Operationally Responsive Space

Abstract

The successful integration of space-based capabilities into the core of U.S. national security operations has resulted in dramatically increased demand for and dependence upon space capabilities. As a result, U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) identified three needs: 1) to rapidly augment existing space capabilities when needed to expand operational capability; 2) to rapidly reconstitute/replenish critical space capabilities to preserve “continuity of operations” capability; 3) to rapidly exploit and infuse space technological or operational innovations to increase U.S. advantage. Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) is designed to both improve the responsiveness of existing space capabilities (e.g., space, launch, and ground segments) and to develop complementary, affordable small satellite/launch vehicle combinations, and associated ground and command and control systems, that can be deployed in operationally relevant timeframes. ORS is defined as "assured space power focused on timely satisfaction of Joint Force Commanders' needs." The ORS goals are to: 1) Improve robustness--provide a focused, limited capability to augment and reconstitute, with assured warfighter access and control. 2) Respond to urgent needs--deliver effects to joint warfare in response to an urgent or previously unanticipated need. 3) Reduce development/deployment time and cost--complement existing space capabilities with an element focused on increased value and timely delivery. 4) Capitalize on emerging/innovative capabilities--adopt new capabilities from advanced technologies and innovative operational concepts. When enabling responsiveness conditions are fully established, commanders will have three "tiers" of ORS capabilities for meeting urgent needs. Tier-1 uses existing space systems, operations, and processes to provide highly responsive space effects in minutes to days from when the need is established. Although mission or system utilization analyses may be needed, Tier-1 solutions will not typically involve new material items. The targeted timeframe for deploying usable Tier-2 solutions is days to weeks from the time the JFC need is established. Tier-2 solutions focus on reconstitution, augmentation, or replenishment, of space capabilities through rapid assembly, integration, testing, and deployment of small, low cost satellites. Tier-3 focuses on maturing enablers (launch, range, bus, payloads, command and control, ground architectures, and authorities) necessary to meet future Tier-2 and Tier-3 timelines and on developing new assets rapidly when JFC needs cannot be addressed through Tier-1 or Tier-2 capabilities. Once developed, Tier-3 capabilities will be responsively deployed and employed in the same way as Tier-2 assets. The goal of executing Tier-3 is months to one year from established need to presentation of operational capability. ORS program funds (along with other Service and Agency funds) are programmed to systematically mature ORS enabling infrastructure to meet the responsiveness timelines required by the USSTRATCOM CONOPS (hours, days, weeks, months...not years) and achieve the price points established in the 2007 NDAA ($40M satellite vehicles / $20M launches). This includes the development of a modular, open-system architecture, including plug and play concepts, to enhance the rapid assembly and integration of mission-specific elements into operational satellites. A focus for these efforts will be the Rapid Response Space Works (RRSW). ORS will fully develop and demonstrate the end-to-end capability of RRSW by producing an operational, modular Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite prototype through the RRSW under specific time constraints. This demonstration of rapid assembly, integration and testing (AI&T) will be in accordance with a concept of operations that dictates a 6-day call up prior to mission launch. In addition to providing operational capability, RRSW will remain a critical enabler for sustained, repeatable AI&T for subsequent satellite vehicles and a means to incorporate innovation while leveraging existing efficiencies. Demonstration and validation of this process is key to ORS’s ability to meet future warfighter needs in a responsive manner. ORS funds will also fund TacSat and ORS launch vehicles and operations support; fund transition of TacSat demos to operational capabilities; and acquire and deploy operational satellites in response to USSTRATCOM urgent needs. When ORS-appropriate USSTRATCOM urgent needs arise during execution year, programmed ORS projects may be modified or delayed to meet those urgent needs. This program is Budget Activity 04, Advanced Component Development and Prototypes, because it involves operational experimentation and evaluating integrated technologies to assess the performance or cost reduction potential of advanced technologies.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2012
• Source ID: 0604857F_4_3600_PB_2012
• Change Summary Explanation: FY2010: +$9.477M reprogrammed to complete the FY10 funding requirements for ORS-1. FY2012: -$1.187M reprogrammed due to overhead reduction efficiencies; -$0.289M for other AF priorities.
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Advanced Electronics
• Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Artificial Satellites
• Assembly
• Autonomous Systems
• Combatant Commanders
• Command And Control
• Command And Control Systems
• Control Systems
• Cost Analysis
• Data Links
• Engineering
• Microsatellites
• Payload
• Small Satellites
• Spacecraft
• Synthetic Aperture Radar
• Systems Engineering
• United States Strategic Command

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering.
• Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
• Tactical Satellite Communications Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
• Space
• Space - Satellites