Space & Cyberspace

DSoft Technology facilitates the enhancement of a variety of space models and tools by either subcontracting work out to the model developers or developing capabilities using in-house software development resources. DSoft Technology provides full life-cycle software development, including system requirement analysis, design, development, documentation, and deployment of the Space Analysis Resource Portal, OPMAP, OPSIFT, SATRAK and SAINT. We use agile development processes for both in-house development as well as structure our sub-contracts with other M&S vendors to provide products to the government. We have developed strong collaborative working relationships with the M&S companies that enhanced GIANT, SEAS, SSAPAT, STORM, SLAMEM, SCORE, MARVV, EADSIM, BLADE, MASTR, NGGM, IONERR, and Space Brawler.

Program Management Tools: SharePoint, Microsoft Project

DSoft Technology provides IT and software development support to the GPS Operations Center (GPSOC). The GPSOC provides a single center of excellence for user support and GPS constellation operations. DSoft Technology provides all aspects of GPSOC IT support and system maintenance for mission critical operations by performing data management, distributed to authorized users and integration with other systems. Our properly architected and maintained IT systems provide significant automation to the GPSOC for daily operations and products, saving time and manpower while improving capacity and quality of service to customers worldwide. Support consists of:

• Configuration control and management of APDE equipment and databases.
• Enhancements, maintenance, general system/network administration, modernization and Verification and Validation (V&V) of GPS Information System (GPSIS) software suite and GPS Information Network (GIN) which includes multiple servers, web-enabled SQL Server databases and associated hardware and support architecture. All critical GIN components have hot backups with failover.
• Development of customized SharePoint site to support crew log activities.
• GPSOC website design, development, V&V and maintenance for three websites (one site on NIPRNet and two on SIPRNet).
• Integration of the GPSIS software with Architecture Evolution Plan (AEP).
• IT planning, IT design, testing and validation, component installation, component diagnostics/troubleshooting, enterprise network management, hardware and software handling/accountability, procurement, technical refresh, network administration, systems administration, storage administration, enterprise network and security operations.
• Information assurance/computer network defense, user training, and web applications. Information assurance services such as anti-virus installation, network monitoring and growth management.
• SCIF development and accreditation while maintaining the mission hardware and connectivity configuration management system.
• 24/7 Operational support for mission-critical GPS help desk for armed all armed forces.

Technologies Used: Visual Studio, SQL Server, C#, VB, ASP.Net, .Net Framework, ClearCase, ClearQuest, SharePoint, Windows Server, Cisco IOS

A growing USAF mission is to achieve cyberspace superiority. Part of that requirement includes inventorying, cataloging, understanding, and communicating the capabilities of current cyberspace Modeling and Simulation (M&S) tools and capabilities to perform Command-specific analysis of cyberspace operations, network attack courses of action and network defense capabilities. DSoft Technology is responsible for researching and assessing a variety of M&S campaign, mission, engagement and engineering tools to include STORM, SEAS, NRAT, C-REA, a-MIND, CES, JCSS, TreasureMap etc, for applicability in evaluating current and future AFSPC cyberspace missions, focusing on tools that can provide warfighter impacts to cyberspace attacks. DSoft Technology is using design of experiment (DoE) techniques as an efficient and low-cost approach to understanding which cyberspace model input factors impact the overall warfighter mission and which are less important and can be ignored. Mapping the network/infrastructure affects of cyber attacks both for defensive and offensive operations to information services and then ultimately to the specific missions is required to determine the "so what". DSoft is supporting cyberspace analysis of the Knowledge Operations Analysis of Alternatives evaluating the defensive posture of those solutions for a variety of cyberspace threats. Additionally, DSoft Technology is conducting military utility analysis of a variety of techniques and technologies to affect computer information systems through Deceive, Deny, Disrupt, Degrade, Destroy (D5) effects against Integrated Air Defense Systems (IADS) using some of the evaluated tools. Both analyses focus on the impact to the warfighter.

