With EGS, Air Force targets to run spaceflight software troubles to ground

COLORADO SPRINGS —

U.S. Air Force Space Command is finalizing a plan to redesign floor management systems for military satellite constellations. Current structures are afflicted by problems, person-unfriendly software programs, old cybersecurity standards, and difficulties sharing statistics in the Navy’s space organization. The troubles are well documented, but the Air Force has struggled to give you answers. Air Force Space Command’s remaining year decided that the answer is a familiar command-and-manipulate architecture called Enterprise Ground Services (EGS). In August, a memo signed with the aid of AFSC Commander Gen. John Raymond publicizes EGS as the “not unusual platform to execute satellite TV for PC operations for tactical command and control of area belongings.” EGS would require “machine-to-gadget exchanges” in all ground structures to ensure statistics may be shared. They additionally must use widely widespread messaging requirements, consistent with Raymond’s memo.

The Air Force’s 2020 finances add a new investment line for EGS, requesting $138 million to develop and test software. Legacy floor systems must transition to the EGS structure over the next decade. That consists of ground manipulation for missile warning, satellite communications, area awareness, and experimental satellites. “EGS prepares us for the day after today’s fight using growing employer resiliency and functionality,” Col. Jesse Zydallis, Enterprise Ground Services leader at the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, stated in an announcement to SpaceNews. Zydallis noted the goal is to have a “not unusual floor platform for commanding and records sharing.” Commonality might save cash on software program upgrades and expedite the refresh of software programs.

SMC is now developing the EGS Service Catalog to help authorities and industry software program builders, stated Zydallis. He said vendors could be expected to comply with the tips furnished by the EGS Service Catalog as they emerge as available. The catalog services will grow over the years. Zydallis’ office is working with every assignment location across SMC to help increase person transition plans for each ground system by November. What exactly EGS is and how it’ll affect modern space programs are now not adequately understood. Contractors expect information to inform what they must do to put together, industry sources instructed SpaceNews.

The Air Force has a spotty file with software program traits. Space ground structures are specifically challenging due to safety necessities and mission complexity, stated Jon Ludwigson, acting director of contracting and countrywide safety acquisitions issues on the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Ludwigson authored a March file documenting high-priced area software program troubles together with OCX. A subsequent-generation ground manipulates a gadget lagging in deploying the Air Force’s GPS three satellites. “The congressional defense committees are very worried,” Ludwigson stated in an interview. “In the area, the software is important to executing the missions,” GAO concluded. GAO concluded that the bad overall performance of software program applications is caused by the government’s failure to involve users early in development. Program managers don’t get enough comments from users until it’s too late or too costly to exchange the layout, Ludwigson said.

The Air Force is now moving to “agile improvement” of software to speed things up, “but they have to involve the customers loads more,” he said. “That is one of our vital findings.” He stated that the Air Force has to place software programs in customers’ fingers as regularly as possible. GAO’s findings echo what many companies have heard from customers inside the army space organization, said Michal Anne Rogondino, a former Apple government and now CEO of Rocket Communications. The San Francisco enterprise acquired an Air Force contract years ago to develop a person revel in software program tool to help builders create apps for EGS-compliant ground control systems. The user enjoys critical to the fulfillment of EGS, she said.

Rocket Communications set up a demonstration of its user experience device, referred to as Astro, at the Space Symposium. The product demonstration is geared toward army space operators and contractors seeking to broaden intuitive packages for DoD space structures. “Education approximately consumer experience in the area software program is wanted at the highest levels,” Rogondino said. “After operating with Air Force users, we realized there might be a huge need to remodel the consumer experience.”