TDRSS CONTROL NETWORK

Abstract

The new NASA near-earth orbit tracking and data acquisition network will be made up of a network of two, synchronous orbit, tracking and data relay satellites plus an in-orbit spare. The principal ground components are the TDRSS White Sands Ground Terminal (WSGT) near Las Cruces, New Mexico and the Network Control Center at NASA GSFC in Greenbelt, Maryland. Communications between the sites are handled via the NASA Communications Network (NASCOM) through the NASA Ground Terminal (NGT) located at the WSGT. This paper will discuss the control of the TDRSS Network for User Spacecraft Tracking and User Data Acquisition.