Space Tracks - 1998 01

Magazine Overview

Title: SPACE TRACKS
Issue: January/February 1998 (Winter 1998)
Publisher: Naval Space Command
Document Type: Magazine

This issue of Space Tracks, a bulletin on naval space issues and initiatives, focuses on the evolving role of space in naval warfare and operations. The cover story, "The High Frontier of Naval Warfare," delves into the Naval Space Reserve Program. Other key articles cover commercial SATCOM requirements for naval support, the logistical and technical support provided for NASA's Cassini mission launch, an exercise report on 'Defending the Korean Peninsula,' and the recognition of the Naval Satellite Operations Center (NAVSOC) for its long service.

The High Frontier of Naval Warfare

This cover story, detailed on page 15, provides an in-depth look at the Naval Space Reserve Program, highlighting its importance in the context of modern naval warfare. The article suggests that forward-deployed naval forces, particularly aircraft carriers, are crucial for maintaining international influence and responding to crises, offering a level of operational freedom not always available to land-based forces.

Communications Requirements Outlined for Industry

Authored by Thomas B. Sanford, this article details a conference hosted by Naval Space Command on October 22, 1997, in Dahlgren, Va. The conference aimed to outline naval requirements for satellite communications (SATCOM) to over 70 commercial companies and 25 government agencies. The goal was to foster a partnership between industry and the Navy to meet future warfighting needs. Cmdr. Austin Boyd emphasized the need for industry to understand critical naval requirements and doctrine. Rear Admiral Patrick D. Moneymaker stressed the Navy's dependence on SATCOM due to its unique basing requirements. Vice Admiral Arthur Cebrowski spoke on 'network centric warfare,' contrasting it with older 'platform centric' approaches and emphasizing speed of command. The article outlines various SATCOM media (Narrowband, Wideband, Protected) and discusses Navy goals for improved SATCOM, including better bandwidth utilization, cost reduction, and enhanced joint dialogue with industry. Lt. Michael P. Finnegan explained how naval communications requirements can be supported by SATCOM systems, noting the Navy's growing need for SATCOM and the potential surge capability of commercial systems.

Threading the 'Space Needle': Cassini Mission Launch Support

Written by Jonathan P. Boers, this piece describes Naval Space Command's assistance to NASA in launching the Cassini deep space probe on October 15, 1997. The mission, costing approximately $3.3 billion and carrying 72 pounds of plutonium, required enhanced safety standards. The primary risk identified after clearing Earth's atmosphere was collision with resident space objects (RSOs). Naval Space Command, along with U.S. Space Command, provided collision avoidance (COLA) calculations using a software application called Caliper. This process involved rectifying predicted orbits for numerous launch times to ensure safe passage. Despite minor pre-launch damage to the Huygens Probe and a 48-hour delay due to technical issues, Cassini was launched on the first safe opportunity, propelled towards Saturn at nearly 20 kilometers per second. The article notes the increasing importance of COLA processing as the catalog of space objects grows.

Defending the Korean Peninsula: Ulchi Focus Lens Exercise Report

Authored by Lt. Clifton Phillips, this report covers the 22nd annual Ulchi Focus Lens (UFL) exercise, held from August 17-29, simulating a North Korean invasion scenario. The exercise involved all military branches, including U.S. Space Command components. Naval Space Command deployed its Joint Space Support Team (JSST) and Naval Space Support Team (NSST) to South Korea to provide space knowledge, procedures, and training. Teams worked with the JSST and CINCUNC/CFC in Seoul, focusing on Tactical Receive Equipment (TRE) and Standard TRE Display (S-TRED) for tactical ballistic missile warning. Other teams supported the Third Marine Air Wing and the Commander Seventh Fleet, emphasizing TRE/S-TRED performance and space applications. The Naval Space Operations Center (NAVSPOC) also increased manning and supported USSPACECOM's Space Operations Center (SPOC).

NAVSOC Earns Meritorious Unit Commendation

This article reports that the Naval Satellite Operations Center (NAVSOC) received the Meritorious Unit Commendation from the Secretary of the Navy. Rear Admiral Patrick D. Moneymaker presented the award, recognizing NAVSOC's 34 years of operation and maintenance of the Navy Navigation Satellite System (TRANSIT), which achieved 100 percent satellite system reliability. NAVSOC performed 107,000 satellite injections and 581,000 tracking passes. The commendation also lauded NAVSOC's development of the Integrated Satellite Control System (ISCS), which saved $19 million and increased operational efficiency. ISCS provided worldwide connectivity for TRANSIT users.

