RELEASE NO.:  96-9

NASA Acquiring Systems to Reduce Satellite Data Acquisition Costs

NASA has taken another step in reducing operating costs and providing
inexpensive access to satellite data for Earth and space science
researchers with the procurement of automatic ground tracking systems.

NASA has put in place a road map to launch smaller and more numerous
satellites as we approach the next century.  This approach will open the
doors to scientists and educators  making the most of the opportunities
space exploration provides.

To meet the tracking and data acquisition requirements for these small,
inexpensive satellites, NASA will rely on the new Low-Earth Orbit Terminal
(LEO-T) sytems that are smaller, cheaper, fully autonomous, unstaffed
systems which operate without large network infrastructures.

Steve Kremer, from the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's Wallops Flight
Facility, Wallops Island, VA,, said the LEO-T systems will increase the
capabilities for tracking satellites without increasing personnel.

The LEO-T systems track satellites orbiting the Earth at an altitude
generally less than 600 miles. The systems will include an antenna, a
weather protective radome housing, and ground station equipment to support
downlink and uplink transmission capabilities.

The Wallops Flight Facility recently awarded a contract to AlliedSignal
Technical Services Corp., Columbia, MD, for one system with the option of
up to 10 LEO-T systems.

Kremer said, "Under the contract, NASA can select from a pre-determined
list of options for each terminal.  This not only allows for flexibility in
system configuration, but also allows for projects with minimal
requirements to be satisfied at an even lower cost."

The LEO-T system can be used as a single user dedicated terminal or a
multi-user system, Kremer said. In addition, the ground station is designed
for co-location with the user or can be placed in remote locations with
harsh environments to gain the maximum coverage possible from a satellite's
orbit.

The first LEO-T system will be delivered to NASA at the Poker Flat Research
Range near Fairbanks, AK, in July 1997.  This terminal will be used to
support NASA's Student Nitric Oxide Explorer (SNOE) mission with the
University of Colorado, Boulder.

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