Sustaining Satellite Networks and Systems

Col. Philip Simonsen, USAF, commander, Satellite Control and Network Systems Group (SCNG), Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, was the chapter's March speaker. He is responsible for modernizing and sustaining the Air Force Satellite Control Network. Col. Simonsen ensures responsive and effective support to warfighters, providing highly reliable launch and satellite command and control (C2), communications, telemetry and tracking, as well as developing compatible C2 and standard training systems for the space enterprise. Through more than 450 satellite contacts with 170 satellites daily, the group enabled 35 emergency satellite recoveries in 2007 and 16 successful launches in 2006. In addition to sustaining legacy equipment, SCNG is planning future changes and upgrades to the Range Tracking System and Network Management System in order to provide improved orbit analysis and interoperability between programs. The group also plans to implement an automated electronic and more decentralized antenna scheduling capability with automatic dissemination of contact information.