Air Force Materiel Command’s Post

"The Space Development Agency demonstrated the ability to connect its satellites to radios on the ground through a signal known as Link 16, showing the potential for in-orbit sensors to network with military systems operating in multiple domains." #elaranova #SDA #SpaceForce #USSF #Pentagon #spaceindustry #spacetech #spacetechnology #commercialspace #militaryspace #nationalsecurity #nationaldefense #nationalsecurityspace #space #PWSA

ICYMI: A media thread Post: Potential U.S. Space Force Changes The USSF, its mission, training, and technology will change whether the service is ready or not. Several years ago, I analyzed the missions the proposed United States Space Force (USSF) was supposed to inherit from the United States Air Force (USAF) and others. It was then, as it is now, primarily a military service that provides support to the combat services, such as the Army, Navy, and the USAF. At the time, this new(ish) organization, the Space Development Agency, was beginning to publish plans for a space architecture. I don’t believe I was the only person skeptical about yet ANOTHER organization that said it would change U.S. military space acquisitions AND bring about spacecraft that would fundamentally change how the USSF conducts space operations. But the agency is doing both, whether the USSF realizes it or not. More on that bit later. Space Service Similarities At the beginning of this month, I decided to provide an update to the charts and the observations about the service I made in that several-year-old article. And, frankly, I provided updated observations of the USSF in the analysis that followed that note. The upshot of the analysis is that the Space Force remains a support service. The architecture the SDA is implementing will only emphasize that support role in the short term. Again, more on that later. The USSF’s missions and assets make its support focus clear. In the context of the other types of space operators in civil and commercial sectors, the Space Force's services are not much different. Military space operations provide services similar to civil and commercial counterparts in many ways. In some ways, it provides a different type of service, such as missile warning or tracking in remote sensing. That makes sense, as those missions have few commercial applications. In other ways, U.S. military space lags, such as communications, particularly with LEO data networks or, possibly, in remote sensing regarding synthetic aperture radar constellations. What is not evident, based on my admittedly old knowledge, is that the U.S. military is currently relying on old systems, which means a lot more people, military, contractor, and civilian, are involved behind the scenes. These are ancient systems–ancient, as in relying on UNIX or an even more arcane operating system for spacecraft commands. Read it in full at: https://lnkd.in/eKhPVa6A 27/end

Maj Gen Greg Gagnon, United States Space Force, is entirely accurate that "there is no reason you only need to observe satellite maneuvers from the ground. You can do it from space." This is the foundation of NorthStar’s business plan from our beginning in 2015. Space Systems Command #JCO, #SACT, #SchrieverWarGames have helped us refine our commercial capabilities since 2019, while Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) #SpaceWATCH validates our commercial Space-based wide-field-of-view SSA system in support of the mission to #secure space.   As the first space-based SSA constellation, we have fully validated our #CONOPS and we continue to support multiple defence departments and agencies to make a substantial contribution to #SDA, and #spacebasedSSA.  

Great use of space resources

'The Space Development Agency, a Pentagon space acquisition organization, already has launched 27 low Earth orbit satellites for experimentation and demonstrations in the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture program ... 'By the end of 2025, the program expects to have 160 satellites in orbit, the majority covering the globe to create connectivity across regions, more than two dozen dedicated to missile warning and a handful running missile control. 'The Space Development Agency had demonstrated Link 16 connectivity using its satellites ... 'Link 16 is the tactical data link used by the U.S. military, NATO and other partner nations ... 'The program seeks to create a hybrid satellite terminal for troops to use. That would allow a user’s terminal to switch between the low Earth orbit satellites transport layer or use dedicated military or commercial bandwidths such as the satellite communication Ka and Ku bands, respectively. 'The system would work much like multiband radios can switch between frequency bands for a variety of communications options'. https://lnkd.in/grmdHBnd

