CAMMO_VTS_Industry_Day_2014_Script.pdf

The AFSCN OPS Floor – DO/DOO

1. (Stand at entrance to Ops Floor, just on the inside of door). This is the 21 SOPS/VTS AFSCN Ops Floor, where we perform telemetry, tracking, and commanding functions for over 170 satellites in support of more than 10 DOD and national organizations. In addition, VTS provides pre-launch satellite compatibility testing and countdown and liftoff operations in support of the Western Range. The contractor runs this Ops Floor with some COMM support from the host base.

2. (Point to COMM Racks). These are the communications racks that contain the WANIUs, networking equipment, Crypto units and ESD (Electronic Schedule Dissemination) equipment.

3. (Move to ALPS Rack). In the back corner is the ALPS (AFSCN Link Protection System), which is a 50 SW Defensive Counter Space initiative to protect on-orbit satellites by providing both detection and direction finding (azimuth only) capabilities remotely located at all existing AFSCN RTSs. In short, the system detects both accidental and malicious frequency interference. The contractor performs Level 1 maintenance on this system.

4. (Move to ARTS Terminal). Next, we have the ARTS (Automated Remote Tracking Station) terminal. The ARTS terminal is the older of the two tracking systems and uses 1980s technology to track satellites and provide a communications link from the space vehicle to the operator for remote satellite operations.

The ARTS Operator gets the satellite support schedule here, inputs it into the system, and works with the satellite operator to establish the link at the appropriate time.

5. (Move to RBC Terminal). Last, the RBC ([Remote Tracking Station] Block Change) is the newer of the two systems and uses less hardware, more software for operations. The system is much smaller and more automated, and is designed to work without inputs from an RBC Operator. Though this feature has not yet been fully implemented, it is a future goal.

6. (Move to SCR Area). This is the SCR (Senior Contractor Representative) Dais, which is where the lead contractor on crew runs the Ops Floor. From here, they can see the satellite schedule, monitor the site’s power, keep track of outages and job statuses and keep in touch with the rest of the network.

BNOC - DO/DOO

1. This is the AFSCN Backup Network Operations Center, which provides satellite support scheduling for all AFSCN tracking stations and supported Satellite Operations Centers, Mission Control Centers and other users. It is a backup to the primary location at Schriever AFB operated by 22 SOPS, and is a “hot” backup, meaning it accesses the same real-time electronic schedule as the one at the primary site. Some of the networking equipment that links the two sites and provides the live schedule to customers is located on the AFSCN Ops Floor next door.

2. (Point to OA Area). In this corner is where the Orbital Analysis terminals are located. The contractor provides this function and maintains the workstations. OA tells the schedulers where the satellites are so that they can schedule which RTS to use at any given time.

3. (Move to ESD 2.7 Terminals). The scheduling function is performed by the Electronic Scheduling Dissemination (ESD) software and hardware. These terminals are the current version of ESD (v2.7), and they are maintained by the contractor.

4. (Move to ESD 3.0 Terminals). The ESD 2.7 terminals will be phased out and replaced by the new version, ESD 3.0, which is in the process of being installed and tested. The new terminals have been installed here and validation is still in progress.

BSOC –V - DO/DOO

This is the Backup Satellite Operations Center for 3 and 4 SOPS. 3 SOPS operates the bus for DSCS (Defense Satellite Communications System) and WGS (Wideband Global SATCOM) satellites; 4 SOPS operates the bus and payload for Milstar and AEHF (Advanced Extremely High Frequency) satellites (along with 148 SOPS). Although Milstar/AEHF does have dedicated tracking antennas, they also use AFSCN. The Contractor only maintains the ESD and DCC (Distributed Communications Controller) Terminals that allow the space operators to have access to the satellite schedule and the AFSCN link.

(Point out ESD and DCC Terminals)

GPS/AMCS – DO/DOO

This is the GPS Alternate Master Control Station, which is a backup for the primary location at Schriever AFB. 2 SOPS operates the GPS constellation. Although GPS does have dedicated tracking antennas, they also use AFSCN. The Contractor only maintains the ESD and DCC (Distributed Communications Controller) Terminals that allow the space operators to have access to the satellite schedule and the AFSCN link.

