FDF Modernization Status

The Flight Dynamics Facility has transitioned operations to the Phase 1 FDF Modernized system! Computations and support are now done from the Restricted IONET, and external users communicate with the FDF via the Communications Interface Layer (CIL). Instructions and an application form to obtain an account on a CIL server for communicating with the FDF are available on this website.

In the FDF modernized system, the Closed IONET communications, the NASCOM traffic, will flow through Restricted and are largely non-visible to the end users. Receipt and transmission of data occur over the Open and Restricted IONETs. These interfaces support the variety of communication mechanisms including FTP, SFTP, HTTP, HTTPS, TCP/IP that are currently in use.  Information on the FDF is provided through a web interface.  The FDF no longer supports product delivery via its web sites.

The effort to modernize the FDF continues in Phase 2, with upgrades planned for its computational software. This is slated for completion by the end of calendar 2012. Since the current received data and the delivered products will remain the same, changes to this software will have little to no impact to external users. Support for future missions will have the advantage of additional support capability from the FDF, with easier incorporation of new data types and mission support requests. 

With over thirty years of experience, the Flight Dynamics Facility organization has amassed an impressive record of achievement and success in the support of scores of NASA custom space missions of every kind. Today, a professional staff of analysts tend to a wide variety of missions every year, both current and new. Missions supported have run the gamut from launch support for both expendable boosters and Space Shuttles, to science mission satellites in low Earth orbit, to geostationary orbiting weather satellites and the TDRSS network, to Sun-Earth libration point missions, and last but certainly not least, to lunar and deep-space probes.

Whether the flight dynamics need be pre-launch mission analysis, launch support, or post launch operations, the FDF has the expertise and resources to do the job through the entire mission life cycle.
If the need is for: