Credonia
15-06-2004, 20:37
MILSAT SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
MILSAT is a satellite communications system that provides secure, jam resistant, worldwide communications to meet essential wartime requirements for high priority military users. The multi-satellite constellation links command authorities with a wide variety of resources, including ships, submarines, aircraft and ground stations.
System Features
MILSAT is the most advanced military communications satellite system to date. The MILSAT satellite constellation consists of five satellites positioned around the Earth in geosynchronous orbits. Each mid-latitude satellite weighs approximately 10,000 pounds (4,536 kilograms) and has a design life of 10 years.
Each MILSAT satellite serves as a smart switchboard in space by directing traffic from terminal to terminal anywhere on the Earth. Since the satellite actually processes the communications signal and can link with other MILSAT satellites through crosslinks, the requirement for ground controlled switching is significantly reduced. The satellite establishes, maintains, reconfigures and disassembles required communications circuits as directed by the users. MILSAT terminals provide encrypted voice, data, teletype or facsimile communications. A key goal of MILSAT is to provide interoperable communications among the users of Army, Navy, and Air Force MILSAT terminals.
Geographically dispersed mobile and fixed control stations provide survivable and enduring operational command and control for the MILSAT constellation.
Additional Information
The MILSAT system is composed of three segments: space (the satellites), terminal (the users) and mission control.
General Characteristics
Primary function: Global military communications system
Primary contractor: Credonian Missiles and Space LTD.
Power plant: Solar panels generating 8,000 watts
Weight: About 10,000 pounds (4,536 kilograms)
Orbit altitude: 22,250 nautical miles (geosynchronous orbit)
Payload:
Low data rate communications (voice, data, teletype and facsimile) at 75 bps to 2,400) bps
Medium data rate communications (voice, data, teletype, facsimile) at 4.8 kbps to 1.544 bps
Satellites per system: 5
System Cost: $5 Billion
DEFENSE SUPPORT PROGRAM SATELLITES
Mission
DSP satellites help protect the supporting nationand its allies by detecting missile launches, space launches and nuclear detonations.
Features
DSP satellites use an infrared sensor to detect heat from missile and booster plumes against the earth’s background. Credonian technological advancements were made to ground processing systems, enhancing detection capability of smaller missiles to provide improved warning of attack by short-range missles against forces overseas.
Numerous improvement projects will enabled DSP to provide even more accurate, reliable data in the face of evolving missile threats. On-station sensor reliability has provided uninterrupted service well past their design lifetime. Recent technological improvements in sensor design include above-the-horizon capability for full hemispheric coverage and improved resolution. Increased on-board signal-processing capability improves clutter rejection. Enhanced reliability and survivability improvements were also incorporated. In the 21st century, the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) will replace DSP.
General Characteristics
Primary mission: Strategic and tactical missile launch detection
Contractor team: Credonian Missiles and Space LTD.
Weight: 5,250 pounds (2,386 kilograms)
Orbit altitude: 22,000 miles (35,888 kilometers)
Power plant: Solar arrays generate 1,485 watts
Height: 32.8 feet (10 meters) on orbit; 28 feet (8.5 meters) at launch
Diameter: 22 feet (6.7 meters) on orbit; 13.7 feet (4.2 meters) at launch
Satellites Per System: 10
System Cost: $6 Billion
MILSAT is a satellite communications system that provides secure, jam resistant, worldwide communications to meet essential wartime requirements for high priority military users. The multi-satellite constellation links command authorities with a wide variety of resources, including ships, submarines, aircraft and ground stations.
System Features
MILSAT is the most advanced military communications satellite system to date. The MILSAT satellite constellation consists of five satellites positioned around the Earth in geosynchronous orbits. Each mid-latitude satellite weighs approximately 10,000 pounds (4,536 kilograms) and has a design life of 10 years.
Each MILSAT satellite serves as a smart switchboard in space by directing traffic from terminal to terminal anywhere on the Earth. Since the satellite actually processes the communications signal and can link with other MILSAT satellites through crosslinks, the requirement for ground controlled switching is significantly reduced. The satellite establishes, maintains, reconfigures and disassembles required communications circuits as directed by the users. MILSAT terminals provide encrypted voice, data, teletype or facsimile communications. A key goal of MILSAT is to provide interoperable communications among the users of Army, Navy, and Air Force MILSAT terminals.
Geographically dispersed mobile and fixed control stations provide survivable and enduring operational command and control for the MILSAT constellation.
Additional Information
The MILSAT system is composed of three segments: space (the satellites), terminal (the users) and mission control.
General Characteristics
Primary function: Global military communications system
Primary contractor: Credonian Missiles and Space LTD.
Power plant: Solar panels generating 8,000 watts
Weight: About 10,000 pounds (4,536 kilograms)
Orbit altitude: 22,250 nautical miles (geosynchronous orbit)
Payload:
Low data rate communications (voice, data, teletype and facsimile) at 75 bps to 2,400) bps
Medium data rate communications (voice, data, teletype, facsimile) at 4.8 kbps to 1.544 bps
Satellites per system: 5
System Cost: $5 Billion
DEFENSE SUPPORT PROGRAM SATELLITES
Mission
DSP satellites help protect the supporting nationand its allies by detecting missile launches, space launches and nuclear detonations.
Features
DSP satellites use an infrared sensor to detect heat from missile and booster plumes against the earth’s background. Credonian technological advancements were made to ground processing systems, enhancing detection capability of smaller missiles to provide improved warning of attack by short-range missles against forces overseas.
Numerous improvement projects will enabled DSP to provide even more accurate, reliable data in the face of evolving missile threats. On-station sensor reliability has provided uninterrupted service well past their design lifetime. Recent technological improvements in sensor design include above-the-horizon capability for full hemispheric coverage and improved resolution. Increased on-board signal-processing capability improves clutter rejection. Enhanced reliability and survivability improvements were also incorporated. In the 21st century, the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) will replace DSP.
General Characteristics
Primary mission: Strategic and tactical missile launch detection
Contractor team: Credonian Missiles and Space LTD.
Weight: 5,250 pounds (2,386 kilograms)
Orbit altitude: 22,000 miles (35,888 kilometers)
Power plant: Solar arrays generate 1,485 watts
Height: 32.8 feet (10 meters) on orbit; 28 feet (8.5 meters) at launch
Diameter: 22 feet (6.7 meters) on orbit; 13.7 feet (4.2 meters) at launch
Satellites Per System: 10
System Cost: $6 Billion