United States Military SpaceSystems – The Road Ahead

Matthew Hoey, Research AssociateThe Institute for Defense and Disarmament Studies

MILITARY SPACE SYSTEMS

Current and Future Industry and Government Drivers

THE PLAYERS BEHIND THE PROJECTS

The Industry and the Paradigm ShiftThe Industry and the Paradigm ShiftThe Industry and the Paradigm ShiftThe Industry and the Paradigm Shift

Missile defense and space systems contracts have long been Missile defense and space systems contracts have long been monopolized by the “Big 6” in the space systems Industry…monopolized by the “Big 6” in the space systems Industry…

This is This is no longerno longer the case and the case and affordabilityaffordability is is the catalyst driving industry realignment – the catalyst driving industry realignment –

while allowing the US government to pursue while allowing the US government to pursue more military space projects than ever beforemore military space projects than ever before

The “Emerging” Industry LeadersThe “Emerging” Industry LeadersThe “Emerging” Industry LeadersThe “Emerging” Industry Leaders

The monopoly of the present is slipping into the The monopoly of the present is slipping into the past – in the world of space systems new past – in the world of space systems new

leaders are emerging.leaders are emerging.

Launch Services Space Asset Protection Small Satellites Asset MaintenanceLaunch Services Space Asset Protection Small Satellites Asset Maintenance

Government Side DevelopersGovernment Side DevelopersThe government development of military space The government development of military space systems are being accelerated thanks in part to systems are being accelerated thanks in part to

partnerships that effectively blur the line between partnerships that effectively blur the line between weapons research and commercial applicationsweapons research and commercial applications

NOT TO MENTION UNIVERSITY-BASED RESEARCH TEAMS

FORCE TRANSFORMATION & FORCE TRANSFORMATION & OPERATIONALLY RESPONSIVE OPERATIONALLY RESPONSIVE

SPACE (ORS)SPACE (ORS)

A PUSH TOWARDS SPACE SUPERIORITYA PUSH TOWARDS SPACE SUPERIORITYAND THE FIRST STEPS TO WEAPONIZATION AND THE FIRST STEPS TO WEAPONIZATION

- ACCELERATED- ACCELERATED

Office of Force Transformation ObjectivesOffice of Force Transformation ObjectivesDevelopment: Time required to design, build, and test spacecraft

hardwareCurrently 2 to 10+ yearsTo counter adversary’s changing tactics warfighting capabilities must be developed within 6-9 months

Deployment: Time required to integrate, launch, and deliver space systems

Currently 3 to 12+ monthsSpace-based assets must be in place and ready for operation within hours of a request for support

Operate: Time required to deliver a systems products or effectsCurrent timelines depend on system and mission it is typically hours to daysUnder ORS space system operations must respond in timelines consistent with battlefield operations (continuous/seconds)

Next generation expendable launch vehicles Next generation expendable launch vehicles

Funding provided primarily by the Air Force, Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO), NASA, and Microcosm internal R&D.

Reduce launch to orbit cost by 5 to 10X

810lbs into LEO for $4.2 million

On 8 HOURS notice

Microcosm will be offering this service in 24 months

What are the implications?

Affordable launch services + Small Sats

The ESPA RingThe ESPA Ring

The ESPA is a structure developed by the Air Force Research Labs (AFRL) and the Space Test Program (STP) as a means to deploy small satellites.

ESPA is currently only compatible with the Atlas V or the Delta IV Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle or EELV and in time the ESPA ring may be incorporated into more affordable next generation EELV launch options – further reducing the cost of space weaponization and commercial space systems development.

ESPA COMPATABILITYWILL BE THE STANDARDDEPLOYMENT PLATFORMFOR THE SMALL SATELLITEINDUSTRY

How fast is small satellite technology moving?How fast is small satellite technology moving?

