General Dynamics Mission Systems received a contract from the U.S. Navy to restore and maintain a satellite system simulator for students at the Naval Postgraduate School, Spacecraft Research and Design Center / Adaptive Optics Center of Excellence.

The simulator, a model of a Navy Fleet Satellite (FLTSAT) communications satellite, will help students hone their skills in managing the technical aspects of space systems including satellite command, control and communications and troubleshooting satellite and constellation anomalies.

The simulator, a model of a Navy Fleet Satellite (FLTSAT) communications satellite, will help students hone their skills in managing the technical aspects of space systems including satellite command, control and communications and troubleshooting satellite and constellation anomalies.
Artistic rendition of the satellite is courtesy of GDMS.

The General Dynamics team also supports instructors teaching a wide range of space-related topics to Naval Postgraduate School students from across the U.S. Department of Defense. The academic programs include mastery of the technical aspects of space systems including design, development, installation and maintenance of spacecraft, space payloads, supporting earth stations, terminals and command, control and communications connectivity.

The General Dynamics NAVSOC team is located at Naval Air Station, Point Mugu, Calif., supporting the Navy's operation of the FLTSAT and Ultra-high Frequency Follow-on communication satellite constellations. Recently, the team completed all on orbit testing for the Navy's new Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite communications system before it was turned over to the Navy for day-to-day operations.

The Naval Postgraduate School is a graduate university offering masters and doctoral degrees in more than 70 fields of study to the U.S. Armed Forces, Department of Defense civilians and international partners.

Manny Mora, a VP and GM of General Dynamics Mission Systems, said that the General Dynamics Naval Satellite Operations Center (NAVSOC) team has worked with the Naval Postgraduate School for more than 10 years. Updating the simulator to perform just like the actual system is a tremendous training opportunity for these advanced degree students. They will have a realistic, 'hands-on' learning experience, while the company supports the development of future U.S. DoD space engineers and leaders.

General Dynamics Mission Systems is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD). For more information about General Dynamics Mission Systems, please visit  and follow us on Twitter @GDMS.