SANTA MARIA, Calif., 16 Aug. 2008. Quintron Systems Inc., a premier supplier of communications equipment and services to the space industry since 1970, has delivered a significant upgrade to the NASA Marshall Space Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Ala. The new system will support remote voice connections to researchers and scientists via the Internet and allow them to discuss their projects with NASA personnel, including astronauts on the Space Station. The contract was awarded to Quintron in June 2007 following a competitive bid process, with best value and technical compliance as major evaluation factors.
The new system, a development from the existing DICES VoIP system, boasts a central system of servers. Remote users download a small client software package onto their existing computers, and then connect via the Internet to the central server at MSFC. A second server type, called the T1 Gateway, allows connections to radios, telephones, or satellite links to the Space Station.
Several product enhancements were incorporated into the existing DICES VoIP product to meet the overall MSFC requirements, including direct client connection to the MSFC central password authentication system, encryption for all system connections to maintain security for voice traffic, and a special operator control window for the critical communications link to the Space Station.
An on-schedule initial delivery to MSFC was made in fall 2007 with extensive testing done to ensure compatibility with NASA requirements. A complete cutover to the DICES VoIP system was made in May 2008 with successful mission support being logged daily. Voice quality and system responsiveness have been judged exceptional, such that further expansion for MSFC is being considered as a cost-effective alternative to other upgrade options, says a representative.