Surrey UK AeroAstro SpaceDev

Minisatellites 100kg and up

Microsatellites

40 - 450 kg

Small satellites 150 - 250 kg

Microsatellites 10 - 100kg

Nanosatellites

10-40 kg

Microsatellites 10 to 150 kg

Nanosatellites 5 - 10kg

Picosatellites

5 kg

Nanosatellites 1 to 10 kg

Picosatellites 1 - 5kg

Cubesatellites

1 kg

Picosatellites .1 to 1 kg

- NOTE THE FLUCTUATION IN WEIGHT and DEFINITIONS

SMALL SATELLITECOMPANIES AND SYSTEMS

ESCORT INSPECTION MICROSATELLITE

ESCORT APPLICATIONS

Monitor space around a largesatellite to detect attacks.

Stealthily inspect and monitora large satellite to determineits capabilities.

Stealthily attack to permanentlyor temporarily disable a large satellite.

Actively defend a large satelliteagainst attacks by microsatellites.

Company ProfileCompany Profile

Company ProfileCompany Profile

Maneuvering and orbital Transfer Vehicle (MoTV) SpaceDev MoTV ClassesThere are three size classes of MoTV, designated as -1, -2, -3: "-1" is up to 50 kg (MoTV-1) "-2" is up to 100 kg (MoTV-2) "-3" is up to 200 kg (MoTV-3)

KEY USES

Proximity Operations RendezvousInspection Surveillance Protection

Key Technologies

Cosmic Hot Insterstellar Plasma Spectrometer Satellite (CHIPSat)100% TCP-IP

What does that mean?

 

This is command and control

REDOCKING CUBESATSREDOCKING CUBESATS

Imagine, a host docking satellite with multiple cubesats no larger than 10 inches on any given side able to place for instance, a black swath of adhesive material over a satellite lens or solar array – then removed once the objective has been met.

Key components of stealth attack is an attack thatduplicates natural phenomenon or is reversible

The Experimental Satellite SeriesThe Experimental Satellite Series

XSS-11Launched April 2005

XSS-10Launched January 2003

RendezvousInterdictionInspection

Demonstration of Autonomous Rendezvous Technology (DART)

Demonstration of Autonomous Rendezvous Technology (DART)

The DART will approach the target satellite and perform a series of proximity operations including:

Station keeping Docking axis approach Circumnavigation. Collision avoidance the maneuver then depart the vicinity and transition to its final orbit.

The entire sequence will be accomplished under autonomous

control.

Orbital ExpressOrbital Express

Broad range of uses ranging from US national security applications to commercial space programs.

Orbital Express will extend the life of Satellites by providing:

A refueling capabilityOn-orbit refuelingImprove survivability

“In addition, ORBITAL EXPRESS can support deployment and operations of micro-satellites for missions such as space asset protection and sparse aperture formation flying, or deploy nano-satellites for inspection to provide data to support satellite repair.” DARPA

WHAT NEXT?

With such a capability is there a possibility of an operable ASAT system on the horizon?

With such a capability is there a possibility of an operable ASAT system on the horizon?

Without clearly defined rules and limitations - YES

What are the implications an eventual ASAT system being operational?

What are the implications an eventual ASAT system being operational?

For hundred of years blockades were used to compromise the economies and military capabilities of enemy states.

In Iraq air strikes on critical infrastructure like electrical grids were common place and economic sanctions were the means of limiting a nations economy - this is still the way, for now.

But as we move forward technologically and economies become more reliant on satellites - Stock exchanges, communications, banking…

And militaries rely more on space without rules – space asset protection will be needed and the ability to inflict damage similar to economic sanctions can be done without UN consensus and instead achieved via taking out a single satellite.

