Improved Satellite Ground C3

ABSTRACT:Braxtons primary goal is to integrate and test advanced space asset command, control, and communications (C3) assets so that the current low bandwidth, high cost USAF systems can use high bandwidth, high reliability, low cost, automated commercial communications assets and system resource planning methods.Braxton will leverage 20 years of tracking, telemetry and commanding (TT&C), mission planning, scheduling and cross domain Commercial off-the-Shelf (COTS) expertise to deliver prototype systems to support research and development (R&D) testing and demonstrations for satellite bus and payload operations.BENEFIT:Demonstration success would support transition of new technologies to U.S. Government systems as demonstrated capabilities at Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL 6) and the ability to commercialize segments of USAF programs at significantly reduced costs. The Air Force and DoD also gain benefit by reducing the risk of upgrading existing satellite C3 systems or new major acquisition programs by taking advantage of commercial capabilities to deliver improved capabilities at lower costs.The operational benefits depend on the constellation supported. In some cases, the improved C3 capabilities may enable the recovery of residual spacecraft for operational use extending the life of multi-$100M space assets.