MD Space Exp Center (MDSEC)
Abstract
SPACEBASED KILL ASSESSMENT (SKA) Kill assessment can be described as a determination that the weapon hit a lethal object and that object is assessed to be no longer lethal. The SKA system is designed to perform this determination and is made up of two segments: a space segment and a ground segment. The space segment is a network of kill assessment sensors, the electronics that control them and the circuit card processors that mate the sensors to the satellite hosts. At approximately ten kilograms each, the sensors house three, single-pixel photodiodes that are commercially available today. The sensors themselves move in two axes, azimuth and elevation, by way of two, commercial-off-the-shelf actuators. Heaters and thermal blankets protect the sensor components from space's temperature fluctuations. Cabling connects the sensor assemblies to their circuit card processors which serve as the principal interface to the satellite hosts. The space segment is made up of a network of sensors, each mated to a different satellite; and the total number of sensors and where they are placed in the network are specifically tailored for the kill assessment mission. The ground segment is a small network of desktop computers, servers and routers that monitor the health of the on-orbit sensors, command the sensors to perform the kill assessment mission and analyze the data to make a kill assessment determination for the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS). The ground segment hosts the complex kill assessment algorithms which accomplish several tasks, including flash detection and analysis; hit/miss/kill/glancing blow assessment of the intercept; and scheduling of the network of sensors for optimal observation opportunities. The ground segment also includes the equipment necessary for security and information assurance protection. The Missile Defense Space Center (MDSC), located at the Missile Defense Integration and Operations Center, will act as the communications hub for SKA data. The MDSC will route and process SKA data for BMDS as it does for other sensor programs, so that the BMDS is presented with only a new data stream, not a new command and control system with which to interface. The SKA sensors are hosted on satellites that are not developed by the Missile Defense Agency, thus schedule performance is the highest priority of the experiment. Since the launch of the host satellites will not wait for hosted payloads that are delivered late, the management of the SKA project focuses on the ability to meet schedule commitments. This schedule discipline has one important benefit: cost containment. For example commercially available parts and components are chosen over those that require technology development, driving down non-recurring engineering costs. Additionally a fixed schedule addresses one of the largest contributors to cost overruns on space programs: the standing workforce that must be employed for longer durations as schedules slip. The following activities were funded by the FY 2013 Precision Tracking Space System program element 0604883C in support of the Spacebased Kill Assessment (SKA) development: - Developed SKA project strategy with stakeholders in February and March 2014 - Obtained project approval by Missile Defense Agency (MDA) executive leadership in April 2014 - Took delivery of all parts and components required for sensor engineering models (3) and qualification models (2) in May 2014 - Conducted Preliminary Design Review with warfighter and United States Air Force, United States Strategic Command and United States Northern Command participation in July 2014 - Successfully mated an engineering grade SKA processor card to a test figure simulating the host satellite in September 2014 - Assemble and deliver sensor assembly engineering model #1 and conduct testing - Complete build out of initial instantiation of the ground segment development facility and processing equipment - Assemble and deliver sensor assembly qualification model #1 and conduct testing - Conduct Critical Design Review with warfighter and military service participation - Conduct Production Readiness Review - Begin assembly of sensor flight models - Conduct Pre-Environmental Review Funds requested for SKA in FY 2016 are to be used for three major activities: - Complete assembly, integration and test of the sensor payloads with the host satellites - Continue development of the ground system - Begin preparations for on-orbit experimentation MISSILE DEFENSE SPACE CENTER (MDSC) The MDSC provides capabilities and infrastructure to support the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) as the single location for MDA elements to conduct space operations. The MDSC provides a multi-level security environment for sensor data management and integration across space and terrestrial sensor data activities. MDSC experiments leverage Department of Defense (DoD) (Defense Support Program, Space Based Infrared System) and national security space capabilities. MDSC activities support analysis, demonstration and integration of space sensor capabilities into developmental and operational MDA elements. MDSC enables the development of advanced technology and algorithms including fusion of multiple sensor types (radar, overhead persistent infrared, electro-optical and other emerging sensor technologies). MDSC supports mission integration of space-based missile tracking (boost and midcourse phases), sensor and weapons cueing via Command and Control, Battle Management and Communications , features and discrimination, kill and impact point assessments into the BMDS and other (non-MDA) mission areas to include Space Situational Awareness, technical intelligence, and battle space characterization. The MDSC continues to develop and refine current operations for BMDS Space systems. The MDSC hosts a collaborative experimentation environment via the MDSC Interchange System (MIS) and the MDSC 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 common, secure data architecture for MDA, DoD and national security space sensor data and a satellite sensor tasking request tool interface with Missile Defense Agency (MDA) users. The Test Integration Lab provides a common location for MDA user collaboration with access to space sensor layer data via the Missile Defense Space Center (MDSC) Interchange System during tests and experiments. The MDSC supports efforts to increase the effectiveness of the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) (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 MDSC Sensor Registration Health & Status Monitoring 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) and provides a platform for real-time algorithm integration and test. Other MDSC experiments explore areas including 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), and communications (providing the worldwide connection of sensors and shooters to command authorities). These experiments are structured to be implemented across the 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, 2016
- Source ID
- MD33_0603895C_4_0400_PB_2016
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