A commonality approach to DoD command and control centers

For the past 25 years the Department of Defense (DoD) has become increasingly involved in the use of satellites for communications, navigation, surveillance and other missions. The support of these space missions required a growing number of ground systems which were developed essentially independent of each other. The advent of the Space Transportation System as a reusable launch vehicle and the upgrade of these centers. The potential commonality included software, hardware, procedures, training and operational concepts. Further investigation revealed excellent commonality in high level software and data processing systems. The advent of the Consolidated Space Operations Center which comprises seven segments and some co-located program elements provided even more impetus for a commonality approach to DoD command and control centers. The programs specifically addressed included the Shuttle Operations and Planning Complex, the Data System Modernization, the Global Positioning System and the Johnson Space Center (a National Aeronautics and Space Administration facility). The commonality results achieved to date and the ongoing investigation will be presented in the paper.