Legacy Systems: Keeping Older Satellite Systems Operating

 

System Performance Matters

Sustaining legacy commercial and government systems involves a multi-layered approach, says Welsh. AGI does not directly sustain legacy systems, although its commercial off-the-shelf software products often are used to provide additional functions and capabilities, a very important element in the Pentagon’s master plan for space superiority. This extends to all space situational awareness applications, along with offensive and defensive counter-space measures. AGI software can be found at the U.S. Air Force’s 22nd Space Operations Squadron and at the Naval Satellite Operations Center, where AGI business partners Applied Defense Solutions and Maxim Systems have integrated AGI software to support the geostationary flight dynamics workflow for operations.

“The [Space Operations Squadron] uses AGI products for the Air Force Satellite Control Network scheduling,” says Welsh. “In particular, AGI’s STK/Conjunction Analysis Tools evaluates all routine collision avoidance data for the approximately 80 [Department of Defense] satellites controlled by the [Satellite Control Network]. This can turn around this data in minutes when it previously had required days,” he says.

AGI stresses user friendliness to reduce headaches during a transition. When the Naval Satellite Operations Center needed a much more accurate orbit determination system, a new graphical user interface system was created for maneuver planning, orbit determination, product generation and collision avoidance. In addition, the system was automated to produce a variety of products necessary for the operations of the satellites, says Welsh.

Customers Can Get Too Attached To Software

While you might think that companies that depend upon satellites for their cash flow would be quick to embrace the latest versions of software, this often is not the case. Many customers wait years before taking advantage of new software products simply because they are happy with the release they have.
“Customers are happy with the systems that we provide, so they tend to avoid the software upgrade process just to access new features, even though this new software is free under our software support program,” says James Kramer, director of commercial command and control systems for Maryland-based Integral Systems Inc. Upgrades occur usually within three to five years, driven either by a satellite fleet expansion or by hardware obsolescence. “In the case of hardware obsolescence, the fact is that as quickly as hardware technology evolves today, maintaining legacy hardware can often be more economically challenging than buying modern, more capable hardware,” says Kramer. “When performing such a hardware refresh, customers often will upgrade to the latest Integral Systems software available at the time of the refresh.”

Synchronizing satellites, ground infrastructure and support staff on the ground can be a challenge, too. While a typical geostationary satellite has a lifespan of 15 years, the experience curve on the ground might be considerably shorter. “Our people can help to sustain these legacy systems as well as mentor a customer’s less experienced personnel in the operation of these legacy systems,” says Ed Larson, president of California-based Legacy Engineering LLC, which specializes in providing senior technical and management professionals who have retired from the aerospace and defense industries to consult on older systems. “Often times these individuals are supporting systems that they were involved with when they were full-time direct employees.”

Companies often are challenged to identify certain key competencies and skill sets that are fundamental to continued support of their legacy systems. This involves identifying the right skill sets at a time when there are not enough experienced and knowledgeable professionals to go around and when the outside veteran talent in question might not be inclined to commit to a full-time schedule. “HR [human resources] organizations and hiring managers need to be flexible and creative as they staff their teams,” says Larson. “For example, some of our people are interested in working a reduced schedule, say three days a week. However, the knowledge, history and productivity they bring to the team can far outweigh their less-than-full-time availability.”
Supporting the proposal and development phase of new systems or upgrades to legacy systems also is important, says Larson. “In some cases, the individual is familiar with the resident technology and processes,” says Larson. “In other cases, the company is looking for an outside perspective and we can provide that, too.”

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