Technologies Used: Modeling and Simulation Tools, Design of Experiments, Analyses, Verification, Validation and Accreditation

SATRAK (v7) is the replacement for SATRAK (v6), a legacy DOS application. SATRAK generates ground site look angles and ground traces of earth orbiting satellites. The new version provides a modern and interactive graphical user interface (GUI) suited for current Windows operating systems. SATRAK (v7) was created using the Space Analysis INtegration Toolkit (SAINT), to demonstrate the complexity of tools that can be built and deployed with SAINT. The new version allows analysts to exercise various Astrodynamic Standards (SGP4 -Satellite General Perturbations 4, LAMOD - Look Angle Module, SimOrb - Orbit simulation, Decay - Satellite decay & lifetime using King-Hele, BLUE - Bob's Launch Update Ensemble, Sensor Coverage) and view the results on a 2D map, 3D globe, as plain text and/or as tabular data. The tabular data provides advanced sorting, filtering, and grouping capabilities as well as rules-based conditional formatting. An XY plotting tool was also integrated into SATRAK to evaluate changes to a particular satellite's orbit or to perform statistical analysis on the satellite catalogue using Two Line Element (TLE) data. In addition to the integrated 3D view in SATRAK, a NASA WorldWind plug-in has also been developed to show satellite orbits.

Technologies used: .Net(C#), WinForms, SAINT

The Space Analysis INtegration Toolkit (SAINT) is a toolkit and framework that allows a user to create a new application by combining SAINT components, assemblies, and applications. A key element of the framework is the inclusion of the Air Force Space Command (AFSPC), Astrodynamic Standard(s), Algorithm(s) Library (ASAL), and other algorithms developed by AFSPC/A9. Currently SAINT includes components and assemblies for SGP4 - Satellite General Perturbations 4, SP - Specialized Perturbations, LAMOD - Look Angle Module, SimOrb - Orbit simulation, Decay - Satellite decay & lifetime using King-Hele and BLUE - Bob's Launch Update Ensemble. COMBO - Computation of Miss Between Orbits and ROTAS - Report/Observation Association) algorithms are being added this year.

The framework part of SAINT is an object oriented .Net API built around the ASAL and other algorithms to include model classes that represent satellites, sensors, output data and service classes that allow easy and fast execution of the algorithms. SAINT is the ideal toolkit for building space analysis applications as it is flexible and facilitates the development of tailored applications in a short period (approximately one to three days depending upon the complexity of the application).

The toolkit integrates with Visual Studio (VS) as it adds a specialized SAINT project template and adds components to the VS toolbox that the developer / analyst can drag and drop to quickly built tailored applications. Full access to the SAINT API is available as well. Built into the toolkit are data utilities to persist data inputs and outputs in a variety of formats including eXtensible Markup Language (XML) and Microsoft™ Excel. Input components for all major algorithms are included as well as 2D and 3D visualization, grid, plotting and plain text components that can be connected to the output of the ASAL components to display sensor coverage and satellite orbits.

Technologies used: .Net (C#), MVC, WinForms, XML, OpenGL

The AFSPC Space Analysis division desired a net-centric web portal that would allow the Joint modeling and simulation communities the ability to record and share information about space and cyberspace models and simulations, provide access to an electronic library of studies and analysis associated with those models and simulations and to record and share authoritative information and data about space systems to include satellites, launch vehicles, missiles, space sites and space-related environmental information. The portal also includes a forum to assist collaboration within the national space community allowing users to exchange information about models/simulations and studies/analysis and to share practical experience gained from using those models/simulations. Other portal features include an events calendar, announcements/news page, file upload/download capabilities for the distribution of space specific software and/or data files, the ability to specify and mass email groups of users, and the means to perform portal/user administration on-line.

Search capabilities were incorporated to find models/simulations based on their scope/application/mission area etc., metrics or overall usage or to find a study based on user input variables or metrics. For example, a search on PNT will find information related to the model GIANT, GPS Interference and Navigation Tool and studies evaluating the GPS constellation. Because of the various users and levels of security required, the information presented and navigation available were designed to be subject to account/role access.

DSoft Technology project responsibilities include full life-cycle software development, including system requirement analysis, design, development, documentation, and deployment of the Space Analysis Resource Portal. In addition, DSoft provides management and technical expertise to AFSPC Space Analysis on the evaluation of models and simulations using proven techniques and processes. After the original portal was released, the AFSPC Space Analysis recognized a deficiency in the way space was represented in various war games and other decision making activities. To ensure that space is represented accurately and also to promote efficiency by sharing information and data, DSoft added a database of authoritative space information categorized by year from 2007 through 2020 that supports operators, trainers, testers, and analysts. As well, DSoft developed a repository of data source meta-data and accompanying search functionality. Moreover, SARP provides an interface to the Web-Based Interface for Satellite Assessment & Research Dissemination (WISARD) tool which is the primary repository for all satellite data used by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Directed Energy Directorate (RD) Satellite Assessment Center (SatAC). AFSPC also had DSoft establish, as part of SARP, the automation of Astrodynamic Standards Software distribution workflow, which complies with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) regulations for traceability. Click to see an illustration for the many organizations served by SARP.

