45th SW launches 3rd Mobile User Objective System satellite

by 45th Space Wing
Public Affairs

1/20/2015 - CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. -- The U.S. Air Force's 45th Space Wing successfully launched the third Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite, built by Lockheed Martin, for the U.S. Navy at 8:04 p.m. from Launch Complex 41 Jan. 20.

The United Launch Alliance-built Atlas V rocket flew in the 5-5-1 vehicle configuration with a five-meter fairing, five solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage.

MUOS is the next generation narrowband military satellite communication system that supports a worldwide, multi-service population of users in the ultra-high frequency band. The system provides increased communications capabilities to smaller terminals while still supporting interoperability with legacy terminals. MUOS is designed to support users who require greater mobility, higher data rates and improved operational availability.

MUOS-1 was placed into operational use for legacy terminal users in November 2012. MUOS-2 was launched in July 2013, and the next MUOS launch is planned for August 2015, according to the Navy Communications Satellite Program Office.

The system will undergo Multiservice Operational Test and Evaluation in December 2015 and will achieve Full Operational Capability in 2017.

MUOS adapts a commercial third generation Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) cellular technology with geosynchronous satellites to provide a new and more capable UHF military SATCOM system.

The MUOS program includes a satellite constellation of four operational satellites (plus one on-orbit spare), a ground control and network management system, and the new WCDMA waveform for user terminals.

In addition, MUOS will provide greater than 10 times the communications bandwidth capacity over the current UHF constellation.

Col. Shawn Fairhurst, 45th Space Wing Vice Commander, served as the Launch Decision Authority for this vitally important mission.

"Congratulations to Team Patrick-Cape, our U.S. Navy partners, United Launch Alliance, Lockheed Martin and all our other mission partners for ensuring another successful mission, our No. 1 priority here at the 45th Space Wing," said Col. Fairhurst. "This was the second launch of approximately two dozen missions we have scheduled on the Eastern Range for 2015. The success of every mission is due to the teamwork of all involved."

"We are very proud of the team and mission partners we have here," he said, "who flawlessly deliver vital space capabilities for our Nation."

AFRL researcher teams with Nobel Laureate to enable new breed of rocket component materials

by Holly Jordan
Air Force Research Laboratory

1/21/2015 - WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio. -- Air Force Research Laboratory scientist Dr. Rusty Blanski recently teamed with Dr. Robert Grubbs, a Nobel Laureate from the California Institute of Technology to develop a groundbreaking new technology that could reduce erosion in metallic rocket components, reduce production costs and open the door for the use of new, environmentally-friendly propellants.

Working under the Air Force Office of Scientific Research's Visiting Scientist Program and a Cooperative Research and Development project with Caltech, Blanski, an expert in the field of oxidation-resistant materials, worked side-by-side with Grubbs, an expert in organometallic and synthetic catalysts. Through this collaboration, the two researchers sought to study techniques that could create a new class of olefin metathesis catalysts and allow the development of new and more affordable oxidation-resistant metal coatings for rocket engine components.

Oxidation is an issue in rocket engines and components because their extreme operational environments, including temperatures that can reach 3500 degrees Fahrenheit, accelerate oxidation, causing premature erosion and weakening of components. In the past, exotic metals that are capable of surviving such extreme conditions have been used for these components, making the parts difficult to manufacture and very costly.

Blanski developed the organometallic precursors for a process called Supercritical Chemical Fluid Deposition, which allows the deposition of a layer of oxidation-resistant metal, such as iridium or nickel, onto almost any metal surface. This process allows uniform coating on even small, intricate parts and thin slots, so that the entire surface is protected. This process makes possible the use of less expensive, lighter and more easily-obtainable component materials.

Through their collaborative efforts at Caltech, Blanski and Grubbs developed new precursors and synthetic methodologies to allow the process to be further refined to allow the deposition to occur at lower temperatures, which increases the metal deposit yield and speeds the coating process.

This coating technology can be applied to catalyst bed-plates used to create a protective surface for chemically-induced, in-space thrusters. This work is important because currently there is no type of catalyst bed that can withstand the oxidation environment necessary for the AFRL-developed AF-M315 Green Monopropellant. Using the precursors developed through Blanski's and Grubbs' work could enable the use of this and other types of environmentally-friendly propellants for in-space propulsion.

