THE EVOLUTION OF AFSCN TELEMETRY SIMULATION SYSTEMS

Abstract

The Air Force satellite control capability was started in the late 1950s to support command and control of orbiting spacecraft. A need to train and certify ground support personnel as well as to validate equipment configurations soon became evident. Ground personnel would have to know how to generate satellite contact plans, establish connectivity between the satellite and telemetry display terminals, analyze satellite telemetry data, and transmit commands to execute the contact plans. They would have to learn specific ground systems capabilities, satellite design information, and approved command and control procedures. This presentation will review the evolution of telemetry simulation systems as they apply to systems test, personnel training and evaluation. Included will be a discussion of the ground and satellite systems, and how system upgrades and changing operations concepts have fostered the development of telemetry simulators. In describing the next generation of AFSCN simulation systems, this paper will highlight the important part they play in validating system configuration and in personnel training.