Space Tracks - 2000 01

Magazine Overview

Title: SPACE TRACKS
Issue: January 2000
Publisher: Naval Space Command
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of SPACE TRACKS, a bulletin from the Naval Space Command, focuses on naval space issues and initiatives, with a strong emphasis on enhancing military capabilities in space. The January 2000 edition covers advancements in satellite technology, space surveillance, and preparedness for environmental challenges in space.

Key Articles and Features

Navy Communications Satellite Successfully Launched

This article details the successful launch of the U.S. Navy's tenth UHF Follow-On (UHF F/O) communications satellite on November 23rd from Cape Canaveral. The satellite, weighing 7,066 pounds, was placed into an intermediate transfer orbit by an Atlas IIA launch vehicle. Following orbital maneuvers, it was positioned in geosynchronous orbit over the Indian Ocean. The Navy Communications Satellite Program Office (PMW 146) of SPAWAR in San Diego is responsible for the procurement of these satellites. The UHF F/O constellation, which replaces the older FLTSATCOM spacecraft, provides ultra-high-frequency (UHF), extremely-high-frequency (EHF), and Global Broadcast Service (GBS) communications to support global naval operations. The article notes that the F10 satellite carries a high-capacity Global Broadcast Service payload, enhancing data transmission capabilities. The constellation currently consists of eight modified Hughes HS-601 satellites and one spare.

Mobile Satellite Services for Naval Use

Authored by Thomas B. Sanford, this piece explores the potential of commercial Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) systems for military missions. While these systems, often operating in low-Earth orbit (LEO), are designed for voice, data, and paging services to small, handheld terminals, they currently fall short of meeting all military requirements for assured access, netted communications, joint interoperability, and global coverage, especially for open-ocean coverage and ground units. The article highlights Iridium as the only current LEO MSS system using crosslinks for global relay. While the Department of Defense is monitoring these commercial capabilities, they are primarily designed for business use, and military adoption would likely require significant, paid-for modifications. For the Navy, shipboard use of MSS is currently limited to search and rescue and emergency evacuation, though shore units might find them useful for connectivity in remote locations.

MUOS Striving to Meet Future Mobile Warfighter SATCOM Requirements

Written by Al Sapp, this article introduces the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS), a planned replacement for the aging UHF F/O satellite constellation, expected to begin showing its age by 2007. Naval Space Command is leading the development of the MUOS Operational Requirements Document (ORD), which will define the requirements for the new system. MUOS is intended to support the dispersed, mobile, and agile fighting force envisioned by Joint Vision 2010, offering a more capable narrowband SATCOM system than UHF F/O while retaining its all-weather and harsh operational environment capabilities. The system is slated for fielding in 2007 and aims to provide true "communications-on-the-move" capability. MUOS will address shortfalls in UHF F/O, such as insufficient capacity, as demand for UHF services is oversubscribed by 250 percent. The article also mentions that four contracts were awarded in November for advanced narrowband system/MUOS concept studies to companies including Hughes Space & Communications Co. and Lockheed Martin Missiles & Space.

Solar Max

This section, featuring articles by Jonathan P. Boers and Lt.Cmdr. Brian K. Baldauf, details the impending "Solar Maximum" and its potential impacts on Earth and space systems. Solar Maximum, the peak of the sun's 11-year activity cycle, is forecast for early 2000. The articles explain how increased solar activity can cause disturbances in the near-Earth environment, including increased drag on satellites, errors in orbit determination, and potential damage to electronic systems. The 1989 Solar Maximum is cited as an example, where intense solar activity caused significant disruptions. Naval Space Command has learned from past events, implementing updated systems like the Naval Mission Processing System (NMPS) to manage observations and orbit updates more efficiently, thereby mitigating the effects of solar storms. The articles also discuss the broader impacts of solar storms, such as ionospheric disruptions affecting communications and navigation systems, radiation hazards to humans, and potential effects on electric power grids and climate.

Navy Enhances Ability to Forecast Potential Collisions in Space

Jonathan P. Boers writes about the significant upgrade to Naval Space Command's space object cataloging capabilities with the implementation of the Special Perturbations Catalog System (SPECS). For nearly 40 years, the command has maintained a catalog of space objects. SPECS, operational since July 1999, dramatically improves the accuracy and sophistication of this catalog, particularly for near-Earth objects. While traditional methods like General Perturbations (GP) provide less precise orbit predictions, SPECS utilizes advanced Special Perturbations (SP) models to predict satellite motion with much higher accuracy, down to within 10 to 100 meters for some objects. This enhanced accuracy is crucial for NASA's International Space Station program, the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), and for the operation of the Navy's "Fence" space surveillance network, which is also being upgraded. SPECS's ability to process thousands of satellites at SP levels of accuracy is a major leap forward.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SPACE TRACKS revolve around the continuous effort by the Naval Space Command to maintain and enhance U.S. military capabilities in space. There is a strong focus on technological advancement, from improved satellite tracking and communication systems to more accurate space object cataloging. The magazine also emphasizes preparedness for space environmental factors, such as solar storms, and the ongoing development of next-generation systems like MUOS to meet future warfighting demands. The editorial stance is clearly one of proactive development and adaptation to ensure naval forces have reliable and advanced space support, underscoring the critical role of space in modern warfare and operations.

Title: SPACE TRACKS
Issue: January 2000
Publisher: Department of the Navy
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of SPACE TRACKS focuses on advancements in space operations technology, Y2K compliance efforts within naval space commands, and significant personnel changes and achievements.

Parallel Processing in Space Operations

The magazine highlights the growing importance of parallel processing in handling the increasing volume of satellite catalog data. Initially, this involved expensive purpose-built machines like the Connection Machine CM-5. However, the technology has evolved to the use of virtual parallel machines (PVM) created from existing networked workstations. PVM software allows a master program to assign tasks to slave processors, significantly reducing processing time for complex calculations.

