http://www.dsti.net/News/55236.htm
波音的跟蹤與資料中繼衛星專案完成地面系統評審

　　[據波音公司2009年7月28日報導]  波音公司在7月28日宣佈，跟蹤與資料中繼衛星（TDRS）K專案於6月2日至4日在NASA的白沙綜合設施完成了它的地面詳細設計評審（GDDR）。該設計評審的按時完成將有利於在2010年初把TDRS K專案推進到關鍵設計評審階段。
　　
　　GDDR的成功完成是波音公司向建造K至L系列TDRS衛星邁進的關鍵一步，TDRS衛星將為NASA提供與太空梭、哈勃太空望遠鏡、國際空間站和眾多位於地球低軌道的無人科學衛星之間持續的、高資料傳輸率的通信。
　　
　　GDDR是跟隨今年年初的系統級初始設計評審進行的，波音公司、通用動力C4系統公司和NASA合作開發能滿足所有地面系統需求的設計。它評估了專案管理、系統和子系統設計、安全性與任務保障以及地面軟體和硬體設計。
　　
　　評審證明地面系統設計是健全的，並且將準備好為現有和未來的TDRS衛星（包括TDRS H, I 和J）提供支援。TDRS的H至J系列衛星都是由波音建造的。
　　
　　NASA的白沙綜合設施為TDRS衛星和它們的控制與資料處理設備之間提供基本的雙向通信。通用動力公司自從TDRS系統運行以來就為衛星的地面系統提供工程、操作與維護服務。（中國航太工程諮詢中心 謝慧敏）

http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=769
Boeing Tracking and Data Relay Satellite Program Completes Ground System Review

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., July 28, 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] announced today that the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) K program successfully completed its Ground Detailed Design Review (GDDR), held June 2-4 at NASA’s White Sands Complex, N.M. The milestone brings Boeing one step closer to building the K-L series of TDRS satellites, which will give NASA continuous, high-data-rate communications with the space shuttle, the Hubble Space Telescope, the International Space Station and dozens of unmanned scientific satellites in low-Earth orbit.

“The successful design review occurred on schedule and moves us toward the TDRS K program's Critical Design Review early next year, where the finished design will be reviewed one final time before proceeding to spacecraft and ground system integration,” said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems. “We have taken another important step toward enhancing the TDRS fleet with better signal processing and transmission, which will increase NASA’s operational effectiveness in space.”

The GDDR followed the system-level Preliminary Design Review this spring and is the result of an ongoing collaboration among Boeing, teammate General Dynamics C4 Systems and NASA to develop a design that meets all ground system requirements. It evaluated program management, systems and subsystems engineering, safety and mission assurance, and ground software and hardware design.

The review proved that the ground system design is sound and will be ready to support current and future satellites in the TDRS fleet, including TDRS H, I and J, which also were built by Boeing.

NASA’s White Sands Complex provides the primary two-way communications between the TDRS satellites and their control and data-processing facilities. General Dynamics has provided engineering, operations and maintenance of the NASA satellite ground system since the inception of the TDRS system.

http://www.dsti.net/News/55202.htm
美國空軍接收第二顆SBIRS HEO載荷

　　[據美國空軍2009年7月27日報導]  美國空軍27日宣佈，美國空軍從洛馬公司接收了第二顆天基紅外系統（SBIRS）高橢圓軌道（HEO-2）載荷，將之投入運行服務。HEO-2載荷的加入將增加SBIRS的容量，它也成為美國空軍太空司令部（AFSPC）第二個可執行任務的紅外感測器。HEO-1是在2008年11月7日被接收的，它的性能超過了預期。隨著兩個高橢圓軌道載荷的加入，增強的感測器和地面系統可使SBIRS星座提供導彈預警、導彈防禦、戰場空間感知和技術情報。

　　前一階段，SBIRS系統成功完成了雙飛運行效用評估和試用期，在評估中來自兩個HEO載荷的HEO資料與DSP資料接合，被發送到作戰人員的作戰網路中，提供了關鍵的導彈預警和情報資料。今年夏天晚些時候，美國戰略司令部計畫對第二個HEO載荷及其相關的地面處理系統給予認證。

　　美國空軍太空與導彈系統中心的SBIRS聯隊的指揮官表示，SBIRS計畫達到了它的另一個關鍵里程碑，增強了戰士的作戰能力。SBIRS由以前位於地球同步軌道的國防支援系統（DSP)衛星和新的高橢圓軌道感測器組成。SBIRS的下一代地球同步軌道衛星預計在2010年發射。

　　洛馬太空系統公司是SBIRS專案的主承包商，諾格電子系統公司是SBIRS的載荷集成商，美國空軍太空司令部負責SBIRS的運行。

　　洛馬公司SBIRS合同包括現在已經在軌的兩個高橢圓軌道載荷、兩顆地球同步軌道（GEO）衛星，以及地面用來接收和處理紅外資料的資產。洛馬團隊最被授予一份價值15億美元的第三個HEO載荷、第三顆GEO-3衛星以及相關地面資產改進的合同。今年晚些時候，洛馬團隊有望被授予包含第四個HEO載荷和潛在第四顆GEO衛星的合同。（中國航太工程諮詢中心 謝慧敏）

http://www.upi.com/Security_Industry/2009/07/27/Air-Force-accepts-Lockheed-Martins-HEO-2/UPI-39121248717466/
Air Force accepts Lockheed Martin's HEO-2

Published: July 27, 2009 at 1:57 PM
Order reprints

SUNNYVALE, Calif., July 27 (UPI) -- The U.S. Air Force has accepted a second Highly Elliptical Orbit payload and ground system modification from Lockheed Martin.