SARP is deployed on the Unclassified but Sensitive Internet Protocol (IP) Router Network (NIPRNet), Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNet), and soon on the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System (JWICS).

Throughout its lifecycle, SARP has effectively employed DSoft's formal Configuration Management (CM) process for establishing and maintaining the consistency of performance, functional, and physical attributes of its requirements, design, and operational information. This process is documented in the SARP Configuration Management Plan. Configuration of the project at any point in time is maintained in Subversion (SVN). SARP maintains a strict release schedule and each release is tagged. Change requests (CRs) are tracked in a database and a recurring customer Configuration Control Board (CCB) evaluates all enhancements, issues and change requests and their subsequent approval or disapproval. SARP's use of DSoft's iterative and incremental Agile development process and complementary SCRUM management system promotes evolutionally delivery which encourages rapid and flexible response to change. DSoft utilizes best practices and strives to meet Federal 508 accessibly guidelines.

Technologies used: Microsoft™ Visual Studio 2008, 2010, Subversion (SVN), Microsoft™ ASP.NET 3.5, C#, AJAX, jQuery, javascript , HTML, XML, Telerik r.a.d. Controls for ASP.NET AJAX, Microsoft™ SQL Server 2000, Sybase® PowerDesigner, Grape City® ActiveReports, Adobe® Acrobat® PDF Filter , Microsoft™ Windows Server 2003, Microsoft™ Access Database Engine (ACE.OLEDB.12.0) , Microsoft™ Internet Information Server (IIS) V6.1, V7, and SSL

The GPS Operational Performance Mapping Availability Program was built to support a new AFSPC initiative to develop a software tool that produces global or regional color maps displaying various space system performance metrics. The geographic maps generated by OPMAP include coast line data. The user can identify the location and geographic distribution of various features in the space system performance metrics based on the data. The tool generates maps for any year and month. The typical metric to be displayed is the rate at which a given service threshold is met. Initially, this tool is intended to handle the four (4) major space force enhancement missions: Satellite Communications, Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT), Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance, and Environmental Monitoring.

OPMAP has been integrated with the Launch Information Support Network (LISN) to download launch schedules. Accompanying the color maps is a time-line displaying the time series of a suitable rolled up statistic for the globe. This would typically be the average service availability for the whole earth. This time-line comes with a track bar for the user to choose any particular year or date of interest. The map displayed will correspond to the year or date chosen, and ability to animate the maps as changed over time. During this animation, the track-bar slides to the right indicating the year or date of the map-frame currently being displayed within the animation.

OPMAP can be used in assessing the impact of losing or gaining specific satellites (or ground stations) on the relevant performance metrics for day-to-day command and control operations, as well as the impact of various Courses of Action. It can be used for the Integrated Planning Process and other planning activities. It can also support Capabilities Based Assessments as well as acquisition analyses such as Analysis of Alternatives and trade studies. Recently it has been used to examine a number of different GPS constellation configurations.

 Technologies used: Visual Studio, C#, Windows Forms, .NET Framework

The Operational Profile for the Survival of Individual Functional Tasks (OPSIFT) program is a system for predicting Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite availability over a specific time period. The system is used primarily to support constellation replenishment planning decisions. The primary output of OPSIFT is a series of availability graphs based on the GPS missions the constellation can support.

Late-model GPS satellites are capable of performing not only Position, Navigation, and Timing missions, but also four additional missions related to various new radio signal types as follows:

• L1C - New civilian signal available on Block III and later GPS satellites
• L2C - New civilian signal available on Block IIR-M and later GPS satellites
• L5 - New Safety-of-Life signal available on Block IIF and later GPS satellites
• M-Code - New military signal available on Block IIR-M and later GPS satellites

These additional missions need to be managed to effectively predict life expectancy of a given satellite. OPSIFT provides a framework to make predictions in terms of individual mission capabilities both at the constellation and individual satellite levels. Mission availability results for individual satellites are produced and may be used as the basis for inputs to other programs requiring operational mission availability assessments. Mission availability predictions take into account reliability models, launch schedules, and operational weights assigned to each mission capability.

OPSIFT was developed in a way to provide insight into the component-level reliability models for personnel that use, approve, and formulate reliability parameters. The entry of component-level parameters provides an understanding of how satellites are predicted to fail and enables calculations for power management. This in turn allows users to compare the predicted failure models against operational experience and expectations. Expert users can also assess the sensitivity of individual satellite reliability and overall constellation availability predictions to modifications made at the component-level. Evidence of high sensitivity to component-level models is an indicator of meaningful uncertainty in the results and should be considered in their interpretation.

