Defense Satellite Communications System


The Defense Satellite Communications System provides the United States with military communications to support globally distributed military users. Beginning in 2007, DSCS is being replaced by the Wideband Global SATCOM system. A total of 14 DSCS-III satellites were launched between the early 1980s and 2003. Two satellites were launched aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis in 1985 during the STS-51-J flight. As of 23 November 2015, seven DSCS-III satellites were still operational. DSCS operations are currently run by the 4th Space Operations Squadron out of Schriever Air Force Base.

Background

DSCS went through three major phases — IDCSP, DSCS-II, and DSCS-III. Since the first launch, DSCS has been the "workhorse" of military satellite communications. All DSCS III satellites have exceeded their 10-year design life. The National Science Foundation use the DSCS satellites to provide additional bandwidth to Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station and McMurdo Station on Ross Island on the continent of Antarctica.

IDCSP

In April 1960, the Advanced Research Projects Agency began work on the Advent program, which was intended to deliver a military communication satellite. The design concept proved too advanced for the technology of the time, and the program was cancelled in May 1962. IDCSP was one of two recommended follow up approaches to deliver a working satellite.
Philco was contracted for the work. The IDCSP delivered a simple, spin-stabilized satellite placed into a sub-synchronous orbit that did not require station-keeping or active altitude control. The capacity was approximately 1 Mbit/s digital data.
The first launch of 7 satellites was conducted in June 1966. The system was declared operational with the 1968 launch, and renamed to Initial Defense Satellite Communication System.
A total of 34 IDSCS satellites were built, with 8 lost in a launch failure in August 1966.

DSCS II

DSCS II, developed under Program 777 provided secure voice and data transmission for the United States Armed Forces. The program was managed by the Defense Communications Agency, now the Defense Information Systems Agency.
The space vehicles were spin stabilized with a de-spun antenna platform. The body was mounted with solar cells, which produced 535 watts. Three NiCd batteries provided electrical power and it was supported by a hydrazine propulsion subsystem.
The communications payload included two 20-watt X band channels. The transponders were supported by steerable narrow beam antennas and drive mechanism for communications privacy.
The first DSCS II launch was in 1971.

DSCS III

On 12 December 1975 research and development contracts were awarded to General Electric and Hughes Aircraft Company. to begin DSCS III design studies, with the first Block 1 launch on 30 October 1982.
DSCS III satellites support globally distributed Department of Defense and national security users. The final 4 of 14 satellites received Service Life Enhancement Program modifications. These changes provided substantial capacity improvements through higher power amplifiers, more sensitive receivers, and additional antenna connectivity options. The DSCS communications payload includes six independent Super High Frequency transponder channels that cover a 500 MHz bandwidth. Three receive and five transmit antennas provide selectable options for Earth coverage, area coverage and/or spot beam coverage. A special purpose single-channel transponder is also on board.

DSCS III Spacecraft

Image gallery