* Astronomy

TSAT SS Completes Major Design Review
Boeing has announced the Transformational SATCOM Space Segment (TSAT SS) program has successfully completed its Interim Space Segment Design Review (ISSDR).

"The completion of this review is a major step toward realizing the Air Force's vision for TSAT. We demonstrated technical and schedule confidence, and that our flight path is achievable" - John Fuller, vice president Boeing Air Force Space Systems.

TSAT SS is a key enabler of Network Centric Operations and will provide a survivable, secure and protected high-capacity global internet-like connectivity for the U.S. Department of Defence, civilian and intelligence communities.
Boeing demonstrated to the Air Force the team's requirements definition, system definition, risk reduction and technology maturity efforts are on schedule, in the Company's System of Systems Integration Laboratory in Huntington Beach, California
The Boeing team is one of two contractor teams awarded a $514 million TSAT SS risk reduction and system definition study contract in January 2004. The study continues through 2006, when the government will select a single contractor to proceed with the acquisition and operation phase. A major development effort for the Department of Defence, the TSAT SS first launch is planned for early next decade. Supported by a constellation of satellites in geosynchronous orbit, TSAT SS will provide the backbone of the Department of Defence's high-bandwidth networked communications.

The operational system will create net-centric functionality enabling defence and intelligence professionals to make rapid decisions based on integrated and comprehensive information. In addition to supporting Communications On The Move services and protected strategic communications, the TSAT satellites will incorporate laser communications to create a high-bandwidth spacecraft-to-spacecraft links, as well as links to Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance platforms. The system will be interoperable with deployed and infrastructure networks and will provide superior network information assurance.

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