Session
Session III: Where We're Going Section 2
Abstract
The mention of satellite reconnaissance brings to mind images of large spacecraft, centralized command centers, and vast rooms of image analysts reading license plates and following political leaders in foreign countries. This vision of the Cold War shaped a generation of design practices. With miniaturization, satellites are achieving greater capabilities in smaller packages. The end of the Cold War and an era of war against terrorism changed reconnaissance targets and objectives. These two factors created opportunities in space research and development for small companies and academic institutions. This paper examines 11 paradigms in satellite reconnaissance and how these paradigms are evolving from meeting strategic needs to tactical needs. The areas aremission planning, data collection, data preservation, on-board processing, data transmission, data volume, ground processing, data confidence, order of battle, response time, and programmatic cost. The analysis includes business opportunities emerging as a result of this shift, focusing on product opportunities and business paradigms necessary to establish industry standards for broad market acceptance. It addresses emerging technologies that must mature to meet current and future needs.
Presentation Slides
The Changing Paradigms of Satellite Reconnaissance, Creating Opportunities in the Small Satellite Industry
The mention of satellite reconnaissance brings to mind images of large spacecraft, centralized command centers, and vast rooms of image analysts reading license plates and following political leaders in foreign countries. This vision of the Cold War shaped a generation of design practices. With miniaturization, satellites are achieving greater capabilities in smaller packages. The end of the Cold War and an era of war against terrorism changed reconnaissance targets and objectives. These two factors created opportunities in space research and development for small companies and academic institutions. This paper examines 11 paradigms in satellite reconnaissance and how these paradigms are evolving from meeting strategic needs to tactical needs. The areas aremission planning, data collection, data preservation, on-board processing, data transmission, data volume, ground processing, data confidence, order of battle, response time, and programmatic cost. The analysis includes business opportunities emerging as a result of this shift, focusing on product opportunities and business paradigms necessary to establish industry standards for broad market acceptance. It addresses emerging technologies that must mature to meet current and future needs.
