Satellite Control Network
Systems Delta 85 is developing and prototyping the Satellite Control Network (SCN) (Project 673276) for Guardians performing satellite operations across Combat Power, Space Domain Awareness, Launch, Position Navigation and Timing, Satellite Communications, Weather, and Science & Technology and Test & Evaluation. As a result, the Service will improve readiness and operational reach of existing force structure as well as integrate Allies, partners, and commercial space to USSF units which will result in resilient Infrastructure, equipment, and personnel. The Satellite Control Network (SCN) is a satellite ground terminal network comprised of two communication nodes (Schriever SFB & Vandenberg SFB) and 15 antenna systems. The antennas are distributed around the globe at seven locations -- Vandenberg Tracking Station (VTS), Diego Garcia Station (DGS), Guam Tracking Station (GTS), Hawaii Tracking Station (HTS), New Hampshire Tracking Station (NHS), Thule Tracking Station (TTS) at Pituffik Space Base in Greenland and Telemetry and Commanding Station (TCS) at RAF Oakhanger, England -- to ensure global coverage for over 170 satellites in various orbits operating in a congested and contested environment. The SCN conducts an average of 450+ satellite contacts per day supporting Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT), Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Missile Warning and Missile Defense, Communications, Weather, Launch Vehicle Support, and Research and Development (R&D) for Department of War (DoW), Intelligence Community (IC), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) operations. While most of the 450+ daily satellite contacts are routine command and control (C2) activities, the SCN is also used during satellite emergencies (e.g. a tumbling satellite) because its high-power antennas are often the only terrestrial assets that can re-establish contact with a non-responsive satellite. During each Fiscal Year, the SCN typically supports multiple space vehicle emergencies, resulting in the preservation of over 4B worth of satellites. In addition to routine and emergency satellite operations C2, the SCN provides support to launch and early orbit operations, ensuring worldwide telemetry during launch vehicle ascent, staging, and orbital insertion, and data transmit and receive for new satellites completing early orbit checkout.
Continue the incremental modernization of capabilities supporting the Data Transmit and Receive Network (DTRN) to meet current and future demand, address user priorities, close capability gaps, and responsively support mission needs. Focus on expanding contact capacity via modern, automated solutions for Government and commercial antenna…
Read the FY2027 plan →FY2026 to FY2027 change FY 2027 plans are documented in the new major thrust "Assured Satellite TT&C and Data Services”
FY2026 plans — current year Continue the phased modernization of capabilities supporting satellite operations transmit and receive for both the current and evolving future demand. Adapt as necessary to address user priorities to responsively support mission needs. Support development of phased array, mobile, or other antenna/site improvements. Continue development of ERM interfaces for commercial apertures access and machine-to-machine data transfers, Deliver an ERM interface control document (ICD) for Satellite Operations Centers (SOCs), an automated scheduler with Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) deconfliction, and complete development of the interface which is a key function for supporting scheduling of Satellite…
FY2026 to FY2027 change FY 2027 plans are documented in the new major thrust "Assured Satellite TT&C and Data Services”
FY2026 plans — current year Continue development of augmentation services, including integration of these services into ERM. Continue pursuit of operationalized commercial antenna access solutions, to include cyber-secure antenna network brokering via prototype Joint Antenna Marketplace (JAM) development. Demonstrate operational feasibility for contact operations for at least two Satellite Operations Centers (SOCs) and at least two commercial antenna provider networks. Continue to deliver enhancements and deficiency resolution for Satellite C2 Augmentation Services efforts.
FY2026 to FY2027 change FY 2027 decreased due to transfer of effort to new Data Transport and Networking Program (1203156SF), meshONE-T Project (673994). This transfers the Cyber-secure Mission Data Transport effort into a consolidated program for USSF data transport for FY 2027 and subsequent years.
FY2026 plans — current year Continue expansion and development of the meshONE-Terrestrial (meshONE-T) system to deliver a modern, scalable, resilient, cyber-secure network communications architecture for mission data transport. Continue deployment of new capabilities and upgrades to include but not limited to satellite communications (SATCOM), additional Zero Trust architecture enhancements, and delivery of initial Rapid Deployable capabilities. Deploy additional network nodes and communication to support warfighter-prioritized mission partners and locations, completing a significant portion of the global mesh buildout. Continue to deliver enhancements and deficiency resolution. Perform pre-operations support for the…
FY2026 to FY2027 change FY 2027 plans are documented in the new major thrust "Assured Satellite TT&C and Data Services”
FY2026 plans — current year Continue Program Office support and SE&I efforts as required for integration, development and modernization across data transmit, receive and transport capabilities. Provide systems and subsystem level definition, baseline, architecture, integration planning, test, and support for the Satellite Control Network (SCN) and augmentation services. Additionally, SE&I will provide support to Space Systems Command (SSC) initiatives supporting Data Transport Receive Network (DTRN) activities. Continue to support enhancements and deficiency resolution in fielded SCN systems, to include newly-delivered capabilities, and implementation of system resiliency and situational awareness necessary to operate…