MD Space Exp Center (MDSEC)

Abstract

The Missile Defense Space Development Center (MDSDC) allows Missile Defense Agency (MDA) elements to conduct satellite on-orbit operations and to conduct flight test, demonstrations, experiments, data integration, algorithm development and test, and concept exploration. The annual operating expenses for the MDSDC provide overhead functions to include security, configuration management, engineering, test, demonstration, experiment, data analysis and integration, and logistics support for satellite operations and MDA users to include Space Tracking and Surveillance System Demonstration (STSS-D) Satellites; Near Field Infrared Experiment (NFIRE); Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) Architecture (BOA); Command and Control, Battle Management and Communications (C2BMC); Integrated Sensor Manager (ISM); MDA C2BMC X-Lab; MDA Enterprise Sensors Laboratory (ESL); and future MDA space layer options. The MDSDC Space Layer activities include integration and experimentation across a broad range of BMDS activities to include target signatures, sensor registration, health and status, sensor performance, sensor and weapons netting (with C2BMC and C2BMC X-Lab), modeling and simulation, OPIR Data Fusion and advanced features, discrimination, typing, clutter mitigation, and target kill and impact point assessments. The MDSDC provides infrastructure to support satellite operations for STSS-D and NFIRE as the single location for MDA elements to conduct satellite on-orbit operations. The MDSDC also provides a multi-level security environment for sensor data management and integration across space and terrestrial sensor data activities. MDSDC experiments leverage Department of Defense (Defense Support Program, Space Based Infrared System) and National Security Space capabilities. MDSDC activities support analysis, demonstration and integration of space sensor capabilities into developmental and operational MDA elements. MDSDC enables the development of advanced technology and algorithms including fusion of multiple sensor types (radar, overhead persistent infrared, electro-optical and other merging sensor technologies). MDSDC supports mission integration of space-based missile tracking (boost and midcourse phases), sensor and weapons cueing via C2BMC, features and discrimination, kill and impact point assessments into C2BMC, Aegis Launch on STSS-D, Aegis Engage on STSS-D, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD), and other (non-MDA) mission areas to include space situational awareness, technical intelligence, and battle space characterization. The MDSDC continues to develop and refine on-orbit operations for the STSS-D satellites and NFIRE. In addition to satellite operations, the MDSDC hosts a collaborative experimentation environment via the MDSDC Interchange System (MIS) and the MDSDC Test Integration Lab (TIL) for BMDS elements that rely on, experiment with, integrate with, or seek to improve the BMDS capability by utilizing space-based, systems-derived data. The MIS provides a common, secure data architecture for MDA, Department of Defense and National Security Space sensor data and a satellite sensor tasking request tool interface with MDA users. The TIL provides a common location for MDA user collaboration with access to space sensor layer data via the MIS during tests and experiments. The MDSDC supports efforts to increase the effectiveness of the BMD System (including probability of engagement success, increase in defended area and raid size capacity, additional redundancy of architecture, unity of command) through the integration of MDA developed capabilities. The MDSDC Sensor Registration Health & Status Monitoring (SRHSM) Experiment addresses efforts such as Sensor Registration (reporting of sensor errors/biases) and Correlation (ensuring the information from multiple sensors seeing a threat relates to the same object). Other MDSDC experiments can explore areas from, System Track (creating a single engageable track of a threat from multiple reports provided by different land, sea, and space based multiple sensors), Discrimination (identifying object details to determine the target from debris or decoys), Battle Management (combining the best sensors and shooters to ensure the highest probability of a kill), Hit/Kill Assessment (determining if the target selected was destroyed after missile impact), to Communications (providing the worldwide connection of sensors and shooters to command authorities). These experiments are structured to be implemented across the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) elements to create and utilize system level data and decisions that allow Combatant Commanders the ability to automatically and manually optimize sensor coverage and interceptor inventory to defend against ballistic threats.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2014
• Source ID: MD33_0603895C_4_0400_PB_2014

Tags

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering.
• Missile Defense Systems.
• Sensor Fusion and Tracking Systems.

Technology Areas

• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
• Space
• Space - Satellites
• Space - Space Objects