U.S. company Lockheed Martin announced the second HEO-2 payload and ground system modification for the Space Based Infrared System has been accepted for operations by the Air Force.

The SBIRS missile launch early warning technology is being developed by a Lockheed Martin-led team to support the Air Force with missile defense, technical intelligence and battle-space awareness. The accepted delivery marks a milestone for the HEO system and paves the way for future certification.

"HEO performance continues to be spectacular," Col. Roger Teague, the Air Force SBIRS wing commander, said in a statement.

"We are very proud to add the second HEO payload system to our growing constellation. This asset provides outstanding capabilities to combatant commanders and the excellent performance of this second HEO system is a true testament to the teamwork and dedication by the government and industry team."

http://www.dsti.net/News/55079.htm
美國轉型衛星通信系統（TSAT）之後是什麼

    [據美國defensesystems網站2009年7月21日報導]  美國國防部取消“轉型衛星通信系統”（TSAT）計畫後，衛星通信供應商正在推介其新型航天器，將之視為國防部高速、寬頻通信需求的可能解決方案。
　　
　　ViaSat公司準備在2011年發射首顆衛星ViaSat-1，可為美國提供高速網際網路服務。ViaSat-1將以100吉比特/秒的速度傳輸，是其他衛星傳輸速度的10倍。ViaSat準備服務於美國國防部。
　　
　　國防部長蓋茨宣佈建議取消TSAT計畫後，若干合同已經終止。 空軍最初打算耗資260億美元打造一個五星星座，並且已經為計畫的一個三年週期投資25億美元。計畫取消時，首顆衛星發射日期已經從2015年推遲到2019年。
　　
　　國防部提出租用商業衛星服務滿足某些戰場通信需求。不過，像ViaSat-1這樣的商業衛星缺少可靠性、抗干擾以及安全通信能力，而這些特性是TSAT衛星準備在發生核攻擊或其他嚴重的國家突發事件時，提供給總統及高級軍事領導人員使用的。　　
　　
　　空軍打算購買兩顆先進極高頻（AEHF）衛星以便滿足生存性與安全性方面的需求。首顆AEFH衛星預計2010年發射。
　　 
　　至於空軍是否會利用商業衛星供應商們（諸如ViaSat）提供的巨大的資訊處理能力，尚需拭目以待。 （中國航太工程諮詢中心  許紅英 曲佳）

http://www.dsti.net/News/54906.htm
美國SBIRS-高軌計畫在困難中發展

　　[據美國defenseindustrydaily網站2009年7月12日報導] 美國“天基紅外系統-高軌”（SBIRS-High）衛星計畫是美國未來導彈預警系統中關鍵組成部分。該計畫旨在提供最大限度的預警和監視全球任何地點彈道導彈的發射。新衛星將替換美國現有的“國防支持計畫”（DSP）星座。與後者相比，SBIRS-高軌衛星的紅外感測器擁有兩倍的再訪率和三倍的敏感度，同時能提供更好的持續覆蓋。
　　
　　不過該項目一直存在大幅成本超支、技術難題，以及尚不確定的性能。儘管存在這些困難，甚至已經審查了候補計畫，但是美國空軍仍在推進該計畫。
　　
　　SBIRS-High的目前狀態
　　
　　按照合同，洛克希德•馬丁公司正在建造首批三顆衛星和有效載荷，諾斯羅普•格魯門公司是子承包商，負責有效載荷的集成。2009財年國防預算為SBIRS-高軌撥款23.4億美元，其中17.9億美元用於建造兩顆衛星。
　　
　　首顆SBIRS高軌大橢圓軌道有效載荷已於2008年11月運行，首顆SBIRS-高軌靜地軌道衛星遭到重大推遲，有望在2010年發射。
　　
　　根據美國政府問責署（GAO）的評估，SBIRS項目存在許多問題，包括：不成熟技術、不確定的需求、不穩定的投資、低估了軟體複雜性、監管不力以及其他問題。這些問題已經導致成本超支數十億美元，項目拖期數年。項目成本從最初的40億美元膨脹至120多億美元。
　　
　　2010財年10.1億美元的撥款將SBIRS-高軌衛星的採購數量由2顆削減至1顆。還可能投資採辦第4顆SBIRS-高軌靜地軌道衛星、HEO-4有效載荷以及用於集成HEO-3和HEO-4的衛星。
　　
　　因為SBIRS計畫一直存在問題，美國國防部2006年開始實施一套並行計畫，即“替代性紅外衛星系統”（AIRSS ）。這個計畫旨確保即使SBIRS-高軌失敗，美國的導彈預警與防禦能力仍能持續，也可能作為廉價的SBIRS-高軌衛星系統的替代品。
　　
　　重要的合同及事件包括
　　
　　2009年7月，授予洛•馬2.6億美元合同，建造GEO-4和HEO-4。
　　
　　2009年5月，授予洛•馬14.9億美元，建造GEO-3和HEO-3，以及SBIRS地面系統的現代化，使其可以同時運行3個有效載荷。
　　
　　2009年3月，GAO發佈2009年部分武器專案評估，SBIRS-High記錄在冊。（中國航太工程諮詢中心  許紅英  曲佳） 

