Our coordinated exploratory and advanced development efforts in the Space Platforms area advances multiple technology areas used to support the core functions needed in space and launch vehicles and propulsion. The major subareas of Space Platforms are launch vehicles, space vehicles, and propulsion, with the taxonomy depicted in Figure VIII-1. Technology programs for the launch vehicles subarea include aero/thermal; guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C); recovery; robotics/docking; survivability; electrical power; and range operations.
Included in this subarea are ballistic missile and strategic sustainment technology. The space vehicles subarea refers to the spacecraft bus (as opposed to the entire spacecraft, which includes both the bus and the mission payload) and has technology programs for thermal management, structures, survivability, GN&C, power, and satellite control. Sensors, electronics, and information systems technologies unique to space and launch vehicles are presented in other chapters but are referenced for completeness. The propulsion subarea technology efforts (Integrated High-Payoff Rocket Propulsion Technology (IHPRPT) are for boost and orbit transfer, spacecraft, and tactical propulsion.
A glossary of abbreviations and acronyms used in this chapter begins on page VIII-24.
The overarching strategic goal for Space Platforms is to make space access and operations affordable. From space, a whole range of critical information collection and distribution functions become possible with both robust global reach and little forward-based infrastructure. Information provided U.S. military personnel by space-based systems includes weather, forces location/movement, environmental monitoring, transportation routes, advanced warning on weapons deployment, and weapons targeting. Future space systems could allow application of space-based force against ballistic missiles and other threats. Maintaining U.S. dominance of space is threatened by the high cost of space systems and drives subarea goals.
The primary goal for the launch vehicles subarea is to reduce the cost per pound for delivering payloads to their required orbits. A reduction in turnaround time between launches is also a goal. The goals for the space vehicles subarea are to construct spacecraft that are lighter, are smaller, require less power, and have a longer functional lifetime with lower life-cycle costs while maintaining and improving overall system performance and operation. Achievement of these goals is grounded in the basic technologies of structures, power, electronics, etc., and will only be accomplished as these technologies are strongly supported and demonstrated for space vehicle application. Space propulsion subarea goals are focused on development of rocket propulsion engines and motors with improved performance for transition into existing or new systems. Boost and orbit transfer propulsion systems will demonstrate improvements in specific impulse, mass fraction, thrust to weight, reliability, reusability, and cost. Spacecraft propulsion systems will demonstrate improvements in specific impulse, thruster efficiency, and mass fraction. Tactical propulsion systems will demonstrate increased delivered energy and improved mass fraction. Reaching the Space Platform goals will enable key technology transition/transfer opportunities as shown by subarea in Table VIII-1.
1.3 Acquisition/Warfighting Needs
DoD is required by the National Space Policy to maintain the capability to execute the space mission areas of space support, force enhancement, space control, and force application. Within these four mission areas, the United States Space Command (USSPACECOM) conducts the missions of space launch and space system control; terrestrial surveillance, intelligence, warning, communications, navigation, mapping/geodesy/charting, environmental monitoring, and command and control; space surveillance, space system protection, and space system negation; and ballistic missile defense, aerospace defense, and power projection. Force applications and space control are emerging USSPACECOM missions. The military space plane (MSP) provides a capability in these missions and in spacelift. Technology development needs for the MSP parallel the reusable launch vehicle (RLV) until FY05. RLV and early MSP technology needs are included in the Space Platforms DTAP.
USSPACECOM assets support five of the ten JCS Joint Warfighting Capability Objectives (JWCOs): Information Superiority, Precision Force, Electronic Combat, Counterproliferation, and Joint Theater Missile Defense. Information Superiority is supported by the USSPACECOM missions of surveillance; intelligence; communications; mapping, geodesy, and charting; environmental monitoring; and command and control. Precision Force is supported by the surveillance, intelligence, command and control, communications, and navigation missions. Electronic Combat is supported by surveillance, intelligence, communications, and command and control. Counterproliferation is supported by the surveillance and intelligence missions, and Joint Theater Missile Defense is supported by the surveillance, intelligence, communications, and command and control missions. All of these space missions are in turn supported by the launch and space system control missions and by the space-unique aspects of system integration and acquisition.
