NASA News National Aeronautics and Space Administration John F. Kennedy Space Center Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899 AC 321-867-2468 ____________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________ For Release: July 15, 2003 Bruce Buckingham Kennedy Space Center, Fla. (321) 867-2468 KSC Release No. 61 - 03 STARS FLIGHT TESTS SPACE-BASED TRACKING METHODS A more effective, economical tracking and communication technology took flight today. The recent Space-based Telemetry And Range Safety (STARS) flight demonstration is one in a series of eight tests comprising Flight Demonstration 1. The tests demonstrate the capability to utilize existing space-based platforms such as the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) to provide reliable communication, telemetry and tracking for Range Safety and Range Users. Range Safety support includes flight termination processing from both space and ground assets and vehicle tracking. Range User support includes high return-link data rates for voice, video and vehicle/payload data. STARS' methods surpass existing ground-based systems for maintaining tracking and communication with space launch vehicles. According to STARS Project Manager Lisa Valencia, current practices are outdated, and very expensive to operate and maintain, and estimates show that using these new methods could reduce costs by up to $40 million per year. Valencia explained that this was a "high dynamics" flight with STARS hardware and antennas located in the aircraft. "The F-15B aircraft did rolls, loops, turns, cloverleafs, pushover-pullups, went straight up while doing a roll, and more," she said. "Some of the other tests are straight and level or short in duration. These dynamic maneuvers will help determine antenna coverage." While the hour-plus flights occur at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC), STARS work, which supports Next Generation Launch Technology (NGLT), is managed by Kennedy Space Center. DFRC provides the aircraft, the range, the control room and the Range User hardware. Goddard Space Flight Center, Wallops Flight Facility and White Sands Complex also share STARS responsibilities along with other NASA centers. "After the eight flight tests that make up Flight Demonstration 1 are complete, we will release a report. We will use the results to help us define some goals for Flight Demonstration 2 (FD2)," said Valencia. "FD2 is a series of five flight tests scheduled to take place September 2004. We are also planning to fly our STARS package on a hypersonic vehicle in 2006." NGLT combines previous Space Launch Initiative research and development efforts with cutting-edge, advanced space-transportation programs to increase the safety, reliability and cost-effectiveness associated with developing the nation's next-generation reusable launch vehicle. Visit www.sline <http://www.sline>ws.com, for further NGLT information. -- end -- ------------------------------------------------------------- For automatic email subscriptions to this KSC originated press releases, send an Internet electronic mail message to mailto:ksc-news_release-subscribe@kscnews.ksc.nasa.gov. With no subject or message. The system will reply with a confirmation via e-mail of each subscription. To remove your name from the list at any time, send an email addressed to mailto:ksc-news_release-unsubscribe@kscnews.ksc.nasa.gov . With no subject or message. or you can (un)subscribe on the World Wide Web at: http://kscnews.ksc.nasa.gov/ Status reports and other NASA publications are available on the World Wide Web at: http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/kscpao.htm .
