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Slide1 : Responsive Space Operations (RSO) Architecture Development for the National Security Space Community LTC Pat Frakes, USA Paul Popejoy, The Aerospace Corporation April 2004


Why “Responsive” Space Operations? : Why “Responsive” Space Operations? Problem Our space capabilities do not respond quickly enough to new threats to the nation & to new information needs Current National Security Space capabilities are a legacy of our need for indications & warning of strategic attack, but… Current & future threats are constantly changing & unpredictable, while… We are changing the way we use space Needs Recognize that the real challenge for RSO is not to solve today’s problem, but to allow the rapid resolution of tomorrow’s problems Increased responsiveness across a broad range of time scales, to changing situations, mission, & priorities Question What elements of National Security Space can be transformed to provide more agile space operations to sustain preeminence?


The Cold War in Space : The Cold War in Space A window into denied (e.g., Soviet) territory Prevent a “nuclear Pearl Harbor” Detect and understand key strategic “observables” from space Designing, building, & deploying strategic weapons takes time


The Cold War in Space : The Cold War in Space A window into denied (e.g., Soviet) territory A way to demonstrate National “Superiority” A “Space Race” to restore national prestige & self-confidence In the end, a race against the clock Aiming at a fairly constant, unchanging target


The Cold War in Space : The Cold War in Space A window into denied (e.g., Soviet) territory A way to demonstrate National “Superiority” Lessons Learned Going to space & operating there is extremely challenging – that is why it is called “rocket science” Space customers are accustomed & willing to pay more & wait longer for better performance & mission assurance High spacecraft & launch costs are incentives to use satellites as long as possible, slowing technology insertion Responsiveness has not been emphasized historically


Things That Have Changed : Things That Have Changed Cold War Nation-state opponents Deterrence strategy Many “observables” Similar structures & familiar attributes Slow to change Post-Cold War Small groups & individuals Pre-emption strategy Few “observables” Different structures & murky attributes Radical & rapid change © Time Life Pictures/Getty Images. Used by permission. © Time Life Pictures/Getty Images. Used by permission.


Things That Have Changed : Things That Have Changed Cold War Nation-state opponents Strategic space missions Missile warning Navigation by LORAN, et al Laser/TV-guided munitions Post-Cold War Small groups & individuals Tactical support from space Greater dependence Tactical mobile communications Navigation & timing from GPS GPS-guided munitions


Things That Have Changed : Things That Have Changed Cold War Nation-state opponents Strategic space missions Short human space missions No possibility of space rescue Post-Cold War Small groups & individuals Tactical support from space Long human space missions Post-Columbia rescue options


NSSA RSO Architecture Development : NSSA RSO Architecture Development DoD Executive Agent for Space (Mr. Teets) has directed NSSA to develop an RSO Architecture To address need for responsiveness in space in the post-Cold War environment Purpose – Develop strategy to guide RSO architecture investment decisions over the next 20 years RSO architecture will provide top-to-bottom (ground, launch, link, & space segments) & end-to-end (acquisition, deployment, & operations) perspective Products Recommended RSO capabilities for ~2025 (what we want to do) Recommendations (how to do it) Life cycle cost assessment (cost to do it) Investment roadmap (when to do it)


RSO Definition* : RSO Definition* The ability to respond appropriately (across a broad range of time scales) to changing situations & time-critical mission or capability requirements for space-based products & services Timeliness of responsive actions will vary by mission & user *Draft Terms for Reference for NSSA Responsive Space Operations Architecture RSO means much more than launch on demand


RSO Scope : Space Services* Intelligence Surveillance & Reconnaissance Position, Navigation, & Timing Communications Space Control Environmental Sensing Missile Warning RSO Scope Ground Operations Customer Interface Processing & Exploitation Dissemination Constellation & Network Control Spacelift Operations Processing & Integration Range Safety Flight Operations Check-out & Launch Mission Planning & Coordination De-confliction & Adjudication Production Support Allocation & Apportionment Early Orbit Operations Deployment Positioning Check-out & Calibration Customer Support Time-Critical Tasking Urgent Maneuvers Repositioning & Reconfiguration On-Orbit Operations Routine Operations Anomaly Resolution On-Orbit Servicing Acquiring Capabilities Customer Needs & Timelines Design & Development Integration & Coordination * Representative list of space services that may be enabled by RSO (Satellite Industry Association) (U.S. Air Force) (U.S. Air Force) (U.S. Air Force) (U.S. Air Force) (U.S. Air Force) (U.S. Air Force) (U.S. Air Force)


NSSA Architecture Development Process : NSSA Architecture Development Process


RSO Methodology : RSO Methodology Develop investment roadmap – When do we want to achieve desired capabilities? Identify key architecture capabilities that satisfy needs – What is the desired end state? Mission/Priority 1 Mission/Priority 2 . . Mission/Priority n What missions & priorities would most benefit from RSO? What would have to change to be more responsive in support of the mission/priority? Develop Operational Concepts – How do we want to do it? Operations Acquisition Deployment Develop Alternative Architecture Point Designs Evaluate Alternative Architecture Point Designs What would an RSO Architecture look like? How well do the RSO point designs do in terms of responsiveness & cost? What must be done to achieve an RSO capability by 2025? NSSMissions & Priorities – What missions & priorities are related to RSO? Future Environment – What might it look like? Evaluate Technology Opportunities – What can we do with it? Define the Trade-Space – How many ways could we do it? Ground Segment Space Segment Launch Segment Link Segment Develop recommendations for implementation – How do we achieve desired capabilities? Outputs Major Tasks Inputs


NSSA Approach to RSO Architecture Development : NSSA Approach to RSO Architecture Development Identify current & future needs Few formal requirements Examine full solution space, including Terrestrial alternatives One size fits all vs. tiered responsiveness levels How much cost & risk can we really accept? Technical vs. cultural engineering? Include all NSS stakeholder communities Intelligence, Defense, & Civil Commercial (through Requests for Information) Provide meaningful advice to DoD Executive Agent for Space on most promising solutions Collaboration across NSS community is critical to success