Space System Prototype Transition

Abstract

In FY 2021, PE 1206427F, Space Systems Prototype Transitions (SSPT) efforts were transferred to Appropriation 3620, Research, Development, Test & Evaluation, Space Force, PE 1206427SF, Space Systems Prototype Transitions (SSPT) from Appropriation 3600, Budget Activity 04 due to the creation of a new Appropriation for Space Force. $8.787M is included in FY 2021 in the request for Appropriation 3600, Research, Development, Test & Evaluation, Air Force, PE 1206427F; these funds should have been requested under Appropriation 3620 Research, Development, Test & Evaluation, Space Force, PE 1206427SF. Justification and plans for these funds are included in RDT&E, AF, PE 1206427F, Space Systems Prototype Transitions (SSPT), R-1 Line #62. The Space System Prototype Transition (SSPT) Program will identify and address space technology and capability gaps in order to facilitate technology transition to military space prototypes and programs of record. It will conduct a wide array of activities to model, integrate, test, and provide launch integration and support on-orbit testing of prototype technologies. The supported activities include: systems engineering, technology planning, development, demonstrations and testing, as well as modeling, simulations and exercises to support the development and maturation of tactics and procedures. This includes the development and prototyping of critical technology within the Department of Defense, across other government agencies, academic institutions and industry partners that are identified and the necessary systems engineering to effectively employ such systems. Specifically the SSPT project will include a cost-effective framework to identify, mature and transition demonstrations and prototypes to: - Rapidly address identified technology or capability gaps - Accelerate the maturation of systems intended for demonstrations/prototypes that enhance/compliment/replace an existing capability - Support a more reliable, available, maintainable and survivable military space enterprise - Energize the space industrial base supporting U.S. national security - Focus S&T Innovation and facilitate its transition to military space programs of record This program includes efforts for Rapid On-Orbit Space Technology Evaluation Ring (ROOSTER), Tetra, Blackjack, and Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS)-Hosted Payload (HP): ROOSTER is designated to provide a flexible orbit capability to host and deploy numerous prototypes and payloads utilizing excess payload margin available on US Space Force Headquarters (USSF HQ) launch missions. Tetra will provide a training platform for operators to develop and demonstrate tactics, techniques and procedures for prototype missions. The experiment directly supports the evolution of U.S. space situational awareness and control. Blackjack is a joint technology demonstration project by DARPA and the Space Force to evaluate military utility and concepts of operation for a Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (P-LEO) satellite constellation. The project leverages industry innovation in commercial P-LEO concepts by integrating military payloads onboard commercial commoditized satellite vehicles, demonstrating onboard data processing and autonomous tasking, and transmitting encrypted data through a mesh network of satellites in LEO with the goals of augmenting existing warfighter capability, increasing national security space resiliency, and decreasing per-unit satellite costs. QZSS-HP is a "pacesetter” hosted payload that is a high priority for the U.S. and Japan, paving the way for future Allied collaborations. It enhances Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) Space Situational Awareness capabilities over the Eurasian theater and facilitates resilient capabilities in the Space Surveillance Network (SSN). 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 SSPT capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 1206392SF and 1206398SF. This effort is in Budget Activity 4, Advanced Component Development and Prototypes (ACD&P), because efforts are necessary to evaluate integrated technologies, representative modes or prototype systems in a high fidelity and realistic operating environment.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2021
• Source ID: 645601_1206427SF_4_3620F_PB_2021

Tags

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering.

Technology Areas

• Space
• Space - Satellites