0603410F Space Systems Environmental Interactions Technology

Note: Beginning in FY 1998, Projects 2822, Space Environmental Impact Test, and 2823, Space Hazards Mitigation, were combined under Project 2822. For clarity, the funding for FY 1996 and FY 1997 reflects this consolidation.

(U) A. Mission Description and Budget Item Justification: This Advanced Technology Development program's objectives are to improve the survivability and reliability of Air Force space systems, and expedite the transfer of new technologies into military hardware. Cost-effective solutions to mitigate hazardous, space-environmental interactions that degrade spacecraft operations are developed and demonstrated in this program. Advanced technology goals include: (1) an autonomous active charge control system to prevent charge buildup on high-altitude spacecraft; (2) a compact environmental anomaly sensor to provide warning to satellites of space-environmental conditions likely to cause anomalous operations; and (3) improved specifications for advanced solar array technologies from the Photovoltaic Array Space Power Plus Diagnostics experiment. These goals will be achieved through space experiments such as the Charging Hazards and Wake Studies experiment (that will determine space environmental hazards to exposed high voltages), the Shuttle Potential and Return Electrons Experiment (which will investigate the effect of high current electron beams on the ambient space environment), and the Space Waves in Plasmas Experiment (which will look at space effects on high-frequency radio transmissions).

(U) FY 1996 ($ in Thousands):

(U) $583	Develop and test miniaturized space plasma sensors. Characterize plasma in and around spacecraft wakes to improve low-earth environmental specifications and provide critical validation of charge analysis modeling codes necessary for spacecraft designers.
	(U) Continued analysis of plasma data collected from space hazard sensors during shuttle flight STS 69 to verify performance of space plasma sensors and to validate analysis modeling codes.
	(U) Developed the Digital Ion Driftmeter (space plasma sensor designed for use on the National Polar Orbiting Experimental Satellite) for space test to obtain the space qualification data needed to assess operational use.
(U) $200	Demonstrate next-generation solar array technologies that provide the required performance standards in space before being integrated into future power systems. Characterize array interactions with natural space environment.
	(U) Analyzed data from the Photo Voltaic Array Space Power (PASP) Plus diagnostics experiment launched on the "Advanced Power Experiment" (APEX) satellite in Aug 94 and produced detailed reports on high-voltage plasma interactions and on advanced solar array radiation degradation for use in updating space power design guidelines and test standards.
(U) $660	Determine vehicle charging and environmental interactions which will result in new preventive measures to protect spacecraft from charging hazards. Enhanced analytical models of vehicle charging and spacecraft environmental interactions directly applicable to future high-powered space systems will be studied.
	(U) Analyzed Shuttle Potential and Return Electronics Experiment (SPREE) data which will lead to improvements in modeling codes for vehicle charging effects and environmental interactions.
(U) $272	Determine the interactions between spacecraft and their environment that limit performance of long-range, high frequency communications and radar systems.
	(U) Supported the sounding rocket launch and data collection.
	(U) Conducted preliminary analysis data for eventual incorporation into design and performance standards to counter scintillation effects and decrease susceptibility to plasma interactions.
(U) $1,153	Develop and test a suite of miniaturized, low-power instruments to measure the populations of natural space particles responsible for radiation dose effects and hazardous charge buildups.
	(U) Completed design and began fabrication of a miniaturized, low-power electron telescope to provide charge buildup information, a dosimeter to provide high energy dose and single event upset information, and a proton telescope to provide low energy dose information during space tests.
(U) $63	Develop and demonstrate an autonomous, active charge control system to prevent hazardous charge buildup on high-altitude and geosynchronous orbit satellites, decreasing circuitry upsets and component damage, improving on-orbit reliability, and enhancing system performance.
	(U) Continued evaluation of the data obtained from the advanced charge control system on Defense Satellite Communications System satellite. Supported initial on-orbit operations and began evaluating performance of the advanced charge control system.
(U) $256	Develop and test an autonomous, compact, lightweight, low-power instrument to monitor the space environment near a satellite that warns of hazardous conditions.
	(U) Supported integration and testing of the charge-warning instruments on the Space Test Program TSX-5 satellite.
(U) $3,187	Total

(U) FY 1997 ($ in Thousands):