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Despite-Problems-SBIRS-High-Moves-Ahead-With-3rd-Satellite-Award-05467/
Despite Problems, SBIRS-High Moves Ahead (updated)
12-Jul-2009 17:15 EDT

The Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS)-High satellite program is a key component of the USA’s future missile alert system, designed to give maximum warning and monitoring of ballistic missile launches anywhere in the world. The new satellites will replace the existing Defense Support Program (DSP) fleet. Their infared sensors have 2 times the revisit rate and 3 times the sensitivity of DSP, while providing better persistent coverage.

Unfortunately, the program has been beset by massive cost overruns, technical challenges that continue to present problems, and uncertain performance. Despite its problems, the U.S. Air Force is proceeding with the program, even as it examines potential alternatives and supplements.

DID has more on the current state of the SBIRS-High program and its budgets, and covers recent contract awards…

SBIRS – High: Current State

Lockheed Martin is under currently contract to produce the satellites and payloads, and Northrop Grumman is the subcontracted payload integrator.

SBIRS-High GEO are satellites. SBIRS-High HEO are payloads hosted on spacecraft with classified launch dates. At present, 2 are in service. The first SBIRS High HEO payload was declared operational in November 2008, and the first SBIRS-High GEO satellite is expected to launch in 2010, after significant delays.

According to US GAO auditors, the SBIRS program has suffered from immature technologies, unclear requirements, unstable funding, underestimated software complexity, poor oversight, and other problems that have resulted in billions of dollars in cost overruns and years in schedule delays. The cost of the program has ballooned from an original $4 billion estimate to over $12 billion. The GAO’s 2009 Assessments of Selected Weapons Programs had this to say:

“Two of the SBIRS High program’s three critical technologies are mature – a lower level of maturity than last year…. the program has experienced design-related problems, especially with the flight software, and more could still emerge…. Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) assessments indicate that the contractor’s cost and schedule performance are high risks. DCMA is currently projecting a $103 million cost overrun at contract completion, and that amount is growing. Further contractor cost increases and schedule delays are expected…”

The FY 2009 defense budget allocated $2.34 billion to SBIRS-High, including $1.79 billion for 2 satellites.

The FY 2010 budget allocation of $1.01 billion cuts proposed SBIRS-High procurement from 2 satellites to 1. It also intends to fund long-lead materials for the 4th SBIRS-High GEO satellite, the HEO-4 payload, and vehicle integration for the HEO-3 & HEO-4 payloads.

Because of continuing problems with SBIRS, the American DoD began a parallel effort in 2006 known as the Alternative Infrared Satellite System (AIRSS). AIRSS was intended to ensure that the nation’s missile-warning and defense capabilities can be sustained even in SBIRS-High failed. It may also wind up providing a less expensive supplement to the SBIRS-High constellation. “SBIRS Evaluating New Technologies” (subscription) provides more information on AIRSS.

Contracts and Key Events

July 10/09: A $262.5 million contract to Lockheed Martin for long-lead time parts and materials used to build the 4th SBIRS-High satellite (GEO-4) and the 4th HEO payload (HEO-4). At this time $137.1 million has been committed by the Space Based Infrared Systems Wing at Los Angeles Air Force Base, CA (FA8810-08-C-0002).

These long-lead effort contracts tend to precede a production contract by a year or more, in order to ensure that required components are already on hand and do not delay assembly.

May 29/09: A cost-plus-fixed-fee contract of up to $1.49 billion to prime contractor Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Sunnyvale, CA for production of the 3rd SBIRS-High satellite (GEO-3, a geosynchronous orbit design), the 3rd payload (HEO-3, a Highly Elliptical Orbit design), and modification of the SBIRS ground systems to accommodate the operation of 3 payloads at the same time.

So far, $1.1 billion has been obligated under the May 29/09 contract. The Space and Missile Center’s Space Based Infrared Systems Wing in El Segundo, CA manages the SIBRS-High contract (FA8810-08-C-0002). See also Lockheed Martin release on the May 29/09 contract.

