THE SBS TT&C SYSTEM

Abstract

The SBS Telemetry, Tracking and Command (TT&C) System consists of one earth station in Castle Rock, Colorado and a combined earth station and control center in Clarksburg, Maryland. The system commenced operation with the launch of the SBS-1 spacecraft in November 1980, two and one-half years after the initiation of the design study. The system design utilized as a base the experience of COMSAT and SBS personnel on the INTELSAT and COMSAT General networks. From this base, a system was designed around real-time telemetry processing for four spacecraft that included such features as: subsystem oriented spacecraft displays, centralized control over the hardware and software at both sites, human factors orientation and ease of future expansion. The major functions performed include: spacecraft commanding, ranging, orbit and attitude determination, telemetry retrieval and analysis and comprehensive monitoring and alarm system.