TSAT Network Design Review Milestone Reached

Published Jan. 3, 2007
By SMC Public Afairs

Los Angeles Air Force Base -- The MILSATCOM Systems Wing, Space and Missile Systems Center announced today that the Transformational Satellite (TSAT) Mission Operations System (TMOS) program office successfully completed on December 20, 2006 an in-depth review of the TSAT Network Architecture during a two-day Network Design Review.

This review, led by Lockheed Martin IS&S, San Jose, Calif., as the TMOS prime contractor and lead for TSAT Network Architecture development, culminated the first major step of network design in preparation for the TSAT System Design Review in April 2007 and subsequent release of the TSAT Space Segment Request for Proposals. This successful review illustrated significant strides in network architecture maturity and provided a solid foundation on which to solicit proposals and award the forthcoming Space Segment contract.

"The Network Design Review clearly indicated that we have substantially lowered overall program risk through the design maturation of core system functionality and establishing a baseline with which to enter the TSAT preliminary design phase." said Mr. Joseph Vanderpoorten, TMOS Program Manager.

TSAT Network architecture design is a joint activity across the TSAT program's three segments: TMOS, TSAT Space Segment, and Terminal Segment. The Space Segment is currently in a competitive risk-reduction system definition phase with two competing prime contractor teams: Lockheed Martin/Northrop Grumman and Boeing. Booz Allen Hamilton is on contract as the lead system engineer and integrator. All TSAT segments, peer-networks, and user communities were represented at this review event.

The TSAT system, to be comprised of five geo-synchronous satellites, will transform DoD communications by providing net-centric communication to warfighters and decision makers virtually anywhere on the globe. The TSAT network architecture realizes the DoD vision for transformation and net-centricity by providing the space portion of the Global Information Grid (GIG).

The TSAT network will provide robust, seamless, survivable connectivity between commanders and warfighters on-the-move in theatre and reliable connectivity back to commanders and resources located in the continental United States.

All TSAT network services will be provided in compliance with DoD-wide GIG network interoperability guidance to ensure seamless end-to-end interoperability for all GIG users. The first TSAT satellite is projected to launch in 2015.

Defense’s Global Information Grid