(Point out ESD and DCC Terminals)

SRC-V (SET-4) antenna- DO/DOO

This is the SRC-V antenna (also known as SET-4), which is a special mission antenna for NOPS (NRO [National Reconnaissance Office] Operations Squadron). The Contractor performs corrective maintenance and reports outages to support techs as required.

RBC Antenna - DO/DOO

1. (Move to antenna interior). This is the RBC antenna that is connected to the RBC equipment on the AFSCN Ops Floor; it is a 3-axis antenna made by Datron. It has a high power uplink and a low power uplink (for range testing) and its power output is 1mW to 5KW. The radome is inflatable and the antenna has a Payload Test Integration Facility Enhancement for satellite testing on the launch vehicle prior to launch. The contractor maintains this antenna and radome, with the exception of some depot maintenance performed by techs from Hill AFB.

2. (Move to Blowers). These are the blowers that inflate the radome (four in total). The contractor is responsible for first level maintenance on this equipment.

3. (Move to HPA Room). This is the High Power Amplifier Room, which is where the final satellite signal is given enough power to reach the space vehicle. There are three banks of HPAs, which are maintained by the contractor.

ARTS Antenna - DO/DOO

1. (Move to Antenna interior). This is the ARTS antenna that is connected to the ARTS equipment on the AFSCN Ops Floor. It has a high power uplink and a low power uplink (for range testing) and its power output is 1mW to 1.6KW. The radome is made of fiberglass and aluminum and the antenna has a Payload Test Integration Facility Enhancement for satellite testing on the launch vehicle prior to launch.

The contractor maintains this antenna and radome, with the exception of some depot maintenance performed by techs from Hill AFB.

2. (Move to HPA Room). This is the High Power Amplifier Room, which is where the final satellite signal is given enough power to reach the space vehicle. The HPAs are maintained by the contractor.

148th SOPS – DO/DOO

This is the 148 SOPS Milstar Operations Center. 148 SOPS is a California Air National Guard Unit that operates the Milstar/AEHF constellation with 4 SOPS. Their Ops Floor is 24/7 and they operate the Milstar/AEHF satellite payload, whereas 4 SOPS operates the bus. They have their own AEHF antenna, located in the middle of the site and do not connect to the AFSCN with their equipment. The contractor only provides facility maintenance, power and HVAC for this unit.

DAP UPS – DO/DOO

This is the DAP UPS (Data Acquisition and Processing Uninterruptable Power Supply) Building, which houses the battery backups for the facilities on site. There are 2 battery banks, which ensure a smooth transition from commercial power to facility generators. They provide the site a minimum of 15 minutes of power, but will support the site for a couple of hours. The contractor is responsible for first responder support, ensuring the batteries function as required and ensuring Civil Engineering (Power Production) is notified if they fail to work properly. There is a remote monitoring panel on the AFSCN Ops Floor that the contractor utilizes to monitor status.

Supply/Logistics/Site Support – DO/DOO

1. This is the Supply/Logistics area for the site; this room is where parts, supplies and test equipment are kept. The contractor maintains this area. (Point to Supply Desk). This is the supply desk where site personnel can request parts, supplies and test equipment from the logistician. This is also where all logistics records and admin work is performed.

2. (Move to TMDE/Office Supply Area). This is the test equipment area and the ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) workbench area. The contractor maintains the ESD Bench and schedules calibration of the test equipment with the base lab. The contractor also maintains general office supply and consumables levels.

3. (Move to Forward Supply/Bench Stock Area). The contractor maintains the site’s supply account, which contains spare parts to maintain mission systems such as ARTS and RBC. This account is monitored by 50 SW, who gives authorization to consume (use) spare parts. The contractor also maintains the Bench Stock, which has consumable items kept on-hand to increase mission support.

4. In addition to this logistics area, the site also has additional storage rooms, a warehouse, a tool shed and various government vehicles including small electric and gas powered utility vehicles and power tools. The contractor is responsible for these areas also.