Additionally, the oxidation protection enabled by this process could also be used for other rocket components such as nozzle walls or combustion chambers, to protect the cooling channels from eroding. Turbine engines may also benefit from this technology.

Blanski says the collaboration was an exciting opportunity that offered benefits for both sides. 

"It was a wonderful experience working in Bob's labs and interacting with him and his highly talented research group," says Blanski. "It is also a true win-win collaboration, where the Air Force receives technology from Caltech and Caltech benefits with the development of a new class of olefin metathesis catalysts."

Caltech recently filed a joint provisional patent on behalf of Blanski and Grubbs to allow for future development and potential commercial use of this technology.

Third Member of International Computer Hacking Ring Pleads Guilty to Hacking and Intellectual Property Theft Conspiracy

A third member of an international computer hacking ring has pleaded guilty to conspiring to break into computer networks of prominent technology companies to steal more than $100 million in intellectual property and other proprietary data.

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Charles M. Oberly III of the District of Delaware and Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office made the announcement.

Nathan Leroux, 20, of Bowie, Maryland, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit computer intrusions and criminal copyright infringement based on his role in the cyber theft of software and data related to the Xbox One gaming console and Xbox Live online gaming system, and popular games such as the “FIFA” online soccer series; “Call of Duty:  Modern Warfare 3;” and “Gears of War 3.”  Leroux has been in custody since attempting to flee into Canada from Buffalo, New York, on June 16, 2014.  A sentencing hearing is set before U.S. District Judge Judge Gregory M. Sleet of the District of Delaware on May 14, 2015.

Sanadodeh Nesheiwat, 28, of Washington, New Jersey, and David Pokora, 22, of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, previously pleaded guilty to the same conspiracy charge on Sept. 30, 2014.  They remain in custody pending their sentencing hearings, which are scheduled for April 2015.  Pokora’s guilty plea is believed to have been the first conviction of a foreign-based individual for hacking into U.S. businesses to steal trade secret information.  Charges against a fourth defendant, Austin Alcala, 19, of McCordsville, Indiana, remain pending.

According to Leroux’s admissions in connection with his guilty plea, he was part of the hacking conspiracy between January 2011 and September 2012.  During that period, hacking group members located in the United States and abroad gained unauthorized access to computer networks of various companies, including Microsoft Corporation, Epic Games Inc., Valve Corporation and Zombie Studios.  The conspirators accessed and stole unreleased software, software source code, trade secrets, copyrighted and pre-release works, and other confidential and proprietary information.  Members of the conspiracy also allegedly stole financial and other sensitive information relating to the companies – but not their customers – and certain employees of such companies.

Specifically, the data theft targeted software development networks containing source code, technical specifications and related information for Microsoft’s then-unreleased Xbox One gaming console, as well as intellectual property and proprietary data related to Xbox Live and games developed for that online gaming system.

Leroux admitted in court that he and others used the stolen intellectual property to build, and attempt to sell, counterfeit versions of the Xbox One console before its public release in November 2013.  In July 2013, the FBI intercepted a counterfeit console built by Leroux, which was destined for the Republic of Seychelles.

Leroux also admitted that he developed a software exploit that allowed him and others to generate millions of “coins” for the FIFA soccer games playable on the Xbox Live platform.  These coins are the virtual, in-game currency used to build a “FIFA Ultimate Team” in the games.  Without the authorization of Electronic Arts, the intellectual property rights holder to the FIFA games, Leroux and others sold bulk quantities of the “FIFA coins” via online black markets.

The value of the intellectual property and other data stolen by the hacking ring, as well as the costs associated with the victims’ responses to the conduct, is estimated to range between $100 million and $200 million.  To date, the United States has seized over $620,000 in cash and other proceeds related to the charged conduct.

This case is being investigated by the FBI, with assistance from the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Canada Border Services Agency, the Western Australia Police and the Peel Regional Police of Ontario, Canada.  The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney James Silver of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. McAndrew of the District of Delaware.      