March 31/09: The US Government Accountability Office auditors release their 2009 Assessments of Selected Weapons Programs. SBIRS – High is one of the programs reviewed, and the report expresses concern about its progress.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2009-07/01/content_11630022.htm
俄羅斯發射一顆美國通信衛星
2009年07月01日 04:00:29 　來源：新華網

新華網莫斯科６月３０日電（記者聶雲鵬）據俄塔社報道，俄羅斯國家赫魯尼切夫航天科研生產中心發言人博布列涅夫３０日宣布，俄羅斯當天晚間用“質子－Ｍ”運載火箭成功發射一顆美國通信衛星。

博布列涅夫說，莫斯科時間３０日２３時１０分（北京時間７月１日３時１０分），這顆名為“天狼星”ＦＭ５的通信衛星由一枚“質子－Ｍ”運載火箭從哈薩克斯坦境內的拜科努爾航天發射場發射順利升空。預計發射９小時後，通信衛星將與“微風－Ｍ”火箭推進器分離，進入西經９６度的地球靜止軌道。

“天狼星”ＦＭ５通信衛星原定２９日發射，在對“微風－Ｍ”火箭推進器加注燃料時出現技術故障，故發射日期推遲至３０日。

該衛星由美國勞拉空間系統公司建造，為美國衛星廣播巨頭天狼星ＸＭ衛星廣播公司所有。此衛星屬新一代大功率衛星，重５８４０千克，使用壽命超過１５年，它將為美國、加拿大、墨西哥及加勒比海地區的用戶提供包括音樂、體育節目在內的高質量無線電轉播服務。

這是俄羅斯今年以來第五次發射“質子－Ｍ”運載火箭。“質子－Ｍ”運載火箭及“微風－Ｍ”火箭推進器由俄羅斯國家赫魯尼切夫航天科研生產中心生產，運載火箭為三級液體燃料火箭，發射重量約７００噸。

（責任編輯: 錢中兵 ）

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20090701/155398366.html
Russian Proton-M carrier rocket orbits U.S. telecoms satellite

09:3101/07/2009

MOSCOW, July 1 (RIA Novosti) - A Proton-M carrier rocket put into orbit on Wednesday a U.S. telecommunications satellite, the Russian Federal Space Agency said.

"The foreign satellite has successfully separated from the Breeze-M booster, and control over the satellite has been transferred to the client," the agency said.

Russian-American joint venture International Launch Services (ILS) signed a contract in March to launch two Sirius satellites to expand the existing SIRIUS Satellite Radio constellation.

ILS, owned by the Khrunichev Center, RSC Energia, and U.S. firm Space Transport Inc. provides spacecraft launch services on board Proton-M carrier rockets.

The launch of the Sirius FM5 satellite was the fifth involving a Proton-M carrier rocket in 2009 and the 346th throughout the history of Proton launches.

ILS launched SIRIUS' initial constellation of three Radiosat satellites in 2000.

Sirius Satellite Radio is a satellite radio (SDARS) service operating in the United States and Canada, owned by Sirius XM Radio. Headquartered in New York City, Sirius was officially launched on July 1, 2002 and currently provides 69 music channels and 65 sports, news and entertainment channels for listeners.

http://www.dsti.net/News/54408.htm
美軍“戰術星”-3衛星將在太空分析成像

　[據美國defensenews網站近日報導]  2009年5月19日發射的“戰術星”-3（TacSat-3）正在距地面418千米（260英里）的軌道上運行，其上攜帶的望遠鏡、成像分光計及電腦可能會使美軍發現隱藏在樹木下面的車輛，探測到近期埋藏在路邊的炸彈，發現偽裝的敵軍部隊。
　　
　　這套設備的名稱為“先進反應戰術效果軍事成像分光計”（ARTEMIS）。望遠鏡相對不夠先進，它只是簡單關注感興趣的區域。
　　
　　分光計的工作是分析望遠鏡收集的圖像，利用電磁波頻譜進行檢測。可見光只是電磁波頻譜上的一小部分。ARTEMIS分光計可以探測到的電磁波頻譜是可見光的6倍以上。分光計將望遠鏡的電磁圖像轉換為圖表。例如，不同的樹，呈現出不同形狀的圖表。ARTEMIS項目由雷神公司管理，該公司生產了這個感測器。ARTEMIS的敏感性足以探測出闊葉樹林綠色和坦克偽裝綠色的不同。
　　
　　ARTEMIS的第三部分是電腦，上面存有超光譜識別標誌庫。在星上進行分析可以避免將大量數據傳到地面再進行分析。分析結束後，衛星發送資訊描述ARTEMIS的發現，並且對其進行座標定位。這些資訊很簡短，可以被手持或可擕式電腦接收。 　　
　　
　　負責“戰術星”-3的空軍研究實驗室表示，從指揮官通知衛星關注某地，到收到目標描述與座標，整個處理過程大約花費10分鐘。專案負責人稱，陸軍5年前就提出對太空成像分光計的需求。使用衛星而不是飛行器或無人機的原因有二：飛機和無人機會被導彈等反飛行器武器擊落，而衛星不會。更重要的是，太空能從制高點提供總括性視角。 　　
　　
　　空軍向雷神公司撥款0.15億美元，要求15個月建成ARTEMIS。 空軍對雷神公司的成就表示滿意。空軍實驗室與陸軍還將研究ARTEMIS的用途。除了ARTEMIS，“戰術星”-3還攜帶了兩個有效載荷，整個衛星成本為0.65億美元，發射成本為0.25億美元。 　　

