Col. Russell F. Teehan, Air Force Research Laboratory, Col. John S. Anttonen, AF Space & Missile Systems Center, Joy M. Stein, Air Force Research Laboratory, Jaime A. Stearns, Air Force Research Laboratory
Keywords: Prototyping, Space Situational Awareness
Abstract:
Space is undergoing a period of great change, as the barriers to entry are lowering in every arena. Launch to any orbit is becoming more routine and feasible thanks to industry innovation, the rise of small- and cubesats, and the use of ESPA rings enabling “freight trains to GEO.” With more regular rides to space, there is a concomitant rise in the capability for space qualification, technology validation and verification, and all types of experimentation in both the space and ground segments. The types of architectures that commercial and government agencies develop is being influenced because space is becoming more accessible. Whereas current architectures are designed to have four to six satellites perform a mission, in the future that same mission may be distributed among dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of satellites. This changing landscape is something of a double-edged sword for Space Situational Awareness (SSA): safety of flight becomes a heightened concern, but the opportunities for the entire community to innovate, prototype, and ultimately provide novel, robust solutions have never been greater.
Date of Conference: September 19-22, 2017
Track: Featured