Although OPSIFT was first used to model the reliability and effective availability of the NAVSTAR GPS satellite constellation it can be used to model other satellite constellations as well. From communications to surveillance to any constellation which requires a minimum performance level. Any satellite constellation where a minimum number of satellites are required to fulfill a particular mission or produce proper results and effective coverage. OPSIFT can be used to produce intuitive graphical analysis.

Technologies used: Visual Studio, C#, Windows Forms, .NET Framework

The Cost Schedule Performance (CSP) Application was developed as a display tool to assist senior leaders in making space system portfolio decisions and support the Department of Defense (DoD) Program Objective Memorandum (POM) process. Specifically, the CSP Application was designed to view the overall Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) Total Obligation Authority (TOA) while also visualizing how the TOA is broken out among military systems of interest while displaying performance and launch information. Data for the CSP Application is supplied from the AeroSpace Integrated Investment Software (ASIIS) graphical user interface (GUI), a separate Microsoft Excel-based workbook application which includes several worksheets of TOA model solution data. Rather than simply presenting the input ASIIS data, the CSP Application allows an analyst to edit the schedule of individual systems. Following a system adjustment, the overall TOA cost and performance values are recalculated and presented immediately, so the analyst can witness the effects of individual edits without waiting to re-run the entire data set. The CSP Application is a Windows forms-based application that provides a visual and intuitive GUI for adjusting system schedules and a flexible presentation layer with several charts for results. CSP has been approved to operate on Department of Defense networks (NIPRNet and SIPRNet).

Technologies used: Visual Studio, C#, SQLite, Subversion, Spring Framework with Hibernate, StyleCop, FxCop, .NET Framework

OSCARS is a satellite constellation management and analysis tool. OSCARS models and evaluates satellite subcomponent life, launch schedules, constellation health, and satellite planes. It uses Monte Carlo approach to model satellite and subcomponent failure dates using reliability functions.

Provided business process and database analysis of existing Space Battle Manager database for the reengineering effort.

LISN is a space vehicle, spacecraft and launch scheduling database and associated user interfaces. It provides web-based interfaces for Space Wings to report daily launch schedule and status of US military, commercial and civil launches as well as 13-year launch forecasts for the Nation. The Quarterback Database, now a national asset, contains all planned and historical space launches, associated booster and combatant command satellite life expectancy data.

As a consultant to Northrop Grumman Information Technology, DSoft Technology performed a detailed functionality assessment of the Area Security Operations Command and Control (ASOCC) tool suite. Using a peer-to-peer network architecture, ASOCC provides homeland security event and alert management, situational awareness through a mapping and graphical information system, and collaborative communication capability. DSoft Technology also performed system operator duties for the JWID04 exercise.

DSoft Technology built the GPS Analysis Tool to help forecast median GPS Position Dilution of Precision as a function of the number of satellites on orbit based on a statistical analysis of median coverage. The GPS Analysis Tool interfaces with OSCARS 2000.

The assignment included developing long term launch date forecasts for GPS and SBIRS military satellite systems to include using computerized forecasting tools, published acquisition schedules and launch base capacities to determine required on-orbit replenishment schedules.

In support of AFSPC/XPY, DSoft Technology is providing software expertise and services for the AFSPC Astrodynamic Standard Software. AFSPC developed Astrodynamic Standard Software to emulate the operational astrodynamic algorithms used by the Space Control Center (SCC) in the Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center. This was done to help ensure interoperability, reduce future software development and sustainment costs, and provide the ability to more easily upgrade the SCC algorithms. DSoft Technology is responsible for software support and configuration management of these standards.

DSoft Technology is providing modeling and simulation, investment strategy and software support planning for implementation of an AFSPC M&S toolkit. Our key staff and organizational experiences in planning and managing military and space M&S programs are providing an exemplary space M&S requirements baseline and complementary investment plan for AFSPC to manage the AFSPC M&S toolkit going forward.

DSoft Technology provided Blue, Red and Gray space orders of battle, futures scenario development and evaluation of space scenarios for development of next generation of the Lightning simulation.

DSoft Technology assisted AFSPC/XPXP by providing support to the AFSPC/XP to develop, critique and organize the 4-Star Capabilities Review and Risk Assessment (CRRA) action items in while working with Air Staff and SMC to incorporate space capabilities into the full spectrum of combat capability. The result was a much stronger focus on space capabilities than what had been originally proposed by Air Staff. Additionally, DSoft Technology assisted AFSPC/A8XT in re-writing the AFSPCI61-101 to reflect customer needs for an S&T instruction re-organized into a handbook style and USAF corporate changes in technology transition.