From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Transformational Satellite Communications System (TSAT) program is a United States Department of Defense (DOD) program sponsored by the U.S. Air Force for a secure, high-capacity global communications network serving the DOD, NASA and the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC). It is an enabler of net-centric warfare that will facilitate defense and intelligence professionals in making rapid decisions based on integrated, comprehensive information.

Contents 1 Scope 2 Capabilities and Services 3 Chronology 4 References 5 See also

The TSAT System will provide DOD with high data rate Military Satellite Communications (MILSATCOM) and Internet-like services as defined in the Transformational Communications Architecture (TCA). TSAT is key to global net-centric operations. As the spaceborne element of the Global Information Grid (GIG), it will extend the GIG to users without terrestrial connections providing improved connectivity and data transfer capability, vastly improving satellite communications for the warfighter. TSAT will ultimately replace the DoD’s current satellite systems.

TSAT will provide orbit-to-ground communications through its 5 satellite constellation and will deliver improvements in interoperability, capacity, availability, security and speed. TSAT’s total worldwide capacity will be 28.5 Gbps to support a broad range of users.

TSAT includes satellite resources, satellite operation centers, mission operations systems and ground gateways which will create an Internet-like transport architecture between GIG nodes. The full GIG implementation means every asset in a battlespace would be addressable and capable of generating, processing or routing information.

TSAT's Internet Protocol (IP) routing will connect thousands of users through networks rather than limited point-to-point connections. Additionally, TSAT will enable high data rate connections to Space and Airborne Intellligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (SISR, AISR) platforms.

In order to ensure interoperability with the GIG integrated architecture, the TSAT program will participate in the GIG end-to-end test bed and systems engineering activities. TSAT will interoperate with elements of the net-centric GIG including, but are not limited to, Information Assurance, Network Operations and Information Dissemination Management.

An Interim Program Review was held 22 October 2004; the Milestone Decision Authority (MDA) directed the TSAT program to continue as planned to achieve the delivery, launch, and on-orbit checkout of the first TSAT satellite.

In June 2003, the acquisition strategy for TSAT was approved, as stated in the FY05 PB justification.

On 20 January 2004, the TSAT program entered Phase B, Risk Reduction and Design Development. Phase B space segment contracts (Cost Plus, Fixed Fee) were awarded to Lockheed Martin and Boeing in late Jan 04. A $300M FY05 Congressional reduction resulted in a first launch delay from FY12 to FY13. In response to the Congressional reduction, the Air Force adjusted the FY06/07 budget.

On January 27, 2006 TSAT Mission Operations System (TMOS) segment development contract, worth US$2+ Billion was awarded to Lockheed Martin.

In late FY07 the results of a full and open competition to select the final space segment development contractor will be announced.

FY07 will verify with subsystem hardware testing in a space-like environment, that technologies are mature. If a technology fails to mature, less-capable technology off-ramps exist and can be used to preserve schedule. Even the technology off-ramps will significantly enhance warfighter capabilities, and the advanced technology can be spiraled into a later spacecraft. First launch is scheduled for 2QFY13.

• U.S. Air Force TSAT
• Global Security TSAT

• Department of Defense Architecture Framework
• DoD Joint Technical Framework version 6.0
• DoD Business Enterprise Architecture
• Global Information Grid-Enterprise Services initiative
• Department Of Defense Directive (DoDD) 8100.01 "Global Information Grid - Overarching Policy", September 2002
• JTF-Global Network Operations
• Global Information Grid