With civil space initiatives being pushed with significant momentum, many projects have passed milestones that are making some industry executives re-evaluate this sector. Recently, Boeing Co. successfully tested a key laser component of the Transformational Satellite Communications (TSAT) system. This netting system involves links from one satellite to another using a laser beam, in a move to help ensure reliable, continuous military communications.

Boeing performed the test using a laser beam in a simulated space environment, in a test performed with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratories. This was the third of four planned laser communication milestone demonstrations, according to Boeing. It tested the Boeing hardware for performance and compatibility with the new government Lasercom Interoperability Standard, as well as performance readiness of the Boeing TSAT optical modems.

The lab rated the free-space optical link operation at speeds up to 40 gigabits per second, permitting broadcast of 3,000 simultaneous high-definition TV channels, or about 15,000 regular TV channels, in each direction, as first reported by our sister publication, Defense Daily. TSAT will provide secure, high capacity networking among U.S. forces worldwide, and to their command, intelligence and support functions at home, according to John Peterson, Boeing TSAT space segment program director.

This is ensured through a 10 to 40 gigabit per second TSAT backbone, he added. Another key element in the TSAT program is the Pointing, Acquisition and Tracking (PAT) subsystem that enables effective use of the Lasercom beam, according to Boeing. PAT provides significant advantages in transmitted power, the company added, using Ball Aerospace & Technology algorithms and beam control technology. Proving this level of performance and maturity at this point in the program signals risk reduction for the later acquisition and operations phase, according to Peterson.

This laser experiment was sponsored by the MILSATCOM Joint Program Office and the National Reconnaissance Office. Boeing and its team are working under a $514 million Air Force contract for the risk reduction system definition phase of the TSAT space segment program. The Air Force plans to select a contractor for the segment in December next year.

Wideband Gapfiller Tests

In addition, Boeing successfully completed two ground tests to verify that its Wideband Gapfiller Satellite (WGS) will be able to operate with its ground control systems once on orbit. "The successful completion of these two tests retires a significant amount of risk for the WGS program and further validates the compatibility of its satellite and ground equipment," Claire Leon, Boeing’s WGS program director, said in a statement. Successful completion of these tests also keeps the first launch of a gapfiller communications satellite on track for 2007, she added.

Boeing is building three WGS spacecraft for the Air Force to replace the current Defense Satellite Communications System constellation, providing greater capacity to transmit large amounts of data to soldiers and sailors on the surface.

The recent tests took place at Boeing’s Satellite Development Center in El Segundo, Calif., with the participation of the company’s industry partners on the WGS program: Universal Space Network (USN) and ITT Industries.

Boeing and USN demonstrated in simulations the compatibility between the satellite’s telemetry, command-and-ranging systems and the WGS ground network, which USN builds. The satellite’s ground network will consist of stations in Hawaii, Alaska and Italy that will be used during transfer orbit operations and initial on-orbit testing, according to Boeing’s statement.