
Advanced technology will continue. The 4th generation TDRSS radio
transponder engineering unit is underway. Work on deep space radio
transponders and data coding technology continues.
FY 1997 will be a transitional year for many aspects of the Mission
Control and Data Systems program. Mission Control and Data Systems
will provide Mission Control Flight Dynamics and Data Processing
service for the SWAS, TRMM and ACE missions scheduled to be launched
in FY 1997. The SAMPEX mission will continue migrating operations
to the University of Maryland at Bowie State, and transition of
EUVE mission operations responsibilities to the University of
California, Berkeley will be completed. Support to ICE will terminate.
Significant development, test, and pre-launch support associated
with MIDEX, and the SMEX missions, are part of the Mission Control
and Data Systems activity.
The ACE and TRMM mission control centers (MCC) will be completed
in FY 1997 and the ACE mission will be added to the data processing
operational workload. Emphasis upon commercial products, artificial
intelligence applications and advanced graphical displays will
be accelerated in FY 1997 for application in MIDEX and future
SMEX missions. NASA's Command Management System is evolving to
workstation-based systems integrated within spacecraft MCC capabilities.
In FY 1997, the HST Second Servicing Mission will be conducted
from the HST control center; and transition to support of the
next series of SMEX missions will begin. Development efforts will
take place in preparation for TRACE, WIRE, and MIDEX missions.
Efforts will continue for the FY 1997 HST Servicing Mission.
In FY 1997, the Mission Operations and Data Systems program will
focus efforts at re-engineering selected ISTP/Wind, Polar, SOHO,
and IMP ground elements to achieve dramatic reductions in recurring
operations costs, enabling continued science operations beyond
current termination dates. To promote operations automation in
FY 1997, Mission Control and Data Systems will intensify development
efforts on the XTE and EUVE Automated POCC (APOCC) and the CGRO
Reduced Operations by Optimizing Tasks and Technologies effort.
Automation will be provided for TRACE to promote single shift
staffing for operations. Mission Control and Data Systems will
actively lead and participate in establishing Renaissance directions
and rapid prototyping, exploring system autonomy concepts, and
use of commercial-off-the-shelf products.
Mission Control and Data Systems program will continue the lead
in scoping and prototyping Mission Operations Control Architecture
(MOCA) elements such as: the use of Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol or Space Communications Protocol Standards for ground
and flight communications; the use of knowledge-based control
languages; ground and space autonomy; and active participation
in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Spacecraft
Control Working Group to infuse emerging operations standards
in the areas of satellite control. Exploration of the promise
of advanced communications technologies will continue throughout
this period.
In FY 1998, TRACE development will be completed, the MSOCC system
will be closed, and the EUVE control center support will be completely
transitioned to the University of California at Berkeley. Developments
will continue for the MIDEX and SMEX series as well as for the
Earth Orbiter (EO)-1 mission. Development efforts on WIRE, MAP,
Imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE),
EO-1, and similar missions will realize benefits from modern technology,
commercial products, and more cost-effective processes (for example,
a single system to perform spacecraft integration and test and
mission operations; skunkworks development teams; etc.).
A new Flight Dynamics Facility (FDF) operations concept to perform
routine operations as integral functions within mission control
centers will be fully implemented in FY 1998. Portable (capability
to operate anywhere) FDF support systems will be developed to
facilitate distributed operations. The systems will offer options
for customer operations, integrated operations and central operations.
New technology development for autonomous space and/or ground
spacecraft navigation and control will be major efforts.
In FY 1997, the space communications NASA/Industry/Academia alliance
will be established. An industry workshop will be conducted by
May 1997 to define technologies for NASA mission use. Studies
will be initiated and databases created to explore the ability
of emerging commercial assets to satisfy a portion of the Agency's
communications needs. In FY 1997 and continuing through FY 1999,
the alliance will become the primary vehicle for collaboratively
developing pre-competitive technologies and conducting service
enabling demonstrations of mutual benefit to the industry and
NASA.
NASA and DoD continue to conduct joint technology projects in
three key areas: more efficient use of the radio frequency spectrum;
standardization of link and upper-level communications protocols
for greater interoperability; and, miniaturization of global positioning
satellite receivers for small satellite utilization. Efficient
modulation techniques, with better than a 10-to-1 reduction in
bandwidth requirement over present modulation techniques, will
continue to be analyzed with follow up implementation of the most
promising theoretical concepts. The seamless interface of space
links with ground network fiber-optic stems will be analyzed and
demonstrated by continuing the Space Communications Protocol Standards
(SCPS) project. In addition, the evolution of link protocols to
allow greater flexibility and demonstrations of upper level protocols
to achieve improved interoperability and seamless communications
between ground and space networks, will be initiated using the
Mission Operations Control Architecture test bed. The use of onboard
GPS receivers for navigation of small spacecrafts will require
additional technology in miniaturization of current GPS receivers.
