Transcript Slide 1

United States
Military Space
Systems
– The Road Ahead
Matthew Hoey, Research Associate
The 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 Shift
Missile defense and space systems contracts have long been
monopolized by the “Big 6” in the space systems Industry…
This is no longer the case and affordability is
the catalyst driving industry realignment –
while allowing the US government to pursue
more military space projects than ever before
The “Emerging” Industry Leaders
The monopoly of the present is slipping into the
past – in the world of space systems new
leaders are emerging.
Launch Services Space Asset Protection Small Satellites Asset Maintenance
Government Side Developers
The government development of military space
systems are being accelerated thanks in part to
partnerships that effectively blur the line between
weapons research and commercial applications
NOT TO MENTION UNIVERSITY-BASED RESEARCH TEAMS
FORCE TRANSFORMATION &
OPERATIONALLY RESPONSIVE
SPACE (ORS)
A PUSH TOWARDS SPACE SUPERIORITY
AND THE FIRST STEPS TO WEAPONIZATION
- ACCELERATED
Office of Force Transformation Objectives
Development: Time required to design, build, and test spacecraft
hardware

Currently 2 to 10+ years
To 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+ months
Space-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 effects
Current timelines depend on system and mission it is typically hours to
days

Under ORS space system operations must respond in timelines
consistent with battlefield operations (continuous/seconds)

Next generation expendable launch vehicles
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
Funding provided primarily by the Air Force, Ballistic Missile
Defense Organization (BMDO), NASA, and Microcosm internal R&D.
The ESPA Ring
ESPA COMPATABILITY
WILL BE THE STANDARD
DEPLOYMENT PLATFORM
FOR THE SMALL SATELLITE
INDUSTRY
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.
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 SATELLITE
COMPANIES AND SYSTEMS
Company Profile
ESCORT INSPECTION MICROSATELLITE
ESCORT APPLICATIONS
Monitor space around a large
satellite to detect attacks.
Stealthily inspect and monitor
a large satellite to determine
its capabilities.
Stealthily attack to permanently
or temporarily disable a large
satellite.
Actively defend a large satellite
against attacks by microsatellites.
Company Profile
Key Technologies
Maneuvering and orbital
Transfer Vehicle (MoTV)
Cosmic Hot Insterstellar
Plasma Spectrometer
Satellite (CHIPSat)
100% TCP-IP
SpaceDev MoTV Classes
There 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
What does that mean?
Proximity Operations
Rendezvous
Inspection
Surveillance
Protection
This is command and control
REDOCKING 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 that
duplicates natural phenomenon or is reversible
The Experimental Satellite Series
XSS-11
Launched April 2005
XSS-10
Launched January 2003
Rendezvous
Interdiction
Inspection
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 Express
Orbital Express will extend
the life of Satellites by
providing:
A refueling capability
On-orbit refueling
Improve survivability
Broad range of uses ranging
from US national security
applications to commercial
space programs.
“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?
Without clearly defined rules and limitations - YES
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
• 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 Presence
OTHER SPACE SYSTEMS
Technologies in Development
Direct Engagement Anti-Satellite (ASAT)
Ground-based kinetic energy ASAT (KEASAT)
“Killer” Micro and nanosatellites
The Experimental Satellite Series (XSS)
Near field infrared experiment (NFIRE)
Air-Launched Miniature Vehicle (ALMV)
Air Launched Anti-Satellite Missile
Maneuvering and Orbital Transfer Vehicle (MoTV)
Radio Frequency (ASAT)
Counter Satellite Communications System
Space-Based Radio Frequency Energy Weapon
Counter Communications System (CCS)
Space-Based Radio Frequency Energy Weapon
Satellite Identification Systems
Rapid Attack Identification, Detection and Reporting System
(RAIDRS)
Counter Surveillance and Reconnaissance System (CSRS)
Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs)—Lasers
Mid-Infrared Advanced Chemical Laser (MIRACL)
Ground Based Laser
Limited Space-Based Lasers Incorporating Mirror Constellations
Space Based Laser Constellations
-hydrogen fluoride chemical lasers
-deuterium fluoride lasers
-chemical oxygen iodine laser (COIL)
Joint High Power Solid State Laser Program
Evolutionary Air and Space Global Laser Engagement Airship Relay
Mirrors
Space Based Vehicles and Interceptors
Orbital Transfer Vehicle
Space 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) Falcon
Electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapons
Information Operations (IO) and Network
Warfare Operations
The computer driven means for corrupting spacebased and terrestrial-based computer systems which
manage satellite functions.
C4ISR Systems
Early 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 DEFENSE
TECHNOLOGIES
The 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 Vehicle
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.
Project FALCON
– Avoids risk to flight crews
– Relatively invulnerable to antiaccess 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
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
“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
SMARTBus Satellite Systems
Referred 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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