SPACENET:
On-Orbit Support in 2025
A Research Paper
Presented To
Air Force 2025
by
Lt Col Bill Bradley
Maj Carl Block
Maj Rich Chavez
Maj Phil Simonsen
Maj Tim Zadalis
August 1996
2025 is a study designed to comply with a directive from the chief of staff of the Air Force to examine the concepts, capabilities, and technologies the United States will require to remain the dominant air and space force in the future. Presented on 17 June 1996, this report was produced in the Department of Defense school environment of academic freedom and in the interest of advancing concepts related to national defense. The views expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the United States Air Force, Department of Defense, or the United States government.
This report contains fictional representations of future situations/scenarios. Any similarities to real people or events, other than those specifically cited, are unintentional and are for purposes of illustration only.
This publication has been reviewed by security and policy review authorities, is unclassified, and is cleared for public release.
Chapter
Figure
2-1. Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act (OODA) Loop
3-1. The Impact of Spacenet on the US OODA loop
3-2. Spacenet Telecommunications Links
3-3. Combining Laser Communication and Optical Computers
3-4. Calculation for Area of an Antenna
3-9. Roles and Typical Missions of Aerospace Power
3-10. Typical Satellite Constellation
3-11. Typical Satellite Defensive Capabilities
5-1. Advances in Fielded C3 Systems
5-2. Technological Advances in Satellite Crosslinking
5-3. Advances in Satellite Computer Technology
5-4. Timeline for System Standardization
5-5. Advances in Satellite Defensive Systems
Table
1 C4 Principles and Criteria versus Spacenet
2 Similarities of Terrestrial Internet and Spacenet
3 Throughput for 1996 Satellite Systems
4 Throughput for 1996 Terrestrial Communication Systems
6 Data Capabilities at Various Frequencies
In 2025, on-orbit support will be vital to employing space assets as an instrument of national power. Four areas of on-orbit support need to be developed over the next three decades to ensure that the US maintains space dominance. These four key areas together form the Spacenet 2025 system. This white paper examines these four areas in the context of supporting space assets, not the particular missions the satellites may accomplish.
First, support to the war fighters will be the priority of the military space program. The theater commander requires reliable, timely support from space to utilize all war fighting assets. This space support includes communications, navigation, weather, missile launch warning, and data transfer. Although intelligence is not addressed in this report, on-orbit support provides sufficient processing, storage, and transmission capability to fully support the intelligence architecture. In essence, the war fighters in the field will not need to worry about overloading voice or data channels-the required capacity will be available continuously.
Second, the satellite command, control, and communication (C3) system must be responsive enough to position satellites in the correct orbits to support the theater commander. This requires: C3 systems to control satellites over the horizon from the ground control station; automatic, redundant switching to ensure that a particular satellite receives the correct commands; and flexible, secure, and mobile ground stations. Satellite autonomy is the ultimate goal, however, when required, ground control is minimized.
Third, satellite design is critical. Improved design lowers cost, increases flexibility, and enhances survivability. Key design considerations include satellite size, longevity, power and propulsion requirements, radiation-hardened electronics, satellite autonomy, and satellite disposal. Quantum leaps in information systems technology will lead the design environment, but adapting system capabilities to operate in space is a major stepping stone to achieve Spacenet 2025 capabilities.
Finally, space assets must be survivable in a hostile space environment and immediately replaceable if destroyed. Satellite security employs both passive and active defenses to counter manmade and environmental threats such as space debris, antisatellite (ASAT) systems, or meteorites.
These four areas of on-orbit support are the pillars of the Spacenet 2025 system. This "internet in space" depends on the four pillars to provide timely data and support to war fighters worldwide, seamless C3, and carefully designed satellites that are survivable and secure. The Spacenet 2025 system synergistically builds capabilities so the whole Spacenet 2025 system is greater than the sum of its parts. Spacenet 2025 may become the ultimate force enhancement and projection system, ensuring that the US remains the world's sole superpower throughout the 21st century.
Alfred T. Mahan recognized the importance of lines-of-communication (LOC) in the vastness of the earth's oceans. One of the Navy's missions was to protect merchants traveling those sea LOCs. Additionally, "The government by its policy can favor the natural growth of a people's industries and its tendencies to seek adventure and gain by way of the sea."1
US airpower and spacepower doctrine should follow a policy favoring the natural growth of space industries and promoting the security and safety of these commercial ventures. Research and development, policies, and guidance of a large-scale satellite C3 backbone system, used by both commercial and military sectors, will enhance the safety of the LOC for spaceborne platforms.
In 2025, space operations will be a vital instrument of national power. On-orbit support will help determine the effectiveness and efficiency of space operations. This paper describes the desired operating methods of on-orbit support to ensure the US remains the dominant space power in 2025 and beyond. Specifically, the scope of on-orbit support in this paper begins with satellite release from the launch vehicle and ends with satellite disposal at mission termination. Launch operations and specific missions of space assets are the subjects of other papers in the 2025 research project and are referenced in this paper but are not specifically addressed there.
Two assumptions form the essential basis of this report. First, the US will be a dominant world power in 2025. Second, space assets and operations will increase in importance both militarily and commercially. In fact, commercial enterprises will lead the development of some space technology. As DOD continues downsizing, virtual presence from space will replace troops as the vehicle for forward presence. On-orbit support is the enabling function for the global awareness necessary to maintain US space dominance.
Four pillars describe the Spacenet 2025 on-orbit system. The first pillar is the war fighter's requirements. The second pillar is command, control, and communications (C3) of space assets-the method of satisfying the customer. Spacecraft design is third with a focus on satellite size, service life, power and propulsion requirements, radiation-hardened electronics, autonomy, and satellite disposal. The final pillar is satellite security in the context of manmade and environmental hazards.
The end-state goal is for on-orbit support to be transparent to the user: responsive, effective, and unobtrusive. The Spacenet 2025 system will meet the challenge.