| FY 2000 | FY 2005 | FY 2010 |
|---|---|---|
| SPACE LAUNCH VEHICLES SUBAREA | ||
| RLV Reusable LH2 Tank Payload Shroud Cryo Propellant Tank |
RLV SSTO LV Structure |
|
| ELV and Strategic Sustainment IMU Components Multiuse Battery |
ELV and Strategic Sustainment Long-Life Inertial Guidance Units Post-Boost Control System Material Update |
ELV and Strategic Sustainment Missile Aging and Surveillance Predictions for Individual Motors |
| Upper Stage/OTV Chemical/Solar Thermal Propulsion |
Upper Stage/OTV Autonomous Navigation |
Upper Stage/OTV Propulsion Life-Cycle Surveillance High-Efficiency Control System |
| SPACE VEHICLES SUBAREA | ||
| Space Structures and Control Fiberoptic Sensors Passive Lateral Axial Isolation |
Space Structures and Control Passive Lateral/Active Axial |
Space Structures and Control Hybrid Axial Isolation |
| Cryogenics Reverse Brayton Cooler |
Cryogenics Microcooler |
Cryogenics Laser Cooler |
| Satellite Control On-Board Health Status |
Satellite Control Machine Learning Systems |
|
| Space Power Systems NiH2 Batteries Double-Junction Solar Cells |
Space Power Systems Li Ion Batteries Triple-Junction Solar Cells |
Space Power Systems Flywheel Storage Solar Dynamic Systems |
| Thermal Management Loop Heat Pipes |
Thermal Management Carbon-Carbon Radiator |
Thermal Management Capillary Pumped Loops |
| Threat Warning & Attack
Reporting & Protection Laser Microbolometer Fixed Wavelength Coatings |
Threat Warning & Attack
Reporting & Protection RF Sensor Active Nonlinear Optics |
Threat Warning & Attack
Reporting & Protection Integrated Laser & RF Sensors Wavelength Agile Optics |
| SPACE PROPULSION SUBAREA | ||
| RS-27 Upgrade EELV Tech Insertion Titan SRMU Solar Electric Propulsion |
Environmentally Clean Motors Russian Engine Tech Reusable Cryo Engine Shuttle Replacement |
Rapid Response ELV Improved Russian Engine Tech Trans. Atmospheric Vehicle |
The military services through Air Force Space Command (AFSPC), Naval Space Command (NAVSPACECOM), and Army Space and Strategic Defense Command (ASSDC) provide USSPACECOM with the systems and personnel to carry out space missions. Each military service envisions a force that is highly dependent on space systems to conduct land, sea, and air operations in the 21st century. The Air Force New World Vistas of air and space power for the 21st century stresses the essential context of space in achieving global reach—global power capabilities. Navy and Marine Corps describe a globally mobile force that will be highly dependent on space systems to provide C3I, precision navigation, mapping, targeting, and bomb damage assessment. Such a naval force will need dominance in space as well. DoD will require new technologies if the services are to field the advanced space systems that the United States will require to continue to dominate the high ground of space.
The Space Platforms technology area will provide the services with the new and improved launch and space vehicles technologies to support, expand, or enable the five JWCOs above and all USSPACECOM missions. The development of lighter, stronger space vehicles will allow a stepdown in launch vehicles or increased launch mass margin on current launch vehicles. For high-power geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) communications payloads, new technologies in space vehicles could be available to allow a launch vehicle stepdown from the current heavy launch vehicle (HLV) to an Atlas IIAS. Similarly, future technology developments should increase on-orbit life and reduce life-cycle costs. The development of new materials, avionics, production methods for launch vehicles, and reduced system costs should reduce the cost to low Earth orbit (LEO) from the current levels to at least $1,000/lb and reduce the time between launches from months to days. The development of affordable, expendable boost and strategic propulsion systems will enhance the strategic agility of U.S. space forces. The operational improvements for boost and orbit transfer propulsion systems by the years 2000, 2005, and 2010 include 7%, 13%, and 18% increases in payload capability or launch cost reductions of 12%, 20%, and 27%, respectively. Individual improvements presented in this chapter are measured against 1995 technology as opposed to planned improvements or future developments.
1.4 Support for Combating Terrorism
As the United States is very dependent on space, it is vital to protect our space assets from rogue attack. Tracking, observing, and pinpointing terrorists will have to depend on the use of global assets. Space platforms provide the vehicle in space from which intelligence, communications, weapons, and surveillance payloads may operate to combat terrorism. Space Structures and Control (DTO SP.03.06) technologies provide the structural components and control systems used in Large Precise Structures (SP.05.06) for surveillance and intelligence payloads, with the Satellite Control (SP.09.01) systems providing autonomous ground and space operations, portable ground operations, data dissemination, and advanced operator environments for satellite control. Extended on-orbit life of space missions is possible with Space Power System Technologies (SP.08.06), Thermal Management Technology (SP.02.07), and Orbit Transfer Propulsion AT (SP.11.06). Threat Warning and Attack Reporting (SP.16.06) sensors monitor for, detect, identify, locate, characterize, and report a threat against critical U.S./Allied satellites. Cryogenic Technologies (SP.01.06), Boost Propulsion (SP.10.06), and Protection Technologies (SP.15.06) round out the complement of technologies necessary to the space platform system.