    如果“戰術星”-3項目順利進行，空軍希望隨後建成一個這樣的光譜成像衛星星座。向陸軍、海軍陸戰隊提供所需的太空超光譜偵察。有了多顆衛星，地面指揮官就可以訂購偵察圖像，衛星會很快給予回應。“戰術星”-3是美國國防部“作戰及時回應型太空”計畫的一部分，旨在快速提供太空能力，滿足軍方需求。 （中國航太工程諮詢中心  許紅英 侯丹）  

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4138510
Putting Image Analysis In Space
Satellite Sees, Then Interprets Hyperspectral Data
By william matthews
Published: 15 June 2009  Print  |    Email

A telescope, an imaging spectrometer and a computer orbiting 260 miles above the earth may soon enable the U.S. military to spot vehicles hidden under foliage, detect recently buried roadside bombs and find enemy troops despite camouflage.

The three instruments are housed in a satellite called TacSat-3 that was launched May 19. If they work as planned, the U.S. Air Force hopes to launch a constellation of such satellites to provide the Army and Marine Corps with on-demand hyperspectral reconnaissance from space.

No other military has anything like it.

The instruments are collectively dubbed ARTEMIS, or Advanced Responsive Tactically Effective Military Imaging Spectrometer.

The telescope is relatively unsophisticated, as satellite instruments go. Its job is simply to look at areas of interest on the ground.

The really interesting work is done by the spectrometer. It analyzes the images the telescope collects by examining them across the electromagnetic spectrum. Visible light - what humans can see - is just a small portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, which extends from very long waves such as radio waves at one end to very short X-rays and gamma rays at the other extreme.

The ARTEMIS spectrometer can detect about six times more of the electromagnetic spectrum than the human eye can.

The spectrometer converts the electromagnetic images it receives from the telescope into graphs. Different trees, for example, produce different-shaped graphs. Grass produces a distinctive graph, and dried grass produces yet another. The graph produced by concrete is different from that of granite, which is different from the one created by asphalt.

"It's like a signature," said Edward Gussin, ARTEMIS program manager at Raytheon, the company that built the sensor.

And each substance has a different byperspectral signature and can be identified by it.

ARTEMIS is sensitive enough to detect both the green foliage of trees and the very different green paint of a tank hidden underneath, Gussin said.

The third part of ARTEMIS, the computer, contains a library of hyperspectral signatures. As the spectrometer creates them, the computer compares them with signatures in its library to identify what the telescope is seeing.

That analysis is done on the satellite to avoid transmitting massive amounts of data to be analyzed on the ground, Gussin said.

With the analysis done, the satellites transmits a description of what ARTEMIS has spotted and coordinates indicating its location. The message is brief enough to be received by a hand-held or laptop computer.

The whole process - from the time a commander tells the satellite where to look till he receives the target description and coordinates - takes about 10 minutes, according to the Air Force Research Laboratory, which oversees the TacSat-3 program.

Besides seeing tanks or vehicles hidden under foliage, ARTEMIS can discern freshly dug earth from undisturbed earth, Gussin said, a capability that is expected to help ground troops discover where roadside bombs have been buried. And the sensor can spot enemy locations and troops on the move.

"To get this type of technology in space has been a long-term goal," said Thomas Cooley, TacSat-3 program manager at the Air Force Research Lab at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. "The Army specified five years ago their desire for an imaging spectrometer in space."

Why a satellite and not on an aircraft or an unmanned aerial vehicle?

"A couple of reasons," Cooley said.

Planes and UAVs can be shot down with anti-aircraft weapons including missiles; satellites, for the most part, cannot. More importantly, space offers "a much more synoptic view from the highest of vantage points." From space you can see a lot more.

If TacSat-3 performs as hoped, the Air Force hopes to follow up by building a constellation of spectral imaging satellites.

With multiple satellites - just how many are needed is part of what TacSat-3 is supposed to indicate - ground commanders would be able to order reconnaissance images and have a satellite overhead reasonably soon to take them.

With a constellation, "we can be anywhere in the world almost simultaneously," Gussin said. Each spacecraft circles the earth in about 90 minutes, so with several of them aloft, "you can monitor North Korea and Afghanistan" more or less at the same time.

TacSat-3 is part of the Defense Department's Operationally Responsive Space program that aims to make space capabilities available more quickly to those in the military who need them.

A big part of that is making access to space faster and cheaper. So the Air Force gave Raytheon $15 million and a 15-month deadline to build ARTEMIS.

Building specialized instruments for space typically takes several years and can cost hundreds of millions of dollars, Gussin said.

TacSat-3 carries two other payloads in addition to ARTEMIS. The whole satellite cost about $65 million to build and $25 million to launch.

To keep ARTEMIS costs down, "quite a bit of it was off-the-shelf technology. We only had 15 months, so we did not develop a lot of custom stuff," Gussin said.

