Abstract
Existing military communication systems use large, very expensive, heavily tasked “national asset” communications satellites located in geostationary orbits, often supplemented by leased capabilities on commercial satellites. As data and voice communication needs have increased with the adoption of network-centric warfare operations, these assets may becoming increasingly oversubscribed and unavailable when needed by tactical warfighters. The Air Force has established an office of Operational Responsive Space (ORS) to address these and other challenges. The Geo Small Sat (GSS) concept is less complex than a LEO constellation system, employing only a single small UHF/L Band communications satellite launched by a small responsive vehicle and self-boosted to a geostationary orbit over a region of interest. The small, highly capable satellite will be reconfigurable to support all UHF and L-band communication networks. Making this novel solution a reality will require the use of several key mission technologies: • Compatibility with existing small responsive launch vehicles. • A propulsion system capable of LEO-to-GEO transfer. • A small satellite bus capable of supporting a communications payload adaptable for existing ground systems. • A deployable antenna (18 meters in diameter), that can be packaged within the available launch vehicle’s volume.
Presentation Slides
Geostationary Small Satellite for Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) Communications Missions
Existing military communication systems use large, very expensive, heavily tasked “national asset” communications satellites located in geostationary orbits, often supplemented by leased capabilities on commercial satellites. As data and voice communication needs have increased with the adoption of network-centric warfare operations, these assets may becoming increasingly oversubscribed and unavailable when needed by tactical warfighters. The Air Force has established an office of Operational Responsive Space (ORS) to address these and other challenges. The Geo Small Sat (GSS) concept is less complex than a LEO constellation system, employing only a single small UHF/L Band communications satellite launched by a small responsive vehicle and self-boosted to a geostationary orbit over a region of interest. The small, highly capable satellite will be reconfigurable to support all UHF and L-band communication networks. Making this novel solution a reality will require the use of several key mission technologies: • Compatibility with existing small responsive launch vehicles. • A propulsion system capable of LEO-to-GEO transfer. • A small satellite bus capable of supporting a communications payload adaptable for existing ground systems. • A deployable antenna (18 meters in diameter), that can be packaged within the available launch vehicle’s volume.
