SSA Environmental Monitoring
Abstract
The Space Situational Awareness Environmental Monitoring (SSAEM) program is a non-ACAT, Class D technology demonstration project to support the international Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere and Climate 2 (COSMIC-2) mission. The SSAEM program provides the acquisition, development and launch/on-orbit support of 18 space/terrestrial weather sensors to COSMIC-2 partnership in coordination with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Taiwan Space Agency (TASA). COSMIC-2 launched six satellites in an equatorial, Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with 3 SSAEM sensors in each spacecraft in FY 2019. The sensor types are Tri-Global Navigation Satellite System (Tri-GNSS) Radio occultation System (TGRS), Ion Velocity Meter (IVM) and Radio Frequency Beacon (RFB). The SSAEM sensors will address three distinct Joint Requirement Oversight Committee (JROC)-approved Category A weather gaps, specifically Gap #4 (Ionospheric Density), Gap #7 (Equatorial Ionospheric Scintillation) and Gap #12 (Electric Field), to provide additional space meteorological data to improve forecast capabilities and improve warfighter navigation/communication capabilities. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver SSAEM for weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 1206392SF and 1206398SF. The RFB ground station equipment will be transferred to AFRL to continue development and potential fielding options for future ops capability. Operational fixes for TGRS began 2QFY23 and IVM validation finalizes later in FY 2023. Design life has extended through FY 2033 due to system performance exceeding expectations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2025
- Source ID
- 65A038_1206422SF_5_3620F_PB_2025
Related Documents
- Root: Weather System Follow-on
- Child Accomplishment: Space Situational Awareness Environment Monitoring (SSAEM)
- Child Cost Item: edf1a6c0ecd5af615f9881b2f93b65b2
- Child Cost Item: ae92cdf08be41018c676936f0c0498f5
- Child Cost Item: 30d2df8eb43ca34efcd9fc15d6e5faa9
- Child Cost Item: 09a13eed0a1738dd5a41c171312ddfdd
- Child Cost Item: 08c6505bfad77f15e7c9692c8f2c5f3b
- Child Cost Item: c7e1227cb6f623b97b2e462d7ad73b31
- Child Cost Item: b93783e06f56e1a4785b8eb157447a07
- Child Cost Item: 9c8f60caf96c52d4cb699cc1f81e72ac