Back to 2025 Home PageAs a potential crisis is identified, a theater commander requests space support for an area of responsibility (AOR). Space support in 2025 will include a few large, national, multimission platforms that collect information from the AOR and distribute processed data through centralized channels. Priority and control of these national assets remains with the National Command Authority (NCA).
The majority of space support comes from large numbers of microsats in distributed constellations. Some microsat systems continuously orbit the earth as part of established space support. Existing systems provide immediate force enhancement and force multiplier support, but do not adequately provide the "eyes and ears" for the theater commander in 2025. However, more constellations of reusable and disposable microsats are launched within four hours of the execute order. These systems provide tailored, optimized support to the commander and forces. These assets and the operators are "owned" by the theater commander and are fully responsive to the needs of the forces in the AOR. Constellations are a robust mix of single- and dual-purpose satellites performing communication, navigation, weather, reconnaissance, and defensive missions.
The combat satellite operators near the AOR will deploy from their garrison to remote locations. Once in place, they will command satellites into position to facilitate force support in an impending deployment or conflict. Satellite operators easily carry their equipment with them on the deployment and require almost no additional logistics infrastructure to move their equipment-in some cases, it is stuffed in a side pocket of their rucksack. This portability is a result of extraordinary miniaturization of electronics and the ability to process and distribute force enhancement data from space in 2025.
Upon reaching their locations, the satellite operators immediately set up small C2 systems, gain control of assigned satellites, and begin employment activities necessary to meet the information needs of the theater commander. Coordination with orbital analysts is not necessary since each small ground-control station immediately and automatically tracks the correct satellite. Anomalous conditions on the satellite are brought to the attention of the operator along with a list of recommended options to fix the anomaly-the operators do not need to refer to any engineers to solve most problems.
Satellite operators are difficult for the adversary to detect because their transmitters emit very narrow directional signals. In addition, the adversary has difficulty searching for the satellite operators, since they are not required to be anywhere near the AOR or the commanded satellite. If the enemy should get lucky and detect one of the satellite operators, the operator immediately grabs the portable equipment and moves to another location. If the operator is neutralized there is no emergency-the satellite continues its mission autonomously until another fully trained and capable operator takes over.
Operators control some microsats dedicated to the theater or military operation-control is not shared with other users and satellites may be reconfigured or maneuvered to support the theater commander. However, other operators are responsible for transmitting mission requirements for national multimission assets to the respective control center to satisfy the theater commander's requests. The commander gets immediate feedback when support will be delivered.
Operators anywhere on earth or in space directly uplink signals to spacenet and the signals are routed between orbiting assets to the intended satellite. Spacenet is a seamless, "invisible" system because it operates with reliability and efficiency that even terrestrial utility companies try to emulate in 2025. Extraordinary amounts of data are exchanged nearly instantaneously through laser cross-links between space systems.
The commander's forces in the AOR easily "pull" the data they need from the space systems. Artificial intelligence and "smart" software ensure that the tank drivers, infantry, sailors, pilots, and commanders in 2025 get the data they need-without the reams of accompanying "chaff." Enemy forces have access to much of the same information through commercial means, but the US OODA loop is tighter, enabling reactions well inside enemy capabilities and maintaining military superiority.
The satellites themselves are a mixture of technological masterpieces (a few national, multimission systems) and many small, cost-effective, and reusable or disposable microsat systems. These small, cost-effective, 30-pound spacecraft of 2025 parallel the unexciting but highly efficient six-dollar pocket calculators of the 1990s. The space systems of 2025 do not suffer from limits of electrical power and propulsion fuel like space systems of the 1990s-nuclear power and electric propulsion eliminated such limitations. Further, optical computers onboard the spacecraft are highly resistant to radiation and provide colossal computing power and data throughput. This computing power enables maximum satellite autonomy. Preprogrammed missions require no human intervention from start to finish unless changes are required. "Standardized" changes are commanded using macros-and more elaborate one-of-a-kind changes take a few more keystrokes from the operator.
In 2025, "space-capable" adversaries cannot negate US space forces. Microsat constellations provide inherent defensive capabilities. A constellation may include several operational, single mission microsats, two HKs and two decoy microsats. Both passive and active defenses are employed through low detectability, shielding, autonomy, detection, maneuver, deception, and HK offensive systems. When an adversary takes out a few US microsats, an execute order is issued for a four-hour response launch for replenishment microsats.
At the end of the conflict the large, multimission satellites continue their mission of global awareness and global presence. The distributed microsat systems continue normal operations. The cost-effective, single mission reusable satellites launched specifically for this operation are de-orbited to their recovery base in the Mojave Desert where they will be refurbished and prepared for the next operation.
Satellites reaching the end of their service life, particularly the "disposables," are later collected by an orbiting "spacecraft compactor." This transatmospheric vehicle (adapted to a cleanup mission) collects defunct hardware, compacts it into small, dense cubes, and jettisons them deep into space.