Space Billets

This section lists partial information on officer billets with space missions scheduled to transfer between August 1998 and March 1999. It provides details on subspecialty codes (XX75 for General, XX76 for Operations, XX77 for Engineering) and includes contact information for Naval Space Command enlisted billets at Dahlgren, Virginia.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical and expanding role of space capabilities in modern naval warfare and national security. There is a strong emphasis on the importance of satellite communications (SATCOM) for network-centric warfare, the need for robust space support for deployed forces, and the integration of space operations into military exercises. The magazine highlights the proactive efforts of the Naval Space Command in supporting these initiatives, fostering industry partnerships, and ensuring the readiness of naval forces through advanced space technology and expertise. The editorial stance is clearly pro-space, advocating for its indispensable contribution to naval power projection, crisis response, and maintaining international influence.

SPACE TRACKS Winter 1998 features two primary articles: "Bathymetry from Space: Initiative Reveals Details of the Littoral Battlespace" by Lt. Bobby Pullin, and "The High Frontier of Naval Warfare: The Naval Space Reserve Program" by Lt. Cmdr. Harold Moffitt. The issue also includes sections on "Space Training" and "Commercial Satellite Communications in Navy ... Transitioning from Challenge Athena to "ATS".

Bathymetry from Space: Initiative Reveals Details of the Littoral Battlespace

This article by Lt. Bobby Pullin discusses the importance of accurate bathymetric information for successful amphibious planning and operations. It highlights the Naval Space Command's Quantitative Shoreline Characterization (QSC) program, initiated in 1995, which aims to characterize the near-shore/littoral region of the battlespace. Since current bathymetry data is often outdated or unavailable in denied areas, spectral imagery is presented as a supplementary tool. Bathymetry charts derived from spectral imagery can provide depth information down to approximately 40 meters, though accuracy is degraded in turbid water or areas with submerged vegetation.

The article explains that bathymetry is the measurement of water depths. Past efforts to extract bathymetric information from airborne and spaceborne sensors have had varying degrees of success, influenced by atmospheric conditions, illumination, and bottom surface composition. The QSC software, developed by Naval Space Command, refines this process. Initial BETA products from the QSC software are shown using Landsat imagery of Bimini Island, Bahamas, as a test site. The output includes color-coded depth maps, with specific colors representing different depth ranges (e.g., magenta for 0-0.6 meters, red for 0.6-1.3 meters, brown for greater than 25 meters). The software also assigns depth contours.

Naval Space Command's initial bathymetry capability was command-line intensive. To improve user-friendliness, the capability was integrated into the ERDAS "Imagine" image processing application. Additional features allow for the determination of pixel constituents, water column turbidity, and concentrations of suspended minerals, dissolved organic carbon, and chlorophyll, which help estimate visibility. Future expansions aim to utilize hyperspectral imagery, such as Landsat, for more accurate prediction and identification of depths, turbidity, and bottom surface materials. Beta products are showing promising correlation with ground truth, and validation efforts are underway.

Discussions are ongoing with the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) to determine if they can perform the validation and potentially take over the entire QSC project. The goal is for QSC to transition into the Warfighter Support Center for real-world operations. It may also be incorporated into the Common Spectral MASINT Exploitation Capability, marking a migration from R&D to an operational tool. Future products may include actual depth scales with color representations. The QSC aims to develop a signature library that can be applied to various geographic areas, rather than requiring new training sets for each region.

Commercial Satellite Communications in Navy ... Transitioning from Challenge Athena to "ATS"

This section details the Navy's efforts to enhance afloat telecommunications. Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield highlighted deficiencies in the Navy's ability to receive or transmit large volumes of information at sea. To address this, Navy's Special Project Challenge Athena was conceived to utilize commercial communication satellites for high-data-rate communications, augmenting the secure Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS).

Challenge Athena was developed in three phases. Challenge Athena I tested a receive-only SATCOM terminal on the USS George Washington (CVN-73), achieving data rates of 750 kbps to 1.5 Mbps. Challenge Athena II supported the USS George Washington and President Clinton during a 50th anniversary remembrance of the Normandy invasion with full duplex operations. The current phase, Challenge Athena III, involves USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19), and USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3), providing high-data-rate communications and a "Sailor phone" capability, significantly improving quality of life at sea.

The program has demonstrated the feasibility of high-data-rate telecommunications in a tactical environment, enabling global connectivity and revolutionizing information employment in naval operations. The initial need was to disseminate national primary imagery for tactical air operations, Tomahawk mission planning, and battle damage assessment. Challenge Athena now allows near-real-time imaging data transmission to the theater of operations. The concept originated from a thesis by Cmdr. John Hearing.

The Afloat Telecommunications System (ATS) is the next step, aiming for a totally commercial venture for all naval vessels to provide a robust mix of commercial SATCOM services. ATS will offer significant bandwidth at competitive rates. Studies by SPAWAR, DISA, and the Chief of Naval Operations have defined ATS requirements. The system will accommodate various ship requirements through four types of telecommunications service, categorized by ship capacity and mission restrictions. INMARSAT and C-band SATCOM will be used for personal phone service, with future MSS SATCOM systems also planned. In FY98, 1,500 Iridium phones will be distributed. Navy anticipates significant savings through a "bulk buy" approach with a single contractor managing transponders, terminals, and maintenance.

