Currently, the Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) is using a number of different training systems, simulators, and emulators for space command and control (C2) Initial Skills Training (IST), and Unit Qualification Training (UQT). Each of these training systems or simulators is "stove-piped." That is, each one uses unique and different system-specific hardware, operating systems, networking capabilities, and costly proprietary software. In addition, each system has its own maintenance contract for sustainment. To address this problem, the Air Force established a vision for a single Standard Space Trainer (SST) platform for C2 operator training employing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) personal computer (PC) hardware and operating systems.

This paper addresses how the Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) and Sonalysts, Inc. are transitioning a proof-of-concept satellite operator training system developed under a Phase I and II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Project, into a production (Phase III) SST. The SST proof-of-concept was developed for the SMC and Air Education and Training Command's (AETC) 533rd Training Squadron (TRS) with assistance from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). The proof-of-concept trainer provides instructional support for two satellite systems using advanced modeling, simulation, and visualization technologies. The production SST will employ a single common training system software architecture that will launch system-specific space mission simulations to support IST, UQT, and crew proficiency training. The SST Architecture will enable space trainers to be developed that run on standard PC-based COTS hardware without reliance on the specific hardware or software of the actual space system. A Software Development Kit/Application Programming Interface package will provide a Common Architecture to allow the development and integration of new training systems within a flexible and modular plug-in framework.