EO/IR Weather System Dev

Abstract

Based on completion of the Space-Based Environmental Monitoring (SBEM) Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) Memo 092-14, capabilities will be developed to satisfy weather Gap 1 (Cloud Characterization) and Gap 2 (Theater Weather Imagery). Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Weather Systems is a component of SBEM efforts to develop capabilities to satisfy weather Gap 1 (Cloud Characterization) and Gap 2 (Theater Weather Imagery). The earliest possible launch options are being integrated in the design for critical gaps. Based on the SBEM Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) results, the EO/IR Weather Systems (EWS) initial thrusts will enable: 1) DoD use of data collected by civil, international and other DoD space systems; 2) Timely weather collection of EWS Program of Record; 3) Explore and/or utilize the use of commercially available data. Secondary investments may be supported to address weather gaps identified in the SBEM AoA and validated by the JROC. EWS will consist of a Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) Freeflyer space vehicle in a sun-synchronous, early morning orbit and a ground architecture (LEO Ground) for mission data retrieval/processing and telemetry, tracking, and control. EWS will provide environmental monitoring in the Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Family of Systems providing coverage to meet Space Based Environmental Monitoring (SBEM) Gaps 1 and 2, Cloud Characterization (CC) and Theater Weather Imagery (TWI). Space acquisition must respond with speed and agility to emerging adversary threats. Space & Missile Systems Center (SMC) is transforming the organization and implementation of space acquisition to an enterprise approach, maximizing innovation and resiliency, leveraging international, commercial, and mission partnerships, and managing program/project priorities according to an integrated unclassified/classified enterprise space architecture. Expanding the appropriate acquisition authorities and contract mechanisms to deliver capability sooner, SMC will strategically execute experimentation, prototyping, risk reduction, and other efforts to develop new or repurpose capabilities. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver EWS weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 1206392F and 1206398F.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2021
• Source ID: 643730_0207100F_4_3600_PB_2021

Tags

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering.

Technology Areas

• Space
• Space - Satellites