The United States Naval Observatory (USNO) is the U.S. Department of Defense's authoritative source for the positions and motion of celestial bodies, motions of the Earth, and precise time. In order to provide accurate and timely position, navigation, and timing (PNT) services to DoD missions and programs, the USNO strives to resolve gaps in astronomical datasets by performing astrometry and photometry of numerous stars from various remote telescopes distributed worldwide. The current USNO telescope network consists of heterogenous systems that require on-site human interaction and site-specific software applications to collect and store astronomical data. An innovative solution is required that will automate the remote collection of data from such USNO sites around the world. Numerica proposes to develop an innovative, standardized, and accredited remote telescope control software (RTC SW) application that is agnostic to the specific types of telescopes within USNO's heterogenous network of assets. The proposed RTC SW system development will leverage Numerica's experience building operational RTC SW systems such as the one that operates the Numerica Telescope Network (NTN). The RTC SW solution would comprise of an observatory automation software suite that performs command and control (C2) of the on-site telescope assets, and a sensor tasking application programming interface (API) that enables secure client-server interface between the RTC hardware (RTC HW) boxes deployed at remote telescope sites and USNO's Telescope Control System (TCS). 0xA0 0xA0
Benefit: The proposed research and development will yield direct benefit to USNO telescope operators and analysts, by providing a unified remote telescope control capability that is repeatable, affordable, and durable. One of the primary benefits resulting from deployment of the proposed RTC SW solution would be a significant reduction in labor hours spent manning and operating USNO's heterogenous telescope systems. The proposed capability will also support future plans for USNO collection of data supporting the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) programs. Commercialization opportunities exist for both (i) other Government organizations that maintain global telescope networks (e.g., the U.S. Space Surveillance Network); and (ii) Numerica's own commercial space situational awareness (SSA) network. Additional transition paths will be identified during the Phase I.
Keywords: Remote Observatories, Remote Observatories, Command and Control, Global Telescope Network, Remote Telescope Control, Sensors