(U) $401	Develop and test miniaturized space plasma sensors. Characterize plasma in and around spacecraft wakes to improve low-earth environmental specifications to provide critical validation of charge analysis modeling codes necessary for spacecraft designers.
	(U) Complete data analysis from STS 69 experiment and publish results from space plasma sensors to validate charge analysis modeling codes.
	(U) Deliver the Digital Ion Driftmeter to the Space Test Program Office for integration and support to launch operations to obtain the space qualification needed for operational use.
(U) $432	Demonstrate next-generation solar array technologies that provide the required performance standards in space before being integrated into future power systems. Characterize array interactions with natural space environment.
	(U) Complete analysis of Photovoltaic Array Space Power (PASP) Plus data and publish final technical reports on high-voltage plasma interactions and on advanced solar array radiation degradation for use in updating space power design guidelines and test standards.
	(U) Begin conceptual design of future solar array technologies to prove their space performance before being integrated into future space power systems.
(U) $407	Determine vehicle charging and environmental interactions which will result in new preventive measures to protect spacecraft from charging hazards. Enhanced analytical models of vehicle charging and spacecraft environmental interactions directly applicable to future high-powered space systems will be developed.
	(U) Complete data analysis and publish report to improve modeling codes for vehicle charging effects and environmental interactions.
(U) $57	Determine the interactions between spacecraft and their environment that limit performance of long-range, high frequency communications and radar systems.
	(U) Continue analysis of sounding rocket data for eventual incorporation into design and performance standards used to counter scintillation effects and decrease susceptibility to plasma interactions.
(U) $1,217	Develop and test a suite of miniaturized, low-power instruments to measure the populations of natural space particles responsible for radiation dose effects and hazardous charge buildups.
	(U) Complete design and begin fabrication of a miniaturized, low-power electron telescope to provide charge buildup information, a dosimeter to provide high energy dose and single event upset information, and a proton telescope to provide low energy dose information during space tests.
(U) $22	Develop and demonstrate an autonomous active control system to prevent hazardous-charge buildup on high-altitude and geosynchronous orbit satellites, decreasing circuitry upsets and component damage, improving on-orbit reliability, and enhancing system performance.
	(U) Finish evaluating the data from the Defense Satellite Communications System flight and produce a final report.
(U) $257	Develop and test an autonomous, compact, lightweight, low-power instrument to monitor the space environment near a satellite that warns of hazardous conditions.
	(U) Support the launch of and provide on-orbit support for the charge-warning instruments on the Space Test Program TSX-5 satellite.
(U) $2,793	Total

(U) FY 1998 ($ in Thousands):

(U) $2,575	Develop and test miniaturized, low-power sensors to measure the populations of hazardous natural space particles responsible for radiation dose effects, hazardous charge buildups, and single event upsets to satellite operations.
	(U) Support on-orbit Digital Ion Drift Meter (space plasma sensor designed for use on the National Polar Orbiting Experimental Satellite) operations and collect data on Space Test Program's Space Test Experiments Platform (STEP)-4 satellite to validate the concept and to obtain the space qualification needed for operational use. Begin data analysis.
	(U) Deliver, integrate, and support launch operations of a Digital Ion Drift Meter on a German satellite to evaluate performance in an operationally representative orbit.
	(U) Continue fabrication of a miniaturized, low-power, proton telescope that provides low energy dose information during space tests.
	(U) Complete fabrication of a miniaturized, lower-power, electron telescope to provide charge buildup information during space tests.
	(U) Continue fabrication of a miniaturized dosimeter to provide high energy dose and single event upset information during space tests.
	(U) Begin design and fabrication of a central controller to obtain charge buildup information from the electron telescope, low energy dose information from the proton telescope, and high energy dose and single event upset information from the dosimeter during space operations.
(U) $132	Demonstrate next-generation solar array technologies that provide the required performance standards in space before being integrated into future power systems. Characterize array interactions with natural space environment. Determine environmental interactions hazardous to space power generation.
	(U) Continue conceptual design of future solar array technologies to prove the space performance of future solar array technologies to before being integrated into future space power systems.
(U) $444	Develop and test technologies to mitigate hazardous environmental interactions. Demonstrate an autonomous, active charge control system to prevent hazardous charge buildup on high-altitude and geosynchronous orbit satellites, decreasing circuitry upsets and component damage, and improving on-orbit reliability and performance. Demonstrate an autonomous, compact, lightweight, low-power instrument to monitor the space environment near a satellite and warn of hazardous conditions.
	(U) Finish evaluating the long-term performance on the Defense Satellite Communications System satellite and produce a final report.
	(U) Support launch and on-orbit operations of the hazard-warning instrument on the Space Test Program TSX-5 satellite. Collect data and begin analysis of performance.
	(U) Support launch and on-orbit operations of the hazard-warning instrument on the United States/British Space Test Research Vehicle (STRV)-1C satellite to evaluate performance in a high radiation space environment. Collect data and begin analysis of performance.
(U) $3,151	Total