NASA and DoD will continue to conduct joint design and evaluation
projects for this purpose.
Work will continue on identifying future World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC) topics including advocating spectrum for space-to-space use of the Global Positioning Satellite network. The Spectrum program will support and advocate NASA's interest in WRC-97 and WRC-99.
| BASIS OF FY 1998 FUNDING REQUIREMENT (Thousands of Dollars) | FY 1996 | FY 1997 | FY 1998 |
| Space Network Customer Services | 27,200 | 25,900 | 31,100 |
PROGRAM GOALS
The Space Network Customer Service program goal is to provide
high quality, reliable, cost-effective customer access to the
multi-mission space telecommunications network serving all TDRS-compatible
Earth orbiting and suborbital flight missions and to provide network
control and scheduling services to customers of both the Space
Network and selected Ground Networks elements.
STRATEGY FOR ACHIEVING GOALS
This program develops and maintains both the management and technical
interfaces for customers of the Space Network. The Network Control
Center (NCC), located at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland,
is the primary interface for all customer missions. The primary
function of the NCC is to provide scheduling for customer mission
services. In addition the NCC generates and transmits configuration
control messages to the network's ground terminals and TDRS satellites
and provides fault isolation services for the network. The Customer
Services program also provides comprehensive mission planning,
user communications systems analysis, mission analysis, network
loading analysis, and other customer services and tests to insure
network readiness and technical compatibility for in-flight communications.
The AlliedSignal Technical Services Corporation and the Computer
Sciences Corporation are the primary support service contractors
responsible for systems engineering, software development and
maintenance, operations, and analytical services. The two contractors
established a voluntary partnership in 1996 for these services
under the CNMOS performance based contract.
The Customer Services program also undertakes network adaptations to meet specific user needs and provides assistance to test and demonstrate emerging technologies and communications techniques. A low power, portable transmit/receive terminal, called Portcom, which operates with TDRS spacecraft has been demonstrated. Potential applications include data collection from remote sites where commercial capabilities do not exist, such as NOAA ocean research buoys and National Science Foundation (NSF) Antarctic activities. A series of tests are being conducted with Japanese and European satellites and data acquisition systems. These will explore interoperability of the NASA Space Network and the National Space Development Agency (Japan) (NASDA)/ESA communications systems for mutual provision of emergency operational spacecraft support.
MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE
| FY 1996 Plan | FY 1996 Actual | FY 1997 Plan | FY 1997 Revised | FY 1998 Plan | |
| Number of NASA spacecraft events supported by the NCC | 60,800 | 60,800 | 59,400 | 61,000 | 74,400 |
The FY 1996 and FY 1997 number of NASA Spacecraft events supported
by the NCC will remain fairly stable until the FY 1998 additions
for support of Landsat-7, EOS AM-1, and Space Station assembly
activities.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND PLANS
In FY 1996, implementation was continued on an improved, distributed
architecture for the NCC. When completed, this modification will
provide more efficient use of the network capabilities, improved
ability to resolve scheduling conflicts among customer missions,
and provide standard commercial protocols for both internal and
customer interfaces. This architectural change will be undertaken
over several years and accomplished segment by segment. The segment
of the control center to be modified first is the service scheduling
system.
Studies have been conducted on the establishment of a more robust
remote terminal capable of full service provision to users in
the TDRS zone of exclusion. The implementation of a full service
remote terminal on Guam began with the approved FY 1995 Operating
Plan reprogramming action late in FY 1996. This terminal will
eventually replace the current, less capable terminal located
in Australia. This remote terminal has already proven invaluable
in boosting the scientific return from the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory.
In FY 1997, NCC modifications to the scheduling system will continue
including incorporation of standard commercial protocols into
the control center interfaces. The development of a compact transponder,
using new technology, suitable for use by new, small satellites
will be continued. This dual award procurement will provide engineering
models and a small number of flight units from both Cincinnati
Electronics and Motorola. These small satellite transponders expand
Space Network/TDRS use to a new class of missions. Antenna systems
technology development for the smaller satellite class spacecraft
will be initiated.
In FY 1998, the Space Network Customer Services program will provide
for continued operations, maintenance, and modification of the
NCC. The scheduling system modification will be completed and
become operational. The communication and control segment modification
effort will be initiated. This segment modification will complete
the distributed architecture modifications and lower the life
cycle cost of the Network Control Center.
The requested funding also provides for continuation of mission
planning, customer requirements definition and documentation,
mission and network operational analyses, customer communications
systems analyses, test coordination and conduct, and other customer
support services. An interoperability demonstration with the TRMM
spacecraft and a Japanese data relay satellite precursor, Communications
and Broadcasting Engineering Test Satellite (COMETS), will be
conducted. Compatibility testing will be planned for TRMM, Landsat-7,
EOS PM-1, International Space Station, WIRE, and upcoming NOAA
missions in FY 1998. Simulations, engineering tests, and data
flows will be conducted to verify communications designs and train
mission control operators.