The "Transparent" Earth Station

Abstract

This paper describes features desirable in commercial satellite earth stations to enhance their use for DOD applications. The introduction is a challenge presented as a "wish list." The challenge is meant to stimulate thinking by the users, the carriers, and the hardware developer/ suppliers. The ultimate objective is to determine what enhancements might be accomplished and develop the specifications necessary to procure these functions within budgets for application to specific C3 missions. The summary section describes an alternate approach to interoperability that can accomplish many of the same goals of a hardware approach but at a reduced cost.