Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) Capability Development
Abstract
The Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) project is segmented into three primary pieces: the STSS Demonstration Satellites, which includes Software updates; Government costs; and MDA Space Architecture activity. Funding will also be provided for engineering efforts associated with Common Threat activities. The Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) Demonstration Satellites will demonstrate key functions of missile tracking with space sensors. The knowledge gained from these efforts will contribute to future MDA space sensor constellation development. The STSS Demonstration Satellites provide key knowledge on which to base the design of a future constellation. The STSS Demonstration Satellites were launched 25 September 2009 with visible and infrared sensors into low earth orbit for testing with other BMDS elements. These two satellites will provide valuable risk reduction for acquisition, tracking, and discrimination functionality to include stereo data fusion, cueing radars over the horizon and over-the-horizon fire control. The program will demonstrate the functions and interfaces required for space data delivery to the BMDS, validating the data quality necessary for interceptors to launch and/or engage on STSS sensor data. STSS will participate with other BMDS Flight Tests and take advantage of Targets of Opportunity (TOOs). MDA provided funds to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for launch services for the two Demonstration Satellites using a single Delta II launch vehicle. The two Demonstration satellites are being operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year from the ground station processing center at the Missile Defense Space Experimentation Center (MDSEC) with a government and contractor team. There is a backup satellite operations site at the Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems facility in Redondo Beach, California. The first three months of on-orbit activities were dedicated to checking functionality of all subsystems to ensure the satellite is working and operating successfully in their orbital environment. Laser calibration tests will be conducted to verify the satellites payloads are pointing precisely for tracking missiles. These initial checkouts precede a series of robust performance tests which consists of aircraft tracking tests and satellite tracking tests (both simulating missiles). Once performance is verified to ensure successful missile target tracking, cooperative and dedicated missile testing begins. As the Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) Demonstration Satellites are operated and tested, they will collect data within the satellites` field of view. Data collection commences upon completion and success of initial check-out activities, which occur in 2nd Qtr FY 2010. STSS will strive to meet reasonable expectations to view all available Targets of Opportunity (TOOs) to include participation with other BMDS target and flight tests that will provide an adequate demonstration of the MDA Space Layer capabilities and allow collection of future system risk reduction information. MDA will initiate planning of integrated BMDS intercept tests based on track data passed from the STSS Demonstration Satellites through Command and Control, Battle Management and Communications (C2BMC) to Aegis, Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD), or other interceptors. Software upgrades will provide improvements to the STSS` utility to the BMDS. Lessons learned from design and development and operation of the Demonstration Satellites will guide the upgrade work. Software upgrades are funded through FY 2010 by this Program Element. STSS Demonstration Satellites and Software Upgrades will provide data to the BMD Digital Simulations Architecture (DSA) which is the primary Modeling and Simulation (M&S) System framework used to integrate Element baselines prior to flight or ground testing, facilitate technical trade-offs, concept analysis and trade studies, as well as providing support to Wargames and exercises within the BMDS Program. The DSA-performance architecture and Element and component high fidelity models support performance assessment (PA) and technical assessment (TA) events, which provide critical system level performance data relative to all Elements, system engineers, M&S developers, the Operational Test Agency (OTA) and Warfighters. The DSA-virtual architecture supports Element baseline integration, training, portions of ground testing and exercises. STSS Demonstration Satellites and Software Upgrades will support the BMDS Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) Modeling and Simulation (M&S) through data collection efforts, allowing for enhanced modeling within the BMDS system-level HWIL single stimulation framework to support full-envelope BMDS ground test, flight test, and training events based upon Agency and Warfighter needs. The Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) Demo Analysis Center (SDAC) will enable independent government analysis of STSS Demonstration Satellites data. The Center infrastructure will include network communications, encryption/decryption devices, and software tools for mission planning and simulation, and data management tools. This infrastructure enables test engineering and analysis support for STSS Demo validation and verification, BMDS testing, and collection of scientific data for refinement of BMDS-relevant models. In conjunction with lessons learned from the Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) Demonstration program and the Near Field Infrared Experiment (NFIRE) program, MDA Space Architecture modeling and simulation activities will assess the capability of a low earth orbit constellation to complement sensor coverage and missile detection and tracking capabilities provided by Advanced Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) sensors. Threat Systems Engineering supports the planning, design and specification, integration and implementation, and test verification and assessment phases of the systems engineering process. The Threat Systems Engineering uses intelligence community data to define the BMDS threat space and directly supports the development of the BMD System Description Document and System and Element Specifications. This threat space is documented in the Adversary Data Packages (ADP), which includes common and consistent representation of Missile Systems and countermeasures to drive BMDS requirements, designs, and directly supports the execution of Integrated Master Test Plan (IMTP) (i.e. flight test targets, ground tests and digital simulations, and pre-mission analysis). Threat Systems Engineering also develops scenarios (trajectory and signature) for system and element utilization for compliance and assessment evaluations of BMDS capability to defend homeland, deployed forces, and friends and allies.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2011
- Source ID
- WX12_0603893C_4_0400_PB_2011
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- Child Accomplishment: Common Threat
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