Space Domain Awareness (SDA)*
Abstract
*Formerly Space Situational Awareness (SSA) & Counterspace Operations Response Environment (SCORE) The goal of the Space Domain Awareness (SDA) program is to develop and demonstrate an operational framework and responsive defense application to enhance the availability of vulnerable space-based communications resources. SDA will investigate revolutionary technologies in two areas: 1) advanced space surveillance sensors to better detect, track, and characterize space objects, with an emphasis on deep space objects, and 2) space surveillance data processing/data fusion to provide automated data synergy, to increase space domain awareness, overall space safety of flight, and ultimately to allow space operators to make informed, timely decisions. Current space surveillance sensors cannot detect, track, or determine the future location and threat potential of small advanced technology spacecraft in deep space orbits, where a majority of DoD spacecraft are located. Additionally, manned servicing missions to geosynchronous (GEO) orbits will require exquisite situational awareness, from ultra high-accuracy debris tracking for safety of flight at GEO orbits to high resolution imaging of GEO spacecraft for service mission planning. The SDA program will leverage data fusion and advanced algorithms developed under the SST program, as well as seek to exploit new ground-breaking technologies across the electromagnetic spectrum and utilize already existing sensor technology in non-traditional or exotic ways, to bring advanced capabilities to the space domain. SDA will correlate a wide range of operational support and space system user data to rapidly identify threat activities, propose mitigating countermeasures, and verify the effectiveness of selected responses. Critical technologies include accessing disparate sources of relevant data, model-based situational awareness, and candidate response generation and evaluation. Particular emphasis will be placed on the ability to continuously adapt to changes in defended system components and usage patterns as well as validation of system integrity. The potential transition customer is the Air Force.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2012
- Source ID
- 21ceb3e4ff1b7802e244ac08f840fa98