Outcome 5.4: Communications & Launch

Implement and provide space communications and launch capabilities responsive to existing and future science and space exploration missions.

Other Information:

An uninterrupted, reliable communications network is essential to receiving and transmitting the data that makes our space missions safe, efficient, and successful. This communications network is critical to space missions, providing the telemetry, tracking, and command activities required by each spacecraft. Communications capabilities enable us to transfer key data to ground systems, manage space operations, and maintain voice communications with crews on human space flight missions. As new spacecraft with different objectives and advanced technology are launched, communication needs change. In response, we modify and evolve our space communications capabilities to ensure our mission needs are fulfilled. Our Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) Program will continue its development of a unified space communication and navigation network capable of meeting robotic and human space exploration needs. We will use a new architecture definition document to guide the design of an integrated network architecture and the standards for the next generation of space communications. We also will continue to use competitive sourcing to acquire major modernization upgrades to the Space Network Ground Segment and to accomplish integration of the SCaN networks to a single, comprehensive network. Through close and ongoing cooperation with our international partners, we will work to develop cross-support network compatibility and interoperability for efficiency and effectiveness. Assuring reliable and cost-effective access to space for payload missions also is critical to achieving our goals. Through our Launch Services Program (LSP), we are responsible for understanding the full range of civil space launch needs and working closely with other Government agencies and the launch industry to ensure that the safest, most reliable, on-time, and cost-effective commercial launch opportunities are available over a wide range of launch systems. LSP personnel work with customers from universities, industry, Government agencies, and international partners from the earliest phase of mission planning to purchase fixed-price launch services from domestic suppliers. LSP personnel also seek opportunities to share unused payload capacity aboard non-NASA launches to leverage launch funds. Most importantly, they provide oversight to ensure that our valuable, one-of-a-kind missions achieve their space flight objectives.

Stakeholder(s):

• Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) Program


• Launch Services Program (LSP)


• Government Agencies


• Launch Industry


• Universities


• Industry


• International Partners

Indicator(s):

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