Session
Session 1: The Year in Review
Abstract
In August 2017, the Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) Office launched its first operational system since ORS-1. The ORS-5 (SensorSat) satellite developed in response to a 2013 United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) urgent need for space situational awareness. Developed by MIT Lincoln Labs (MITLL) the ORS-5 satellite’s cost was less than $50 million. It served as a pathfinder for small satellite technology and procurement, was the first to operate on the Multi-Mission Satellite Operations Center 2.1 (MMSOC 2.1) ground system, and was the first commercially licensed Department of Defense (DoD) launch. The entire mission, to include the Minotaur IV launch vehicle, was under $100 million. In order to meet the principles of affordability combined with rapid timelines, ORS-5 relied heavily on streamlining defense acquisition processes and documentation, exercising a series of increasing fidelity demonstrations to rapidly assess and incorporate lessons learned, and accepting a higher risk profile to achieve success. Although ORS-5 was a lower cost system with a higher risk profile, the stakeholder community initially expected the same standards and risk profiles typical of larger, longer programs. As an operational prototype, ORS-5 provides key information to the warfighter enabling more exquisite satellite systems to utilize their full capabilities. ORS-5 demonstrated operational prototypes can meet requirements and provide value to the warfighter. This paper documents the successes and regrets associated with acquiring this class of space vehicle and recommends how to apply lessons learned from ORS-5 towards future rapid prototype missions.
ORS-5 System Acquisition Successes and Regrets
In August 2017, the Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) Office launched its first operational system since ORS-1. The ORS-5 (SensorSat) satellite developed in response to a 2013 United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) urgent need for space situational awareness. Developed by MIT Lincoln Labs (MITLL) the ORS-5 satellite’s cost was less than $50 million. It served as a pathfinder for small satellite technology and procurement, was the first to operate on the Multi-Mission Satellite Operations Center 2.1 (MMSOC 2.1) ground system, and was the first commercially licensed Department of Defense (DoD) launch. The entire mission, to include the Minotaur IV launch vehicle, was under $100 million. In order to meet the principles of affordability combined with rapid timelines, ORS-5 relied heavily on streamlining defense acquisition processes and documentation, exercising a series of increasing fidelity demonstrations to rapidly assess and incorporate lessons learned, and accepting a higher risk profile to achieve success. Although ORS-5 was a lower cost system with a higher risk profile, the stakeholder community initially expected the same standards and risk profiles typical of larger, longer programs. As an operational prototype, ORS-5 provides key information to the warfighter enabling more exquisite satellite systems to utilize their full capabilities. ORS-5 demonstrated operational prototypes can meet requirements and provide value to the warfighter. This paper documents the successes and regrets associated with acquiring this class of space vehicle and recommends how to apply lessons learned from ORS-5 towards future rapid prototype missions.