Summary: The latest revision of Joint Publication 3-14, the doctrine guiding Joint Force operations in space, clarifies the roles of the US Space Command (SPACECOM) and other combatant commands in conducting "offensive and defensive space operations." These operations involve the use of "direct or enabling capabilities" to impact adversary space assets, such as spacecraft in orbit and terrestrial control stations. The update, released on August 23, 2023, is considered one of the most significant overhauls in the document's history, aiming to normalize space as a domain of warfare and align space operations doctrine with the Unified Command Plan. Key Points: The revision clarifies SPACECOM's scope of action, emphasizing "offensive and defensive space operations" supported by "direct capabilities." The doctrine defines SPACECOM's area of responsibility, including exgeosynchronous orbit, cislunar space, lunar orbit, and Earth-Moon Lagrange points. It introduces the concepts of "direct and enabling capabilities" to distinguish between capabilities that inflict harm (direct) and those that support friendly forces (enabling). The document outlines various US military "space mission areas" and their primary reliance on direct or enabling capabilities. It shifts from terms like "space control" and "counterspace" to a more nuanced approach, focusing on "suppression of enemy space capabilities" to achieve relative control of the operational environment when needed. Follow-on Questions: How does the new doctrine impact the United States' approach to space operations in terms of defense and offense? What are the practical implications of the document's definition of "astrographic" boundaries for SPACECOM's area of responsibility? How might the distinction between "direct and enabling capabilities" influence the development of space-related military technologies? How do other nations view the evolution of US space doctrine, and what implications might this doctrine have on international space security efforts? Suggestions for Further Reading or Research: Explore the historical development of space doctrine and its significance in the context of evolving military strategies. Investigate the international response to the United States' efforts to normalize space as a domain of warfare and its impact on space governance and security. Research the development of space capabilities and technologies, particularly those related to direct and enabling capabilities in the context of military space operations. People of Interest: Lt. Gen. John Shaw: As the deputy SPACECOM commander at the time of the document's revision, Lt. Gen. John Shaw played a key role in shaping the new space doctrine. Gen. Chance Saltzman: As the Space Force chief, Gen. Chance Saltzman's perspective on the evolution of space doctrine and the integration of space into military operations is of interest.

Russia and China are deploying capabilities that can target GPS and other vital space-based systems in an effort to degrade the military space advantage of the U.S. and its allies, said Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks. Hicks made the remarks today in Colorado Springs, Colorado, as Army Gen. James H. Dickinson relinquished command of U.S. Space Command to Space Force Gen. Stephen N. Whiting. Hicks pointed out how the Defense Department has launched an ever-growing constellation of smaller, more resilient, lower-cost satellites than were ever previously deployed. "America's dynamic commercial space industry enables it and also enables the United States to significantly outpace [China's] growth in space launches and payloads over the last five years," she said. From 2019 to 2023, China doubled its number of annual space launches and more than tripled how many payloads it put into orbit. That's real growth, she said. In 2023, China launched 240 payloads to orbit while the U.S. lofted over 2,500 payloads, she said. "As DOD invests more in space, the whole of America's lead will only grow," she said. Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Christopher W. Grady, who also spoke at the ceremony, said that the dedicated 18,000 members of Space Command exemplify U.S. commitment to space excellence and leadership as they pioneer new frontiers, strengthen international partnerships and safeguard the nation's interest in the limitless expanse of space. "Recent conflicts have starkly illustrated the indispensable role of space in our nation's defense capabilities. And, in my view, space has emerged as our most essential warfighting domain—integral to our national security, our coalition interoperability and our global stability," he said.  Hicks and Grady lauded Dickinson's leadership and achievements at U.S. Space Command and noted that Whiting is more than qualified to build on his predecessor's accomplishments. #Space #Deterrence #Conflict Image: A Falcon 9 rocket carrying 23 Starlink satellites launches from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., Jan. 7, 2024.

The Space Force's Space Systems Command designated Northrop Grumman's Passive Refueling Module (PRM) as a favored interface to enable future in-space refueling of military satellites. The PRM has a docking mechanism to allow a refueling vehicle in orbit to transfer propellant to another satellite to extend its useful life. Space Systems Command will also aid development of a tanker capable of delivering 1,000 kilograms of hydrazine to satellites in geostationary orbit. The adoption of Northrop Grumman's PRM, while not exclusive, marks the first time the Space Force has publicly identified a preferred system. https://lnkd.in/dMQV_spm

The United States Department of Defense’s vision for its hybrid #space architecture includes enabling the #military to leverage best-suited #SATCOM orbits, channels, and networks at a moment’s notice to fulfill mission-critical requirements. At this year’s #GOVSATCOM conference, #satellite executives examined this emerging multi-orbit paradigm and how it is making the #DoD’s vision a reality. https://bit.ly/3KelxBM

Space Force taps four firms for laser network project -SpaceNews "The goal of the Enterprise Space Terminal project, overseen by SSC’s Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power Program Executive Office, is to establish a space mesh network across various orbits — from low Earth orbit to beyond geosynchronous. The project seeks to ensure compatibility between future military space systems, enabling seamless communication regardless of location." Calian Advanced Technologies has been a leader in delivering secure ground-based solutions for over 50 years. Our solutions include systems, products and services spanning a wide range of applications, like TT&C stations, communications gateways, network coordination stations, uplink and data downlink systems for mobile, fixed and broadcast satellite services and earth observation, and space exploration markets. For more on our technical/tactical ground-and space-based electronic defence and ISR capabilities, please visit our Calian Defence Solutions Hub @https://lnkd.in/eYbKzM2d and @https://lnkd.in/eXwuwtGu #defence #defense #ISR #electronicwarfare #geolocation #intelligence #space #nato #spaceforce Note: Articles posted or shared on this Calian Defence Solutions site are for informational purposes only. Any views or opinions expressed herein are those of the articles’ authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Calian Group. https://hubs.li/Q02CNBhJ0