U.S. Enhances Satellite Security with 'Own-Ship Awareness' Radar
The Space Rapid Capabilities Office (SpRCO) is enhancing U.S. satellite security with 'own-ship awareness' capabilities. It aims to award contracts worth $3 million each to two vendors by year-end for demonstrating small, cost-effective on-board radar systems. These systems will detect and identify incoming radar signals, bolstering space domain awareness.
Pentagon officials have highlighted the need for improved threat detection in space. SpRCO has already launched three early prototypes in 2023, successfully monitoring Chinese capabilities. By the end of 2025, SpRCO plans to award two more contracts for demonstrating these radar systems on Space Force satellites. This presents a bigger integration challenge than the commercial satellites used for prototypes.
SpRCO is currently working with the Space Force to integrate the first low size, weight, and power radar on a candidate satellite in geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO). The goal is to promote real-time 'own-ship awareness' for U.S. national security satellites, enabling targeting of enemy satellites and spacecraft. Following this, SpRCO plans a follow-on SBIR award for small on-board optical payloads for threat warning.
The SpRCO's efforts to enhance space domain awareness are crucial for 'orbital warfare'. With contracts awarded and prototypes tested, the U.S. is advancing towards real-time 'own-ship awareness' for its satellites, bolstering national security in the space domain.
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