[SatNews] TASC supported the successful launch of the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) from Cape Canaveral Air Force Base, Florida, on February 11, 2015. TASC provided engineering mission assurance and independent verification and validation (IV&V) expertise for the Falcon 9 launch vehicle procured by the U.S. Air Force from SpaceX. DSCOVR is en route to the L1 Lagrangian point, which is located approximately 1.5 million kilometers from the Earth. Founded in 1966, TASC Inc. helps solve complex national security and public safety challenges by providing advanced systems engineering, integration and decision-support services to the intelligence community, Department of Defense and civilian agencies of the federal government.

This is the first Falcon 9 launch the Air Force has executed under its Orbital/Suborbital Program-3 contract, to which TASC is the mission assurance contractor. DSCOVR will maintain the nation's real-time solar wind monitoring capabilities, which are essential to the accuracy and timeliness of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) space weather alerts and forecasts. Without timely and accurate warnings, space weather events like the geomagnetic storms caused by changes in solar wind have the potential to disrupt nearly every major public infrastructure system, including power grids, telecommunications, aviation and GPS, according to NOAA.

 

TASC is providing the Air Force’s new Space and Missile Systems Center Advanced Systems and Development Directorate with engineering mission assurance services including independent analyses on flight software, guidance, structures, aero fluids, propulsion and avionics; mission risk assessments; in-plant test evaluations; component flight worthiness reviews; field processing oversight; launch-day console operations; and post-flight analyses. 

 

"TASC has a long history of supporting space and scientific missions, and each launch is exciting and meaningful to us," said Mark Bruno, senior vice president, TASC Space Systems Sector. "The DSCOVR mission advances weather science and helps alert our nation to weather changes that could affect the lives of millions of citizens. TASC is proud to work with NASA, NOAA and the U.S. Air Force to help the DSCOVR achieve its vision."