ATS introduces new capabilities like live two-way video teleconferencing, saving man-hours and message traffic, and improving personal communication between commanders. Video tele-training brings classroom-style instruction to ships. Telemedicine services allow deployed forces to interface with hospitals for complex medical information and instruction, improving health and welfare. Dial-up telephone service provides 24 lines for official use, a significant increase from the previous four to eight lines.

The Naval Space Reserve Program: The High Frontier of Naval Warfare

This article by Lt. Cmdr. Harold Moffitt details the Naval Space Reserve Program (NSRP), emphasizing the critical role of space technology in modern naval warfare. The NSRP, formalized in March 1995, comprises seven individual reserve space units with the mission to provide trained military personnel to augment U.S. Space Command, Naval Space Command, and other agencies. Space-enhanced capabilities are vital for C4I, navigation, environmental/weather, surveillance, and science and technology.

The Navy is a major user of space-derived products for tactical, strategic, and intelligence management. The NSRP aims to provide decisive command and control warfare technology advantage through space warfare professionals who support a broad spectrum of DoD and naval missions, including concept development, systems engineering, and operations. The program emphasizes "seamless integration" and "contributory support."

The article outlines various NSRP units and their specific roles:

• NR NAVSPACECOM 0166: Launched in October 1984, this unit supports Naval Space Command in areas like space support, information systems, and space plans. It has supported numerous "Military Man in Space" (MMIS) experiments and provided real-time mission support from NASA's Shuttle Mission Control Center. It also supports the DoD Manned Space Support Office and has contributed to the U.S. Naval Academy's satellite control ground station and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (SAIL).
• NR NAVSPACECOM 0266: Focuses on naval space operations support, multispectral imagery (MSI) production, and the NAVSPACECOM Operations Center (NAVSPOC). It provides watch support and augments the USSPACECOM's Alternate Space Control Center (ASCC), monitoring over 8,000 objects in Earth orbit and comparing their positions to the Space Shuttle and Mir space station. It also produces MSI from LANDSAT and SPOT satellites for deployed naval forces.
• NR SPAWAR HQ 0366: Provides crisis response and mission contributory support for classified space systems and their ground segments. It is a "joint" reserve unit with Army, Air Force, and Marine members. It supported the Joint Broadcast System (JBS) for Bosnian operations and was awarded the National Intelligence Meritorious Unit Citation.
• NR SPAWAR HQ 0466: Supports acquisition functions for PEO-SCS, SPAWARSYSCOM, and the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Directorate. It plays key roles in developing mission-critical satellite programs like Ultra-High Frequency Follow-On (UFO) and Geodetic/Geophysical Follow-on (GFO). UFO is a critical link for global tactical communications, replacing FLTSATCOM.
• NR SPACE VTU 0566: Provides a cadre of highly qualified senior officer space warfare professionals.
• NR USSPACECOM 0188: Augments USSPACECOM and NORAD command mission requirements, supporting space control, space support, space force enhancement, and space force applications. Personnel support the Space Surveillance Center (SSC), Missile Warning Center (MWC), and Joint Space Intelligence Center (JSIC).
• NR SPAWAR 40 0788: Provides tactical operations support to a local gaining joint command.

The article also mentions the Naval Science & Technology Reserve Program (NSTRP), which supports classified space-related projects at NRL and national agencies. It highlights Naval Reservists who are also NASA astronauts, including Capt. Steve Oswald, Capt. Bill Readdy, Capt. Ken Cockrell, Lt.Cmdr. Kay Hire, Cmdr. Kathy Sullivan, Cmdr. Joe Tanner, Capt. John Phillips, and Lt. Paul Richards.

Space Training

This section lists upcoming classes for FY98 in the Interservice Space Intelligence Operations Course (ISIOC), Interservice Space Intelligence Operations Senior Course (ISIOSC), and Interservice Space Fundamentals Course (ISFC). These courses are offered to military and civilian personnel working with space systems, command and control, and space environments.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the increasing reliance on space technology for modern naval warfare, from bathymetry and intelligence gathering to communication and operational support. The magazine emphasizes the critical role of both active-duty and reserve personnel in leveraging these advanced space capabilities. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting and informing about the Navy's adoption of cutting-edge technologies and the vital contributions of its specialized units, particularly the Naval Space Reserve Program, in maintaining a technological edge in global operations.

Title: SPACE TRACKS
Issue: Winter 1998
Publisher: Naval Space Command
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of SPACE TRACKS, published by the Naval Space Command, focuses on recognizing the achievements and contributions of its personnel. The magazine highlights individuals selected for quarterly awards, recipients of various medals and commendations, and discusses leadership responsibilities in personnel advancement. It also includes a calendar of upcoming meetings, symposia, and courses relevant to the space and defense community.