Two key applications benefiting from this technology are COMBO (Computation of Miss Between Objects) and SAD (Search and Determine).

• COMBO: Used for collision avoidance for the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station (ISS), COMBO has been instrumental in preventing collisions. The Space Shuttle has performed nine maneuvers to avoid cataloged objects in the past year and a half. A parallel COMBO algorithm demonstrated at NAVSPACECOM used up to 22 medium-performance workstations to calculate conjunctions on all U.S. military satellites against cataloged objects for a seven-day period, completing the task in less than an hour.
• SAD: This application is used by orbital analysts at NAVSPACECOM to associate uncorrelated targets (UCTs) and generate possible element sets from UCT observations. Parallel processing is expected to enhance the accuracy of Earth-orbiting satellite catalogs, improving space flight safety and orbital planning.

Naval Satellite Operations Center Completes Y2K Certification

The Naval Satellite Operations Center (NAVSOC) successfully completed a two-year effort to ensure Y2K compliance for its mission-critical systems. The final step involved the installation of the Integrated Satellite Control System (ISCS) version 8.2 software on June 29. This effort involved financial, contracting, software engineering, and satellite operations personnel. To consolidate efforts and reduce costs, Y2K tasks were combined with system changes for the UHF Follow-On (UHF F/O) satellite constellation. Despite delays in the UHF F/O Flight 10 launch, NAVSOC maintained its schedule. The Y2K management process included an Awareness Phase (June 1997), Assessment Phase (December 1997), and Renovation Phase (August 1998). NAVSOC also ensured compliance for FLTSAT EHF package operations centers and the Navy EHF SATCOM Program (NESP). Rear Admiral Thomas E. Zelibor certified ISCS as Y2K-compliant for UHF Follow-On and FLTSAT operations.

High OPTEMPO, Careful Planning And A New Information Network

This article discusses the implementation of a new Command and Control Network (C2 Network) at Naval Space Command (NAVSPACECOM). The C2 Network was designed to leverage existing infrastructure and provide modern, easy-to-use applications for classified and unclassified communication. The network integrates with the legacy system without interrupting OPTEMPO (Operational Tempo). The project, led by Michael Carr and Phong Hyung, involved a complex integration task that was completed without an increase in staffing or budget, and without impacting the command's OPTEMPO. The C2 Network is being prepared to join the Navy/Marine Corps Intranet (N/MCI) by December 2001.

Naval Observatory to Look to the Stars With FAME

The U.S. Naval Observatory's Full-Sky Astrometric Mapping Explorer (FAME) satellite, funded by NASA for a 2004 launch, is designed to be an optical space telescope. FAME will determine the positions, distances, motions, brightness, and colors of approximately 40 million stars. It will also be able to detect giant planets orbiting neighboring stars and measure the amount of dark matter in the Milky Way galaxy. Dr. P. Kenneth Seidelmann, Director of Astrometry at the Naval Observatory, stated that FAME will provide an unprecedented database for stellar astrophysics and will be the most accurate astrometric catalog in history. The satellite uses a solar sail to change its orientation and scans the sky in two directions simultaneously. The Naval Observatory, founded in 1830, is responsible for providing astrometric and timing data to the Navy, DoD, and the public.

News Briefs

• New Chief of Staff Joins Naval Space Command Headquarters: Captain Allen A. Efraimson assumed duties as Chief of Staff in September 1999. He has a background in aviation and has held various command and staff positions.
• Cmdr. Patricia Cole Takes Charge of Fleet Surveillance Support Command: Cmdr. Patricia Cole relieved Cmdr. Kevin Uhrich as commanding officer of FSSC on August 20. Cmdr. Cole has a diverse background in fleet information systems and space operations.
• Community Service Recognized: Fleet Surveillance Support Command (FSSC) received the 1999 Commander Navy Region Mid-Atlantic's Community Service Award for its Personal Excellence Partnership and Environmental Stewardship programs.
• Midshipmen Briefed on Naval Space Ops: Third-Class Midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy visited Naval Space Command and other commands at Dahlgren for a "Joint Week" itinerary.

Work & Leisure

• NAVSPACECOM Salutes People of the Quarter: Awards were presented for July-September 1999 to Petty Officer 1st Class Sean E. Whiteman (Sailor of the Quarter), Petty Officer 2nd Class Lisa A. Munro (Junior Sailor of the Quarter), Teresa P. Watkins (Senior Civilian of the Quarter), and Shirley A. Jones (Civilian of the Quarter).
• Sailors Aid Community in 'Day of Caring': Volunteers from Fleet Surveillance Support Command (FSSC) participated in a "Day of Caring" event sponsored by the local United Way, assisting a first-time homeowner, Michelle Lassiter, with home improvements.
• Civilian Length of Service Awards: Awards were presented for 30, 25, and 20 years of service to Verna Spivey, Winston Chow, Rusty Thoemke, William Walker, Marty McElhinney, and Clinton Watson.

Space Billets

The magazine lists available officer and enlisted billets with space missions, including contact information for detailers and information about Naval Space Command at Dahlgren, Virginia.

Calendar

Listings for upcoming meetings, symposia, courses, and seminars related to space and defense technology, sponsored by organizations like AFCEA and AIAA.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around technological advancements in space operations (parallel processing, new satellite missions), the critical importance of Y2K compliance and network infrastructure for military readiness, and the recognition of personnel achievements and community involvement. The editorial stance appears to be one of highlighting the U.S. Navy's capabilities and contributions in space, emphasizing professionalism, technological innovation, and dedication to mission success. There is a clear focus on the operational aspects of space command and the personnel who support these critical functions.