Operationally Responsive Tactical Microsatellites

Abstract

The Secretary of Defense's Office of Force Transformation (OFT) and the Naval Research Laboratory, in concert with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), are expanding their development of and experimentation with operationally responsive tactical microsatellite systems. Key elements of this system include: modular payloads, a highly automated satellite bus, common payload and launcher interfaces, launch on demand, and direct tasking and data dissemination using the Secret Internet Protocol Routing Network (SIPRNET). This system ultimately integrates space assets into the forces so that the Joint Task Force (JTF) Commander can call up assets by deciding the payload capability required, the area of interest, the area for direct downlink, and the date the assets must be operational. This article provides an overview of this experimentation, and a roadmap for where operationally responsive space is going.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2005
Accession Number
ADA524023

Entities

People

  • M. S. Hurley
  • T. M. Duffey

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Electronic Intelligence
  • Information Operations
  • Ionosphere
  • Launch Vehicles
  • Magnetic Storms
  • Microsatellites
  • Military Research
  • Satellite Buses
  • Solar Wind
  • Space Systems
  • Space Weather
  • Spacecraft
  • Standards
  • Vehicles

Readers

  • Computer Networking
  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Tactical Satellite Communications Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites