Logistics in space

   The Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) is taking the reins on a U.S. Air Force (USAF) contract for space-based logistics management support, a $36 million contract around engineering and budget analysis plus the evaluation of sustainment issues.
   The task, which falls under the USAF’s Space and Missile Systems Center’s Space Logistics Directorate, will include making recommendations on space-based systems from communications and weather satellite to missile warning systems. SAIC has to provide support around these from parts and structural issues to training recommendations and user interface approaches.
   It may be space-based, but the logistics challenges for SAIC are going to be .
   There are major industries dedicated to finding, securing, and providing replacement parts, but companies still often find themselves in a situation where a replacement part is no longer available. While in this instance companies have some wiggle room in finding alternatives, most would prefer to find and use parts that will outlast the overall need or general life expectancy of the device as a whole.
   SAIC is aiming for the latter when it comes to these satellite recommendations, because once they’re launched there is typically no chance to make repairs or adjustments. Typically for space-based systems, once you’re up in the air it either works or its scrap.
   Even when replacement parts are available and the satellites are in an area that’s serviceable, SAIC said that the availability of parts is always an issue. The company said that the vast majority of parts, especially alternatives, are made with the Earth in mind, so each situation must be tested with a variety of special conditions in mind.
   And lastly, SAIC is going to have to provide or point to smart satellite systems that do a good job of reporting both intended and internal measurements. Many satellites orbit within the thermosphere, where the air is extremely thin and changes in density are often enough to create significant drag forces on satellites. Engineers have to take this into account not only when establishing the orbits of satellites, but also must develop the ability for a satellite to boost itself higher to offset this drag pulling it back to Earth.