The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).
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(U) Mobile Satellite Service (MSS)

-Description
-Initiatives
-Links
-Impacts
-Requirements
-Lead
-Programmatics
-Categories
-POC
-Images
-Road Map
-Text Version

Overview (U):

(U) The Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) program modifies and installs the government owned commercial gateway to provide personal communications services. MSS also serves to develop and certify hand-held secure terminals compatible with the MSS network. These terminals support secure communications by adding removable approved Communications Security (COMSEC) cards to approved portable terminals. Part of the MSS program provides funding for a DoD owned Iridium gateway. This gateway will permit DoD users to access this 66-satellite-based system which provides any type of telephone transmission (voice, data, fax, and paging) to reach its destination anywhere on earth. This 66-satellite system tracks the location of telephone handsets and provides global transmission capability.


Description (U):

(U) The MSS program modifies and installs the government owned commercial gateway to provide personnel communications services and to develop and certify hand-held secure terminals compatible with the MSS network. Motorola will provide an enhanced IRIDIUM Gateway, STU-III capable lightweight user terminals/handsets, and IRIDIUM service. A transportable MSS gateway will be engineered and delivered by Loral in early FY01. This will include the deployable GLOBALSTAR Gateway, STU-III capable lightweight terminals/handsets, and GLOBALSTAR service.

(U) Beginning in FY02, a follow-on competitive procurement will be initiated to provide upgrades and enhancements to the DoD MSS gateway. Additionally, the competitive procurement allows for additional secure user terminals and service usage. Gateway enhancements include equipment upgrades/replacements, as well as gateway capability expansion to accommodate for DoD system growth.

User Impact (U):

(U) To be supplied.

Programmatics (U):

(U) Operational.

Images (U):

(U) None.

Related Initiatives (U): None.

Related Requirements (U): None.

Related Categories (U):
NameTitle
Leased ServicesLeased Services
This Table Is Unclassified.

Road Map Placements (U):

NameTitle
MILSATCOMSPACE FORCE ENHANCEMENT: MILSATCOM
This Table Is Unclassified.

Requirements, Funding and Additional Hotlinks (U):

(U) None.

Lead Office (U):

DoD.

(U) DoD: OASD(C3I), Pentagon, Washington, DC
(U) Service Staff: Not Available
(U) Major Command: Not Available
(U) Program Management: DISA/D2, Falls Church, VA

Point of Contact (U):

(U) National Security Space Road Map Team, NSSA, Open Phone: (703) 808-6040, DSN 898-6040.

Date Of Information (U):

(U) 01 February 1997



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(U) For comments/suggestions contact: Office of the National Security Space Architect (NSSA), 571-432-1300.

(U) Road Map Production Date: 23 June 2001


The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).