Lessons learned in protecting social media accounts

By Brig. Gen. Kathleen Cook, Director of Public Affairs, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force / Published January 15, 2015

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- On a Saturday afternoon in late November, I was informed about a political remark that appeared on my Director of Public Affairs Twitter feed. A staff member called to ask if I was aware of the re-tweet. At the time, I was on leave, out of the state, tending to my daughter who had had surgery the day before. I was unaware of the retweet and when told of its substance, I arranged for a member of my staff to remove the tweet from the feed.

As far as how a tweet was unknowingly re-tweeted from my organizational account, we do not have a definitive answer. I realize this response may be unfulfilling to some, but it’s the truth. That said, as the owner of the account, I accept responsibility for its content.

What is clear is we’ve learned several lessons about protecting the security of social media accounts. Granted the lessons aren’t new, but it’s my hope that by highlighting them just one more time, others might avoid similar incidents.

- If you assume an organizational/positional account from a predecessor, change the password. Also, find out who else has/had access and determine if additional administrators are necessary.

- Make sure your password is difficult and not predictable.

- If others post on your behalf, consider having them include their initials behind their input.

- Never store passwords on a shared drive.

- Always log out and lock your device before walking away, putting it down, or tossing it in your pocket or purse.

In the end, what I know to be true is that the account belongs to me and I accept responsibility for it. I’ve applied the lessons above to safeguard both my personal and professional accounts and encourage every Airman reading this to do the same.

Nuclear satellite terminal upgrade to begin operational testing

by Justin Oakes
66th Air Base Group Public Affairs

1/14/2015 - HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- The nuclear satellite communication terminals that connect U.S. leaders to Minuteman combat crews in the event of a nuclear attack are currently undergoing an upgrade and scheduled to begin operational testing this month.

Simply put, the Air Force will be updating its intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM, communication systems located in the ICBM Launch Control Centers. This is an effort led by the Minuteman Minimum Essential Emergency Communications Network Program Upgrade team, or MMPU for short, at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. MMPU will be the first Air Force Advanced Extremely High Frequency terminal fielded in support of the new AEHF satellite architecture.

Using extremely high frequency signals from a Milstar satellite, current terminals receive emergency action messages and serve as the primary SATCOM system for ICBM LCCs. The development of the AEHF satellite constellation to replace Milstar requires the Air Force to upgrade its hardware to support AEHF operations.

According to program officials, the month-long operational testing period will determine how well the new equipment operates in the field while running on active networks.

"The end result is an upgrade that will bring numerous benefits, including an expansion in capability, enhanced operator control and a state-of-the-art security architecture," said Brett Fagan, MMPU program manager. "For example, backwards compatibility is crucial. After we modify the existing EHF terminals, we will be able to communicate with both AEHF satellite and Milstar EHF constellations."

One of the most notable capability improvements comes in the form of data rate transfers. Under the AEHF satellite constellation, messages are transmitted many times faster than the current Milstar system.

In addition to increased data rates, MMPU will provide a state-of-the-art nuclear security architecture.

"When dealing with nuclear assets, it goes without saying that having the most up-to-date security technology is critical," Fagan said. "The upgraded terminals will be equipped with the latest crypto modifications and modern crypto key designs."

Another key difference between the legacy system and MMPU's version pertains specifically to Minuteman combat crew operators -- MMPU gives them more control. LCC operators will now have the ability to switch satellites through the terminal, eliminating the need for maintenance crew dispatch to change the terminal communication plans.

"Many LCCs are not easy to get to, so the ability to avoid the dispatch of maintenance teams for routine tasks ensures a more seamless mission capability," Fagan said.

MMPU program officials remain optimistic that the upgrade will reach initial operational capability in early 2016. Ultimately, the team intends to modify all the terminals within the LCCs managed by three bases: Malmstrom AFB, Mont.; F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.; and Minot AFB, N.D.

"MMPU provides our national leadership with an advanced, secure and agile C3 capability for our ICBM forces, and will greatly enhance crew communications,"  said Col. Todd Krueger, Space, Aerial and Nuclear Networks Division senior materiel leader. "A successful operational test is the last major step before fielding this critical system. We are ready to go, and I'm confident we will succeed."

