NASA DEEP SPACE NETWORK OPERATIONS PLANNING AND PREPARATION

Abstract

The first contact that a project or user has with NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) Operations is with the Operations Planning Group. This group establishes an early interface with the user’s planning organization to educate the user on DSN capabilities and limitations. It negotiates and documents DSN support commitments to provide a firm foundation for developing the project support plans. The group develops plans and schedules to prepare the network for project support. Part of this activity is to monitor and evaluate the testing and training required in preparation of mission support. The DSN Operations Planning Group provides a team of one or two individuals dedicated to each user or project depending on the magnitude of the coordination activity. This team works through the planning and preparation activity and continues to support the project after the spacecraft launch to the end of the mission. The team provides a coordinating role after launch. It also provides planning and preparation for specific events such as planetary encounters.