The C3S has two Satellite Operations Centers (SOCs): The Multipurpose Satellite Operations Center (MPSOC) at Offutt AFB, NE; and the Fairchild Satellite Operations Center (FSOC) at Fairchild AFB, WA. The 5th Satellite Operations Squadron (SOS) uses the resources of these SOCs to perform the planning, processing, and command generation functions of the C3S. Dual SOCs are provided so that if one becomes inoperable or unavailable during times of international conflict, control can be assumed by the other.
The 5th SOS uses dedicated data acquisition equipment (antennas,
receivers, and transmitters) at FSOC and shares the use of the
AFSCN Remote Tracking Stations (RTSs) at HTS (Hawaii Tracking
Station, Kaena Point, HI) NHS (New Hampshire Station, New
Boston, NH), and TTS (Thule Tracking Station, Thule, Greenland)
to communicate with the DMSP satellites. Interface is provided
to the shared RTSs by the Site 42, 43, and 56 Equipment.
The C3S uses Internet Equipment to provide backup command and status collection capability through CSOC and CSTC. Normal AFSCN communications and functions provide for command transmission and telemetry reception through any RTS from these sites. These capabilities are compatible with transmission of DMSP commands and reception of realtime Equipment Status Telemetry (EST) through any RTS. They are inadequate to support the data rates needed for collection of DMPS mission data and stored EST.
The C3S provides a ground-test capability for the DMSP satellite through the Satellite Integration Contractor and the PTF (Payload Test Facility, Vandenberg AFB, CA). Internet equipment allows the C3S to interface with these sites. The Commanding System Test is performed on the DMSP satellite at the Space System Integrator (SSI) facility prior to shipment to the launch facility. The Operational Commanding Test is performed at the launch facility through the PTF. The SSI facility and PTF are considered part of the Space Segment of the DMSP system.
Communication between these sites is provided by two dedicated communications networks and the shared AFSCN network. The primary communications means for DMSP is the Wideband Network. This network provides for commanding, EST data collection, and mission data collection from MPSOC through the dedicated data acquisition equipment at FSOC. It also provides for commanding, EST data collection, and mission data collection from either FSOC or MPSOC through the shared AFSCN RTSs. The Wideband Network consists only of Domestic Communications Satellite (DOMSAT) links.
The Narrowband Network is the other DMSP dedicated communication network. This network provides links for voice communications, file transfer capability, and remote terminal operation capability, and backup commanding between CSOC, CSTC, FSOC, and MPSOC, the PTF, and the SSI facility. It uses leased common-carrier Digital Data Service (DDS) links.
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