The next phase of Nasa’s space network ground segment sustainment (SGSS) programme, Increment A4, has been successfully completed by a team led by General Dynamics (GD).
This phase included implementation, integration and testing of Increment A4, which includes the ground antenna and associated control systems that are housed in a space network operations centre.
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General Dynamics mission systems space and intelligence systems vice-president Manny Mora said: "This milestone, combined with programme achievements earlier this year, means that more than 80% of the new software needed to bring SGSS online in 2017 is complete.
"The General Dynamics team continues to work closely with its Nasa partners to drive these programme schedule achievements."
Work on the next phase was carried out at GD’s SGSS development and test laboratory in Scottsdale, Arizona and Nasa facilities in Greenbelt, Pasadena and California.
The team at GD also demonstrated Increment A4’s capability to manoeuvre a simulated tracking and data relay system satellite.
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By GlobalDataNasa expects to modernise the infrastructure in order to facilitate space-to-ground telecommunication and monitoring of its missions in Earth orbit or near Earth.
Along with Increment A4, GD finished the work of final acceptance testing of the narrowband and wideband modems used to send and receive space information to and from the ground to the satellite.
The company also delivered telemetry, tracking and control software that manages flight operations aboard all three generations of tracking and data relay satellite system (TDRSS) satellites.
The Increment A5 phase of SGSS development programme will focus on operator interfaces in mission operation centres and is scheduled for next year. The final increment is A6, which is on track for completion by next year.
