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) Space-Based Range (SBR)

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

Overview (U):

(U) A space based range (SBR) would augment range flexibility and operability, and allow more diverse and demanding space operations in the future. In the future, full access to space from any of the hundreds of large airfields that reusable launch vehicles (RLV) might use requires compatible launch telemetry tracking and control (TT&C) systems, which are not locked into one or two geographic locations. The current air traffic control network for aviation provides a long term answer to this shortfall in range system capability, and the full-time coverage and control that is needed.

Description (U):

(U) A way to achieve this capability (i.e. coverage of launch, on-orbit operations, orbit transfer, rendezvous, docking, tracking of potentially dangerous orbital debris and re-entry) is through a range system consisting of a constellation of satellites. These satellites might provide full coverage of the Earth's surface and orbital environment from LEO to GEO, supplemented by ground based assets at key launch facilities. A Space Based Range system could ensure operable, full-time range services to the entire, future spacelift and operations architecture.

(U) The Air Force is also considering the use of GPS satellites to track space launches. This system would replace the current radar tracking systems.

User Impact (U):

(U) An SBR would add range flexibility and operability, and allow more diverse and demanding space operations in the future.

Programmatics (U):

(U) Concept/Technology.

(U) Organizations and Funding:

Images (U):

(U) None.

Related Initiatives (U):
NameTitle
Space-Based Data RelaySpace-Based Data Relay (SBDR)
This Table Is Unclassified.

Related Requirements (U): None.

Related Categories (U):
NameTitle
AFSCNAir Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN)
Satellite OperationsSatellite Operations
This Table Is Unclassified.

Road Map Placements (U):

NameTitle
SPACE FORCES SUPPORTSPACE FORCES SUPPORT
This Table Is Unclassified.

Requirements, Funding and Additional Hotlinks (U):

Name
AFSCN News
This Table Is Unclassified.

Lead Office (U):

Air Force.

(U) Lead Organization: HQ AFSPC/XP

Point of Contact (U):

(U) Lt Jimmy Dobbs, SMC, Open Phone: DSN 833-2359.

Date Of Information (U):

(U) 21 November 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).