LADO (Launch, Anomaly, and Disposal Operations), New Launch System for GPS Satellites

S.K. Gupta, O. Kirkland, B.M. Louie

Abstract:	With the advent of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) products for generic satellite command and control (C2) system, Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) decided to allow each of its various satellite programs to develop their own C2 system rather than modernize the existing mainframe-based Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN) Command and Control System (CCS). In 2002, the GPS Wing started developing LADO as its replacement for CCS. LADO is based on the latest technology and utilizes a distributed architecture. It consists of three major functions: 1) Telemetry, Tracking and Control (TT&C), 2) Mission Planning, and 3) LADO Simulation. The TT&C provides the commanding of the satellite(s), sending and receiving telemetry as well as tracking data. Mission Planning is responsible for the planning and execution of satellite maneuvers during launch and early orbit (LEO), anomaly resolution and disposal activities. The LADO Simulator provides a simulation of telemetry, commanding and selected subsystems functionality for the different block type satellites forming the GPS constellation. It also provides simulation of specified maneuvers and anomalies, as well as ground facilities utilized for the LADO mission. In October 2007, LADO transitioned to operations with the launch of GPS IIR-17(M). Since then, AFSPC crews have used LADO to dispose of GPS IIA-17 in November 2007, and launch the remaining four GPS IIR-Ms. It has also been found to be “mission capable” by AFSPC operational testers and was “operationally accepted” by HQ AFSPC/A3. Today, LADO is being used to fly up to four residual GPS IIA satellites in case of sudden onorbit failure of one of the primary satellites in the constellation and AFSPC crews are conducting launch rehearsals for the first GPS IIF satellite. This paper provides an overview of the LADO system, how it performs the LADO mission for current GPS IIR-M satellites and how it will perform for future GPS IIF satellites. In addition, this paper discusses some of the lessons learned in tailoring generic COTS products for a new satellite C2 mission.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 22nd International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2009) September 22 - 25, 2009 Savannah International Convention Center Savannah, GA
Pages:	1588 - 1597
Cite this article:	Gupta, S.K., Kirkland, O., Louie, B.M., "LADO (Launch, Anomaly, and Disposal Operations), New Launch System for GPS Satellites," Proceedings of the 22nd International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2009), Savannah, GA, September 2009, pp. 1588-1597.
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