For instance, mirrors for the telescope were based on those that had already been developed for another program, he said. "So we had very high quality mirrors quickly."

The Air Force is happy with the results so far. "Raytheon did an excellent job" of building a low-cost imaging spectrometer in a short time, Cooley said. "The ability to do spectroscopy from space is a very powerful tool in identifying surface materials."

It's so new that the military doesn't yet know all of its potential uses. This summer the Air Force Research Lab will begin working with the Army to see just what ARTEMIS can do, Cooley said. "We will begin building a database on how it can be best used."

http://www.dsti.net/News/53780.htm
美空軍ORS試驗衛星“戰術星”-3（TacSat-3）發射升空
 

　　[本站2009年5月22日綜合報導]  美國東部時間19日19時55分，美國空軍的“米諾陶”火箭（Minotaur I）將空軍實驗室的“戰術星”-3（TacSat-3 ）衛星發射升空，同時進入低地球軌道的還有NASA的一顆PharmaSat微衛星和三顆“立方體衛星”（CubeSat）技術演示實驗。
　　
　　發射情況及有效載荷
　　
　　Minotaur 1火箭長21米（69英尺），從瓦勒普斯島的中大西洋地區航太中心發射升空。由於天氣與技術原因，本次發射數次推遲。小組確認航天器整流罩打開，有效載荷分離並進入軌道後，宣佈發射成功。
　　
　　火箭發射後12分鐘，TacSat-3與火箭的第四級分離。TacSat-3是首個有效載荷來自全球作戰指揮官推薦的任務。作為TacSat-3的主要投資機構，作戰及時回應型太空（ORS）辦公室負責促進TacSat-3技術向作戰能力轉移。
　　    
　　發射後22分鐘，PharmaSat從獨立部署系統P-POD上分離部署。當晚衛星與地面站取得聯繫，證明發射後狀態良好。NASA的PharmaSat是生物研究航天器，重4.5千克（10磅）。來自PharmaSat的資料將幫助科學家尋找最好的方法治療太空宇航員的感染。
　　
　　“米諾陶”還攜帶了三顆立方體的小衛星：加利福尼亞州立大學的CP6、馬里蘭州豪克航太科學研究所的HawkSat 1，宇航集團的AeroCube 3。當晚尚不能確定三顆衛星的情況。
　　
　　關於TacSat-3
　　
　　TacSat-3於2004年開始構思，原計劃2007年發射，後因航天器設備出現多種問題推遲數年。衛星重400千克（880磅），由科特蘭空軍基地空軍研究實驗室負責管理。它是美國國防部作戰及時回應型太空項目的一部分。
　　
　　TacSat-3的主要儀器是一台高解析度的超光譜成像儀，稱為ARTEMIS。它能實現制定戰術決策的下級指揮官快速詢問和接受敵方部隊與設備方面的資訊。官方沒有透露ARTEMIS成像儀的空間解析度，但是經理們稱該儀器可以探測到地面特徵，可以像特殊的油畫那樣顯示細節。超光譜成像儀的前身曾搭乘機載平臺和衛星平臺，2000年搭乘NASA的“地球觀測”-1遙感測試衛星升空。該儀器由雷神公司製造，TacSat-3衛星平臺由阿連特技術公司製作。　
　　
　　除了一台高解析度成像儀，TacSat-3還運用了用戶友好軟體，將向官員們展示及時回應型航天器對戰場上下級指揮官的價值。TacSat-3專案經理表示，希望能建成一種天基支援軍事的全新範例。
　　
　　該衛星將在2009年底加入陸軍的實驗中，展示其接受戰區指揮、收集圖像、將成果下行到戰地士兵手中的能力。TacSat-3專案經理說，“衛星處於上方時，指揮官可以連接到所關注的地點，衛星可以自動判斷如何更好搜集、並搜集、處理資料，與陸軍所需的資料進行對比。星載電腦上的程式師可以下載這些資料，或者是地面物體反光信號，所以它們可以將目標資訊與機上存儲的檔進行自動對比。衛星上預存儲了大量資料。地面指揮官可以接收到目標位置經度與緯度的原始圖像，或是文本資訊。TacSat-3能在10分鐘內完成這些工作，這期間衛星可運行250多英里。這些試驗能幫助官員判定高度及時回應型太空系統的軍事用途，將來可以用於大型衛星星座上，提供全球覆蓋。
　　
　　星上還攜帶了海軍的衛星通信包和空軍的即插即用航電包（稱為“太空航電試驗”）。海軍通信有效載荷將觀測海上浮標，將資訊傳輸給地面站，再由後者傳給作戰人員。
　　
　　TacSat-3專案的合作者包括空軍研究實驗室、ORS辦公室、陸軍太空與導彈防禦司令部、海軍研究辦公室和國家地理空間情報局。軍方希望TacSat-3至少運行一年。ORS辦公室主任表示，TacSat計畫是為聯合部隊指揮官提供作戰相關的太空能力的基石，一直在加入新成熟技術，支持國家安全利益。TacSat-3將評估這種感測器和整個低成本航天器的作戰應用效能。一旦完成本次試驗，其評估結果有助於實現技術向作戰人員的快速轉移。
　　
　　其他TacSat項目
　　
　　TacSat-3是第二顆進入太空的TacSat有效載荷，2006年TacSat-2進入太空。TacSat-1任務由於演示驗證問題目前被擱置，推遲發射將近五年。該衛星將測試一種IP路由器，能向軍事指揮官提供可見圖像與紅外圖像。TacSat-1的未來取決於正在進行的發射合同商談，以及“資源問題”的研究。
　　
　　另外一顆演示衛星TacSat-4預計將於9月搭乘“米諾陶”-4火箭從阿拉斯加州的科迪亞克島發射。TacSat-5目前處於早期開發階段，預計2012年發射。
　　
　　向ORS衛星過渡
　　
　　ORS官員已經開始將TacSat測試的技術用於作戰衛星上，但是軍方可能還要繼續TacSat計畫，進行更多研究任務。ORS辦公室主任稱：“如果預算到位，指揮得當，我們能繼續進行TacSat-6的同時致力於ORS衛星或作戰衛星”。他認為，從TacSat任務得出的一個關鍵教訓是供應鏈上的困難，已經導致多顆衛星推遲。
　　
    2008年官員們同意在2010年使用另一枚Minotaur 1火箭發射首顆作戰型的ORS衛星任務，即ORS Sat 1。其上將攜帶一台U-2 間諜機上使用的攝像機。ORS Sat 2將攜帶一個成像雷達有效載荷，旨在為部隊提供全氣候的夜視能力。 （中國航太工程諮詢中心  許紅英 侯丹）

