Space Situation Awareness Systems

Abstract

Space Domain Awareness (SDA) is one of five core competencies of the Space Force and is the effective identification, characterization, and understanding of any factor, passive or active, associated with the space domain that could affect space operations and thereby impact the security, safety, economy, or environment of our nation. As the foundation for space control, SDA encompasses surveillance of all space objects and activities; detailed surveillance of specific space assets; monitoring space environmental conditions; monitoring cooperative space assets; gathering indications and warning on adversary space operations; and conducting integrated command, control, communications, processing, analysis, dissemination, and archiving activities. This program element develops new network sensors and improved information integration capabilities across the space surveillance network (SSN) while companion program element 1203940SF fields, upgrades, operationalizes, operates, and maintains Space Force sensors and information integration capabilities within the SSN. Activities funded in this program element (1206425SF) also support efforts such as engineering studies and analyses, architectural engineering studies, trade studies, technology needs forecasting, modernization initiatives, systems engineering, system development, and test & evaluation, and may include prototyping and technology demonstration. Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) is a ground-based, SDA radar system to detect, track, and maintain custody of deep space objects 24/7, through the solar exclusion gap. DARC will augment the SSN as an additional sensor with increased capacity and capability for deep space object custody, providing full global coverage. The SBSS Follow-On (SBSS FO/SILENTBARKER) program will develop and deliver a system to continue providing space object surveillance from space beyond SBSS Block 10 End-of-Life. The United States Space Force (USSF) and National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement partnering SBSS FO with an NRO program based on overlapping requirements. The critical space-based SDA program activity will develop and deliver a system to continue providing space object surveillance. Space Based SDA enables timely detection and custody of on orbit threats in order to protect US High Value Assets in space in support of the National Defense Strategy. Space Based SDA requirements are based on a Statement of Capabilities and upon the current Space Domain Awareness (SDA) Initial Capabilities Document architectural requirements focused on protecting High Value Assets. Space Based SDA will provide the capability to search, detect, and track objects from a space- based sensor for timely custody and event detection. Surveillance from space augments and overcomes existing ground sensor limitations with timely 24-hour above- the-weather collection of satellite metric data only possible with a space-based sensor. This data is communicated to operators at the Combined Space Operations Center (CSpOC), National Space Defense Center (NSDC), and other classified users. This program element includes efforts related to Space Based SDA, its integration into the broader space superiority architecture, and analysis and experimentation to ensure space-based space surveillance capabilities against the evolving threat. Ground Based Optical Sensor System (GBOSS) includes an upgrade to the Ground-based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance (GEODSS) system that enables GEODSS to monitor small, closely-spaced, and advanced threats in low, mid, high, and geostationary orbits. The upgraded system will discover currently undetectable space threats, reduce an adversary's tactical surprise and deliver the data required to support accurate, timely, actionable SDA. This facilitates decision-making within the compressed timelines dictated by the realities of the congested, contested, competitive space domain. The program delivers a combination of performance upgrades to existing GEODSS sites, including advanced data exploitation and rapid data dissemination, and will incorporate coalition data, commercial data and/or new GEODSS sites to provide a global capability to positively ID an adversary committing an orbital attack. The program includes updates to the GEODSS image processing and optical subsystems that will enhance the sensitivity and search rate, and fields new multi-spectral advanced technology sensors supporting extended operations, high-fidelity characterization, enhanced indications and warnings (I&W), and attribution. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver Space and Ground Based SDA and Ground Based Optical system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 1206392SF and 1206398SF. For Space Based SDA in PY 0.225M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in CY 0.225M is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this program element. This program is in Budget Activity 5, System Development and Demonstration (SDD) because it has passed Milestone B approval and is conducting engineering and manufacturing development tasks aimed at meeting validated requirements prior to full rate production.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2025
• Source ID: 1206425SF_5_3620F_PB_2025
• Change Summary Explanation: FY 2025: -40.118M decrease to Project 65A006, Space Based SDA for higher Space Force priorities.
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Readers

• Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
• Sensor Fusion and Tracking Systems.
• Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

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