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Thinking realistically on TSAT
April 1st, 2009 | National Space Symposium | Posted by Ben Iannotta
Killing TSAT could shine the spotlight on the Wideband Global Satcom spacecraft, one of which is seen here awaiting launch.
Boeing appears to be positioning itself for the demise of the proposed Transformational Satellite Communications System (TSAT) program.
Observers here suspect TSAT is on the Obama administration’s list of defense budget cuts for 2010, a spending plan expected to be released in late April or early May.
If built as advertised, TSAT would revolutionize battlefield communications with higher data rates and communications on the move.
Lockheed Martin and Boeing have been studying its technologies under Air Force contracts. If TSAT were to stay on plan, the competition to build the first satellites would get underway this year. But few here expect that plan to proceed.
“We’re in a different economy now than when TSAT was” initiated, said Craig Cooning, Boeing’s manager for space and intelligence systems. “I think there other options that Boeing can deliver.”
Cooning said Boeing engineers are making modifications to the fourth and fifth planned Wideband Global Satcom satellites to increase their airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance coverage, for example.