http://big5.xinhuanet.com/gate/big5/news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2009-05/06/content_11322361.htm
美稱因天氣惡劣推遲發射新一代間諜衛星 
2009年05月06日 10:47:11 　來源：中國新聞網 

   據美聯社等媒體消息，美國太空總署5日稱，因天氣惡劣，原定于5日發射的新一代間諜衛星推遲發射。

   這種間諜衛星最大的特點，就是能識破精心偽裝的敵方目標，迅速將所獲得的情報傳給一線作戰部隊。

   TacSet-3間諜衛星原定于當地時間5日晚上8至11時，在新澤西州大西洋城的奧爾普斯飛行中心發射升空。這顆重880磅(約399公斤)，價值6000萬美元的間諜衛星升空後，會讓美軍擁有“更加及時、準確、清晰”的情報。

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/article/WALLOPGAT05_20090505-061205/265818/
Rocket launch set tonight on Eastern Shore

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: May 5, 2009

ATLANTIC -- A satellite designed to detect hidden enemy weapons and quickly inform U.S. troops of their location is set for launch tonight from Virginia's Eastern Shore.

The Air Force TacSet-3 satellite is set to blast off between 8 and 11 p.m. from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Atlantic. The 69-foot-high Minotaur 1 rocket will be in orbit for one year.

Scientists say the 880-pound satellite atop the $60 million spacecraft will offer hyperspectral images and deliver them in 10 minutes. Officials say it is especially suited to battle conditions in the rugged, mountainous terrain of Afghanistan.

Military officials say it the satellite is successful, it could be ready for actual battlefield use in a year or two.

-- The Associated Press

http://www.dsti.net/News/52921.htm
美國空軍的第二顆先進極高頻軍事通信衛星完成環境試驗

      [據雅虎網站2009年4月14日報導] 洛克希德•馬丁公司成功完成第二顆先進極高頻（AEHF）軍事通信衛星的熱真空試驗，在與飛行類似的試驗環境中驗證了衛星的性能和功能。

      美國空軍的先進極高頻系統將為地面、海上以及空中平臺的作戰人員，提供全球化、高度安全、受保護且持久的通信能力。單顆先進極高頻衛星將提供比目前在軌的整個軍事星星座更強的通信能力。個人用戶的資料傳輸速度將提高5倍。更高的資料傳輸速度將允許戰術軍事通信的傳送，例如即時視頻、戰場地圖以及目標資料。

      洛•馬太空系統公司是此專案的總承包商，諾格宇航系統公司是該專案的有效載荷供應商。衛星熱真空試驗完成後，洛•馬公司團隊將進行環境試驗資料分析、聲學試驗以及飛行前最後的系統試驗活動。這顆衛星計畫在2011年交付美國空軍，並準備搭乘“宇宙神”-5運載火箭發射。

      依據合同，洛•馬公司將為美國空軍太空與導彈系統中心的軍事衛星通信系統編隊，提供三顆先進極高頻衛星以及任務控制段。（中國航太工程諮詢中心 曲佳 謝慧敏） 

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2009/041409_ss_aehf.html
Second Advanced EHF Military Communications Satellite Built By Lockheed Martin Completes Environmental Testing

SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 14th, 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has successfully completed thermal vacuum testing of the second Advanced Extremely High Frequency (EHF) military communications satellite, a major program milestone that proves spacecraft performance and functionality in a complete test-like-you-fly environment.