Space based sanctions, embargos and blockades – not to mention removing the eyes and ears of a military by taking down their space systems

The marriage of cutting edge technologies

The marriage of cutting edge technologies

• Hypersonic air breathing launch vehicles– Launch on demand at 5x the speed of sound

• Next generation small satellites – capable of direct engagement, asset

protection and stealth attack

• ESPA ring technology– An ability to deploy multiple small satellites

Global PresenceGlobal Presence

OTHER SPACE SYSTEMS

Technologies in DevelopmentTechnologies in DevelopmentDirect Engagement Anti-Satellite (ASAT)Ground-based kinetic energy ASAT (KEASAT)“Killer” Micro and nanosatellitesThe Experimental Satellite Series (XSS)Near field infrared experiment (NFIRE)Air-Launched Miniature Vehicle (ALMV)Air Launched Anti-Satellite MissileManeuvering and Orbital Transfer Vehicle (MoTV) Radio Frequency (ASAT)Counter Satellite Communications SystemSpace-Based Radio Frequency Energy WeaponCounter Communications System (CCS)Space-Based Radio Frequency Energy WeaponSatellite Identification SystemsRapid Attack Identification, Detection and Reporting System (RAIDRS) Counter Surveillance and Reconnaissance System (CSRS)Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs)—LasersMid-Infrared Advanced Chemical Laser (MIRACL)Ground Based LaserLimited Space-Based Lasers Incorporating Mirror ConstellationsSpace Based Laser Constellations-hydrogen fluoride chemical lasers-deuterium fluoride lasers -chemical oxygen iodine laser (COIL)Joint High Power Solid State Laser ProgramEvolutionary Air and Space Global Laser Engagement Airship Relay Mirrors

Space Based Vehicles and InterceptorsOrbital Transfer VehicleSpace Operations Vehicle Hypervelocity Rod Bundles Artificial Meteoroids/Spheres Space Maneuver Vehicle (SMV X-40)Common Aero Vehicle (CAV X-41)Space-Based Interceptor Test Bed (MKV)Hypersonic Cruise Vehicle (HCV) FalconElectromagnetic pulse (EMP) weaponsInformation Operations (IO) and Network Warfare OperationsThe computer driven means for corrupting space-based and terrestrial-based computer systems which manage satellite functions.C4ISR SystemsEarly warning and surveillance systems, satellites, radar, identification systems, communications systems, ground-, air- and space-based sensors to support target assessment efforts and intelligence gather efforts on rival space capabilities.

NOT INCLUDING MISSILE DEFENSETECHNOLOGIES

The BMD – Space Systems connectionThe BMD – Space Systems connection• Effective and affordable solution to the emerging midcourse threat

• Destroys multiple credible objects – both lethal threats and decoys

• Dramatically reduces threat leakage• Integrated with all Ballistic Missile Defense System assets

• Adaptable to multiple basing options

Terrestrial based and integrated into the current ground based systems – up to 7 interceptors - by FY’07

The Common Aero VehicleThe Common Aero Vehicle

Project FALCON

Capabilities enabled by responsive spacelift

– Strike targets anywhere from CONUS in 120 minutes or less.

– Increased warfighting capability against hard and deeply buried targets.

– Minimizes over flight and landing issues and concerns.

– Avoids risk to flight crews

– Relatively invulnerable to anti-access threats.

– Cost competitive with other platforms

Approx. Performance Requirements

– Precision strike

– Variety of conventional payloads

– In-flight target updates

– Worldwide, all weather range

Space Insertion and Extraction Space Insertion and Extraction

“the idea is to move a squad-sized unit of Marines to any place on Earth in less than two hours.”Marine BGen Richard C Zilmer

Evolutionary Improvements to Conventional Assault Support

Space Insertion-Terrestrial Extraction

Stealthy, Survivable

Transport of 13 Troops & Equipment

Launch on Demand

Unrefueled transport

No overflight restrictions

SMARTBus Satellite SystemsSMARTBus Satellite SystemsReferred to as the 6 DAY satellite –

Ultimate objective: To be assembled and deployed in the field for on demand intelligence, communications, imaging…

PLUS – SENSE - PLAY

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