The Space Network Ground Segment is part of NASA's Space Network. The agency's Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS) comprise the space segment. The network provides the resources for global space-to-ground telecommunications and tracking coverage for low Earth orbit and near-Earth robotic and human spaceflight missions.
The Space Network Ground Segment includes facilities and systems located at the White Sands Complex at Las Cruces, N.M., Guam Remote Ground Terminal at Guam, and the Space Network Expansion East at Blossom Point, Md.
Under the Space Network Ground Segment Sustainment contract, General Dynamics will modernize the ground segment to enable the Space Network to continue to deliver high quality services, meet stakeholder requirements, and significantly reduce required operations and maintenance resources.
The work includes replacing obsolete systems, creating a more flexible and expandable architecture, facilitating the integration of NASA's Space Communications and Navigation networks, addressing customer requirements and advances in technology, and implementing new methods and capabilities for using the TDRS to support Space Network user spacecraft.
It also includes expanding and improving the methods for Space Network user control centers to interface with the Space Network Ground Segment for data and service planning and control, and maintaining long-term operational performance, reliability and maintainability.