(U) FY 1999 ($ in Thousands):

(U) $2,183	Develop and test miniaturized, low-power sensors to measure the populations of hazardous natural space particles responsible for radiation dose effects, hazardous charge buildups, and single event upsets to satellite operations.
	(U) Analyze data from on-orbit Digital Ion Drift Meter (space plasma sensor designed for use on the National Polar Orbiting Experimental Satellite) operations and collect data on Space Test Program's Space Test Experiments Platform (STEP)-4 satellite to validate the concept and to obtain the space qualification needed for operational use.
	(U) Support on-orbit operations of a Digital Ion Drift Meter on a German satellite to evaluate performance in an operationally representative orbit.
	(U) Complete fabrication of a miniaturized, low-power, proton telescope that provides low energy dose information during space tests.
	(U) Complete fabrication of a miniaturized, lower-power, electron telescope to provide charge buildup information during space tests.
	(U) Complete fabrication of a miniaturized dosimeter to provide high energy dose and single event upset information during space tests.
	(U) Continue design and fabrication of a central controller to obtain charge buildup information from the electron telescope, low energy dose information from the proton telescope, and high energy dose and single event upset information from the dosimeter during space operations.
(U) $667	Demonstrate next-generation solar array technologies that provide the required performance standards in space before being integrated into future power systems. Characterize array interactions with natural space environment. Determine environmental interactions hazardous to space power generation.
	(U) Continue conceptual design and begin fabricating hardware to prove the space performance of future solar array technologies before their integration into future space power systems.
(U) $192	Determine environmental interactions hazardous and disruptive to satellite operations. Demonstrate that next-generation and commercial off-the-shelf satellite electronics technologies provide the required performance standards in a natural space charging environment before being integrated into future space systems. Characterize natural space charging and radiation environment.
	(U) Begin conceptual design of an integrated modular system to prove the space performance of future electronics technologies in a natural space charging environment.
(U) $485	Develop and test technologies to mitigate hazardous environmental interactions. Demonstrate an autonomous, compact, lightweight, low-power instrument to monitor the space environment near a satellite and warn of hazardous conditions.
	(U) Continue on-orbit support operations of the hazard-warning instrument on the Space Test Program TSX-5 satellite. Continue data collection and analysis of performance.
	(U) Continue on-orbit operations of the hazard-warning instrument on the United States/British Space Test Research Vehicle (STRV)-1C satellite to evaluate performance in a high radiation space environment. Continue data collection and analysis of performance.
(U) $3,527	Total

(U) B. Program Change Summary ($ in Thousands):

	FY 1996	FY 1997	FY 1998	FY 1999	Total Cost
(U) Previous President's Budget	3,349	2,914	3,488	3,577	Cont
(U) Appropriated Value	3,479	2,914
(U) Adjustments to Appropriated Value
a. Congressional/General Reductions	-68	-59
b. SBIR	-63	-59
c. Omnibus/Other Above Threshold Reprogrammings	-29	-3
d. Below Threshold Reprogrammings	-132
(U) Current Budget Submit/FY 1998 PB	3,187	2,793	3,151	3,527	Cont

(U) Change Summary Explanation:

Funding: Changes to this PE since the previous President's Budget are due to budget constraints and priorities within the Science and Technology (S&T) Program.

Schedule: Not Applicable.

Technical: Not Applicable.

(U) C. Other Program Funding Summary: Not Applicable.

(U) D. Schedule Profile: Not Applicable.

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