TSAT decision slipping By Amy Butler Aviation Week February 26, 2008 The decision between Boeing and Lockheed Martin designs for the Pentagon's Transformational Satellite Communications (TSAT) program is being delayed by at least one month to June, according to Boeing officials. TSAT, a constellation of five satellites with one spare to provide jam-proof Internet protocol communications through space, was cut in the Fiscal 2009 budget request by about $4 billion through 2013. The slip in an award date reflects time needed to make adjustments to the TSAT schedule. Craig Cooning, vice president for Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems, says that initial operational capability for TSAT will likely shift to 2018. The TSAT work is expected to be worth about $7 billion, Cooning says. Development continues of a sister payload to TSAT, which will provide protected extremely high frequency connectivity over the polar regions and link into the TSAT architecture. Traditionally, polar satcom payloads are hosted on classified satellites with other missions. Though TSAT has slipped, the polar program is not expected to shift. Little is known about the competition because the National Reconnaissance Office is managing the effort. The Air Force accepted delivery of Boeing's first Wideband Global Satellite Jan. 18, and it is now undergoing tests prior to certification. WGS will provide dramatically more bandwidth on X- and Ka-bands (with a two-way link) than the existing Global Broadcast System and Defense Satellite Communication System. The Air Force plans to buy at least six WGS spacecraft with Australia signing on to participate in building the sixth. (Archives)