The U.S. Air Force's Advanced EHF system will provide global, highly secure, protected, survivable communications for warfighters operating on ground, sea and air platforms.

Conducted between Jan. 26 and March 14 inside Lockheed Martin's Dual Entry Large Thermal Altitude (DELTA) chamber, the successful test verified Advanced EHF spacecraft functionality and performance in a vacuum environment where the satellite was stressed at the extreme hot and cold temperatures it will experience in space throughout its 14-year design life.

The milestone is one of several critical environmental test phases that validate the overall satellite design, quality of workmanship and survivability during space vehicle launching and on-orbit operations.

“The team executed a highly disciplined and successful test and the results give us high confidence that this vitally important protected communications satellite will meet all performance requirements," said John Miyamoto, Lockheed Martin's AEHF vice president. "Completion of thermal vacuum testing is a critical milestone that moves the team closer to the launch pad and we look forward to achieving mission success for our customer."

With the completion of spacecraft thermal vacuum testing, the team of Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif., the Advanced EHF prime contractor, and Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, Redondo Beach, Calif., the payload supplier, will now perform environmental test data analysis, acoustic testing and final systems test activities necessary to prepare the vehicle for flight. The spacecraft is planned for delivery to the Air Force in 2011 in preparation for launch aboard an Atlas V launch vehicle.

A single Advanced EHF satellite will provide greater total capacity than the entire Milstar constellation currently on-orbit. Individual user data rates will be five times improved.

The higher data rates will permit transmission of tactical military communications, such as real-time video, battlefield maps and targeting data. In addition to its tactical mission, Advanced EHF will also provide the critical survivable, protected, and endurable communications to the National Command Authority including presidential conferencing in all levels of conflict.

Lockheed Martin is currently under contract to provide three Advanced EHF satellites and the Mission Control Segment to its customer, the Military Satellite Communications Systems Wing, located at the Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. The program is in the early stages of adding a fourth spacecraft to the planned constellation.

http://www.dsti.net/News/52873.htm
美空軍“天基紅外系統”（SBIRS）計畫進入後續生產階段

     [本站2009年4月13日綜合報導]  美國洛•馬公司4月10日宣佈，已提交“天基紅外系統”（SBIRS）後續生產階段議案，並與空軍共同完成了初步設計評審。

    SBIRS後續計畫將完成SBIRS星座的部署，要增加第三個和第四個高橢圓軌道（HEO）有效載荷，以及第三顆地球同步軌道（GEO）衛星，和可選的第四顆地球同步軌道衛星。洛•馬公司正在執行價值3.7億美元的先進採辦階段合同，該公司希望能在2009年晚些時候簽署新增的GEO衛星和HEO有效載荷合同。

    SBIRS概況

    SBIRS原計劃包括兩個HEO有效載荷和4顆GEO衛星。

    2008年，HEO-1及地面系統通過美國戰略司令部的運行鑒定； HEO-2完成在軌校驗。GEO-1通過了聲學試驗。2009年第一季度，GEO-1衛星開始試驗最新飛行軟體，預計將在2010財年發射；GEO-2有效載荷成功完成熱真空試驗。（中國航太工程諮詢中心  許紅英 錢錢）

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2009/040909_ss_sbris_sfp.html
Lockheed Martin SBIRS Team Advancing To Follow-On Production Phase

SUNNYVALE, Calif, April 9th, 2009 -- The Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) team has submitted its proposal for the program's follow-on production phase and has completed a major Preliminary Design Review (PDR) milestone with the U.S. Air Force.

The SBIRS program is designed to provide early warning of missile launches, and simultaneously support other missions including missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace awareness.

The SBIRS Follow-on Program, which will complete the SBIRS constellation, will add the third and fourth highly elliptical orbit (HEO) payloads as well as the third and an option for a fourth geosynchronous orbit (GEO) spacecraft.

The proposal, submitted on March 22, builds on the experience of prime contractor Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif., and payload integrator, Northrop Grumman, Azusa, Calif. in providing the SBIRS development program for the Space Based Infrared Systems Wing at the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif.

“With the submission of the full production proposal for the SBIRS follow-on program, the joint government-industry team is another step closer to making the planned constellation of this critical system a reality," said Col. Roger Teague the U.S. Air Force SBIRS Wing Commander. “I salute the entire SBIRS team for their dedication and hard work and look forward to future mission success."

Working under an initial $370 million contract for advanced procurement phase, the team has successfully completed PDRs for the HEO & GEO payloads and systems along with critical components and subsystems. With the completion of the SBIRS follow on program PDR phase, the program team will transition to the Critical Design Review (CDR) stage, followed by the production phase.

“Successful completion of the PDR phase will allow us to move efficiently into the next phase of this essential program," said Jeff Smith, Lockheed Martin’s SBIRS Vice President. “We look forward to building on our close customer partnership as we strive to achieve operational excellence on this critical system.”

Lockheed Martin's current SBIRS contract includes the two HEO payloads now on-orbit, two GEO satellites, as well as ground-based assets to receive and process the infrared data. Contract award for the additional GEO spacecraft and HEO payloads is expected in late 2009.