Defense Satellite Communications System
The Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS)[1] provides the United States with military communications to support globally distributed military users. DSCS will be replaced by the Wideband Global SATCOM system. A total of 14 DSCS III satellites were launched between the early 1980s and 2003. Two satellites were launched aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis in 1985 during STS-51J. According to the USAF, in early 2008 most of the satellites were still working.
Contents |
[edit] Background
DSCS went though three major phases. Since the first launch, DSCS has been the "workhorse" of military satellite communications. DSCS III satellites currently exceed their 10-year design life.
[edit] DSCS II
DSCS II provided secure voice and data communications for the U.S. military. The program was managed by the Defense Communications Agency (DCA), now the Defense Information Systems Agency.
The space vehicles were spin stabilized with a de-spun antenna platform. The body was mounted with solar cells which produced 535 watts. Three NiCd batteries provided electrical power and it was supported by a hydrazine propulsion subsystem.
The communications payload included two 20-watt X-band channels. The transponders were supported by steerable narrow beam antennas and drive mechanism for communications privacy.
[edit] Photo gallery
-
DSCS-2 diagram
-
DSCS-3 diagram
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Burroughs, William E. (- paperback) [1986]. Deep Black. New York: Berkley Publishing Group. pp. p187. ISBN 0-425-10879-1.
[edit] External links
- Lockheed Martin's Page on DSCS
- Federation of American Scientists - DSCS 3
- U.S. Air Force MILSATCOM - DSCS
- NASA JPL - DSCS
- Air Force - DSCS III
- NASA's National Space Science Data Center (NSSDC) - Master Catalog - Spacecraft Query