People in the News

Naval Space Command Honors People of the Quarter

The magazine prominently features the individuals selected as 'People of the Quarter' for July through September 1997.

• Mary P. Ahearn was named Civilian of the Quarter for her work as a training specialist, coordinating enrollment in joint space training courses and managing schedules. She previously worked for Fairfax County Public Schools and joined the Naval Space Surveillance Center in 1988.
• Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas Quackenbush received the Sailor of the Quarter award for his role as leading petty officer for the Information System Branch. His contributions included installing a key backup component, developing procedures to reduce system backup time, and managing new network software and a secure mail guard. He has been assigned to Naval Space Command since January 1995 and has served on various ships and at naval facilities.
• Petty Officer 2nd Class Terry Delaney was selected as Junior Sailor of the Quarter for his efforts as a communications center officer, particularly in coordinating EHF operations and procedures in the Joint Information Processing Center (JIPC). A radioman, he joined the Navy in 1990 and has served on submarines and destroyers.
• James F. Taylor was named ADP Watchstander of the Quarter. His award recognized his analysis of a data circuit malfunction that prevented an outage in the Navy's space surveillance network. Taylor retired in October after over 36 years of federal employment, having worked at various naval facilities since 1961.

Medals & Special Awards

The issue details several significant awards presented to personnel:

• Defense Meritorious Service Medal: Awarded to Rear Admiral Patrick D. Moneymaker for his service as deputy commander for Joint Task Force-Southwest Asia in support of Operation Southern Watch.
• Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medals:
• RMC Steven Sweet was recognized for his work as UHF operations scheduler and leading chief petty officer for the Joint Information Processing Center, coordinating the shutdown and relocation of the GENSER message center and consolidating message centers into the first JIPC. He also managed UHF satellite channels for VIP travel.
• LCDR Barbara S. Kanewske was honored for her role as force enhancement officer and chief of plans for special technical operations, ensuring uninterrupted satellite data delivery and resolving communications interference.
• Joint Service Achievement Medal: Awarded to Lt. Lawrence A. Pemberton, Jr., for his service as flag aide and personal security officer on the command staff for Joint Task Force-Southwest Asia.
• Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medals:
• OS2 Lejon Starks was recognized for his work as a space control mission watchstander, responsible for research, design, and evaluation of lesson plans and testing criteria.
• Lt. Julie M. LaPoint was honored for her role as Atlantic Fleet Space Support Team Leader during Exercise Unified Endeavor 97-1, orchestrating team deployments and evaluating the integration of Space Support Teams.
• OS2 Alberto Guadalupe Jr. was recognized for his role as space warning petty officer and force enhancement petty officer, monitoring space activities and Shuttle flight parameters.
• NATO Medals: Awarded to NCC Frank Demmers, Jr., OS1 Ricky Fortner, IS2 Chuck Taylor, and ET2 Brian Malone.
• Good Conduct Awards: Presented to RMC Michael Brady, CTO1 Brian Cantleberry, RM1 Preston H. Summers, OS2 Marcus Marquez, CTR2 Lisa A. Munro, SK2 Misty A. McLeod, and RM2 Terry D. Delaney.

Special Achievement Award

Harold ("Buddy") Meyers, Jr. received a Special Achievement Award for his service from August 1996 to July 1997. His award cited his effort to review the division's mission and organization, refocus the division for strategic planning, and revitalize its relationship with Fleet CINCs.

Letters of Commendation and Appreciation

The magazine also lists numerous individuals who received Letters of Commendation and Letters of Appreciation for their service and contributions.

From the Master Chief

Advancement ... Now or Never?

Authored by ETCM Alan G. Kinder, this section addresses the challenges faced by Sailors who did not advance on the September examinations. Kinder emphasizes the responsibility of senior enlisted leaders to provide robust and dynamic training programs, including hands-on experience and well-prepared lectures. He stresses the importance of understanding individual Sailor strengths and weaknesses and making every effort to support their advancement. Kinder also highlights the need for senior leaders to set an example by continuously pursuing their own professional development through courses, reading, and learning from naval history. He concludes by reminding Sailors that while the chain of command provides tools and leadership, the ultimate responsibility for advancement rests with the individual Sailor.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly emphasizes the recognition of individual merit and achievement within the Naval Space Command. The extensive listing of awards and honors underscores the command's commitment to acknowledging the hard work and dedication of its personnel across various roles and ranks. The editorial stance, particularly in the 'From the Master Chief' section, highlights a focus on leadership, mentorship, and the importance of continuous self-improvement and professional development for both enlisted personnel and their leaders. The inclusion of a calendar of events suggests an aim to keep the community informed about professional development opportunities and industry gatherings.