Tactical Satellite 3 CDL Communications, a Communications Link for Mission Utility

Tactical Satellites (TacStas) are part of the Operational Responsive Space (ORS) demonstration program to develop rapid response, low cost, small satellites, whose payloads support real-time data delivery to the combatant commander. As each TacSat is developed, further knowledge is gained towards the end operational systems. Common Data Link (CDL) is the Office of Secretary of Defense´s (OSD) mandated standard wideband communications waveform for Intelligence Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) in airborne platforms. In supporting this standard, the military has numerous air, sea and ground CDL systems for theater connectivity. While CDL is the standard for airborne ISR, it was not implemented in space until TacSat-2 launched on December 16, 2006. TacSat-2´s CDL payload supports a 274 Mbps downlink and a 200 Kbps uplink. A CDL system in space brings tactical ISR data directly into existing theater ground stations, allowing for responsive tasking and collection. Spring 2008, another CDL communications payload will be launched on TacSat-3. TacSat-3 takes the CDL communications payload a step further with networking capability and multiple data rates to continue demonstrating direct theater tasking, collection and dissemination. The satellite will support a 274 Mbps downlink data rate in addition to lower data rates for potential Remote Operated Video Enhanced Receiver (ROVER) connectivity. Rover III is a portable receive-only terminal that displays sensor data from multiple airborne platforms across Ku, C, and L-Band with over 2000 units in use. Each CDL payload delivered was based on utilizing an existing airborne design.