[Satellite Today 12-01-08] Alliant Techsystems (ATK) has been awarded a $26.1 million contract by the U.S. Air Force‘s Arnold Engineering Development Center for the design, fabrication, installation and testing of the Space Threat Assessment Testbed (STAT) System, ATK announced Dec. 1. 
    STAT aims to create a realistic space environment to perform developmental and early operational testing of space hardware for the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office and other federal agencies.
    A key feature of STAT is the ability to replicate complex natural space environments simulating Low Earth and Geosynchronous orbits, allowing it to simulate key man-made threats and provide a real-time connection capability that allows for involvement of ground station hardware, software and operators in the test and evaluation process.
    According to ATK, STAT will also lay the foundation for near real-time connectivity to a satellite operations center allowing the U.S. Air Force to perform integrated system testing and training, while also assisting in the development of tactics, techniques, and procedures for future space operations.
    Work on STAT is scheduled for completion in early 2013.