Using Commercial Global Personal Communication System for a Global Test Range

Abstract

This paper investigates the feasibility of using commercial satellite constellations to relay telemetry data from flight test vehicles as part of a Global Test Range. The use of a commercial satellite constellation would provide an augmented capability to the test range, providing near real-time data to the data reduction site and test range control at reasonable cost. This includes an analysis of current and proposed commercial communication satellite constellations to determine if any of them would fulfill the needs of a telemetry test range. Preliminary assessment of the communication link between a flight vehicle and the satellite constellations is performed.