The Near Earth Network (NEN, formerly GN or Ground Network) provides orbital communications support for near-Earth orbiting customer platforms via various ground stations, operated by NASA and other space agencies.
The antennas must be able to move fast for tracking of objects in low Earth orbit (LEO).
Additionally, the MILA and Wallops stations provide pre-launch, launch, and landing communications support for the Space Shuttle program.
The NEN falls under NASA's SOMD (Space Operations Mission Directorate), interoperating with the SCaN Program offices.
The NEN was slated to support the Constellation Program, including the Ares launch vehicle, NISN (NASA Integrated Services Network), FDF (Flight Dynamics Facilities), KSC Launch Control Center, and the Constellation Mission Control Center (MCC).