AEDC celebrates successful launch of NASA Orion

by Deidre Ortiz
Arnold Engineering Development Complex Public Affairs

1/13/2015 - ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. -- NASA achieved a major milestone in completing the Orion spacecraft's first voyage to space recently.

Having had a hand in testing the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, Arnold Engineering Development Complex is also celebrating this accomplishment.

Mounted atop the United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket, Orion launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex 37 at 7:05 a.m. EST on Dec. 5, 2014.

AEDC project engineer Nathan Payne, who coordinated the testing for Orion in support of NASA Exploration Flight Test-1, stated he's pleased the flight went smoothly because, even with the amount of testing that went into prepping the spacecraft, these events are unpredictable.

"Space flight is still risky, so to have a successful first launch was a relief," he said. "There are a lot of people looking over data we took here and doing checks to ensure data quality, but stuff still happens."

Payne's sentiments of the flight were similar to those of Mark Geyer, Orion program manager.

"We had the models and we have the best people on the planet, but until you fly it, you don't know," Geyer said.

A 5.9 percent scale model of the Orion crew capsule mounted on the Delta IV booster was tested in the 16-foot transonic wind tunnel at AEDC in preparation for the spacecraft's initial flight. The AEDC test team, along with a United Launch Alliance team led by Mike Schoonmaker, gathered dynamic pressure and steady state pressure data from the model.

In addition to flight testing, AEDC Tunnel 9 test facility in White Oak, Md., was used in early 2007 during a NASA-sponsored aerothermal test on a scale model to obtain heating data over the model's surface. That same year NASA once again teamed up with AEDC engineers to test possible materials for Orion's heat shield at the Complex's High Enthalpy Aerothermal Test H2 facility.

During the Dec. 5 flight, Orion orbited Earth twice and traveled a distance of 3,600 miles into space, farther than any spacecraft designed for astronauts has been in more than 40 years. This is 15 times higher than the International Space Station. Video taken from the windows of the spacecraft captured images of what Earth looks like from that height.

On its voyage, the spacecraft also flew through high radiation in the Van Allen belts twice, and its systems held up fine. Four-and-a-half hours later, Orion splashed down in the Pacific Ocean approximately 600 miles southwest of San Diego.

NASA, the U.S. Navy, and Orion prime contractor Lockheed Martin worked to recover Orion and return it to shore. The spacecraft was then transported to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida where engineers received more information about its performance.

Though unmanned for this trip, the flight tested many of the vital elements for human spaceflight such as key separation events, parachutes and the heatshield. During re-entry into Earth's atmosphere, Orion endured speeds of 20,000 mph and temperatures near 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Data from the flight test will be used to improve Orion's design and reduce risks to future mission crews.

"[The] flight test of Orion is a huge step for NASA and a really critical part of our work to pioneer deep space on our Journey to Mars," said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. "The teams did a tremendous job putting Orion through its paces in the real environment it will endure as we push the boundary of human exploration in the coming years."

If further testing on Orion is needed, Payne said he and his team are ready to assist.

"I am really glad for ULA and Orion, and I look forward to any future test they will have here at AEDC," he said.

Marine Corps Cyber Commander Chosen for Top DIA Post

By Terri Moon Cronk

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2015 – The first Marine Corps officer to lead the Defense Intelligence Agency will take command later this month, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren told reporters today.

Maj. Gen. Vincent R. Stewart will be promoted to lieutenant general just prior to assuming command of the agency in a Jan. 23 ceremony at DIA’s Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling headquarters here, Warren said.

In addition to being the first Marine to hold the position, he added, Stewart will be DIA’s first African-American commander.

Background in Cyber and Intelligence

Stewart now serves as commander of Marine Forces Cyber Command, and before that, he was the intelligence director for Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps, Warren said.

“A distinguished intelligence professional and dedicated warfighter, Major General Stewart brings a wealth of talent and leadership to the Defense Intelligence Agency and the nation’s intelligence community across the agencies and organizations,” Warren said.

The Senate confirmed Stewart for the DIA director position Dec. 11, 2014, he added.