Development of the Tactical Satellite 3 for Responsive Space Missions

Transcription

1 4th Responsive Space Conference RS Development of the Tactical Satellite 3 for Responsive Space Missions Mr. Thomas M. Davis Captain Stanley D. Straight, USAF Space Vehicles Directorate Air Force Research Laboratory Kirtland AFB, NM 4th Responsive Space Conference April 24 27, 2006 Los Angeles, CA

2 AIAA-RS Development of the Tactical Satellite 3 for Responsive Space Missions 1 Mr. Thomas M. Davis Captain Stanley D. Straight, USAF Space Vehicles Directorate Air Force Research Laboratory Kirtland AFB, New Mexico ABSTRACT Numerous Department of Defense studies show implementing a responsive satellite capability provides for significant military utility to augment or surge current space capabilities. The TacSat concept explores the capability/technological maturity of small, low-cost satellites with the most prominent efforts currently being conducted within the Science and Technology (S&T) Program. In addition to providing for ongoing innovation and demonstration in this important technology area, these S&T efforts also help mitigate technology risk and establish a concept of operations (CONOP) for future acquisitions. TacSat efforts underway by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) are focused on demonstrating small (<500kg), operationally responsive, lowcost satellite and launch capabilities to support warfighter. AFRL s Space Vehicles Directorate is leading the Tactical Satellite 3 (TacSat- 3) team and partners include Space and Missiles Center Detachment 12, the Army Space Battle Laboratory, the Air Force Space Warfare Center, the Office 2 of 10 4th Responsive Space Conference 2006 of Naval Research, and the DoD Office of Force Transformation. Building on the experiences with TacSats 1 and 2, TacSat-3 s mission was vetted through a formal payload selection process with Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) and Combatant Commands (COCOMs). TacSat-3 s mission was selected for specific capabilities to meet user needs, and to demonstrate those capabilities within cost and schedule constraints. A stepping stone for Operationally Responsive Space, TacSat-3 will experiment with a Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) capability direct to the tactical warfighter within 10 minutes of a collection opportunity. The TacSat-3 demonstration features a low cost plug and play modular bus and low cost militarily significant payloads - a Hyperspectral Imager and a secondary payload demonstrating data exfiltration provided by the Office of Naval Research.. TacSat-3 will demonstrate evolutionary steps and traceability towards objective system goals for the capabilities and processes including rapid response to a user 1 This paper is declared a work of the U.S. Government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United States.

3 defined need for material detection and identification, and battle damage assessment. Additionally, it will demonstrate traceability to enable launch processing at the launch base faster than seven days. Finally, it will feature a rapid development of the space vehicle and integrated payload and spacecraft bus by using components and processes developed by the Operationally Responsive Space Modular Bus program. capability to uplink tasking to spacecraft and will receive full data image. INTRODUCTION The goal of the tactical satellite (TacSat) demonstration program is to develop the capability to field small, inexpensive space systems in time of crisis, to augment and reconstitute existing capabilities, and perform entirely new tactical theater support missions. These space systems must be low cost and be rapidly fielded. Additionally, a TacSat must leverage a spiral technology development to support a broad range of payloads and mission. New capabilities are to be automatically built into successive generations of satellites with minimal non-recurring engineering. Figure 1. Concept of TacSat-3 Design constraints established for the TacSat-3 program include a total program cost to be less than $50M, to fit on a low cost responsive space booster and a satellite weight of less than 400 kilogram, with a build time for payload and modular bus of less than 18 months. The TacSat-3 CONOPS breaks old paradigms and gives COCOMs first realistic opportunity for responsive, dedicated space capabilities at the operational and tactical level. The TacSat-3 spacecraft will collect and process images and then downlink material ID text and geolocation or downlink full data image using a Common Data Link. An in-theater tactical ground station will have the 3 of 10 Other objectives include executing a robust program of space demonstrations as testbeds to validate and refine space science and technology, CONOPS, and military utility of TacSat-like satellite systems. It will also provide a program of warfighter experiments using TacSat to refine the operational views for the deployment of TacSat-like capabilities and to determine their military utility. A final objective is to develop a procurement strategy to insure the rapid transition of the science and technology advancements, demonstrations, and warfighter experimentation if deemed cost effective in meeting warfighter needs. The TacSat-3 demonstration addresses several military problems. The stove pipes associated with many of our current space systems tend to restrict opportunities for horizontal integration

4 and network centric operations. Theater commanders must compete with each other and other government agencies for priority in accessing our limited global space systems. Maintaining our military space advantage will require network centric space systems that are more responsive, flexible, and affordable. These attributes will enable on-demand, cost-effective augmentation of our space forces. They will permit a tailoring of space capabilities for the warfighter in response to specific and emerging crises. They will also allow for the insertion of the latest high-payoff technologies to avoid surprise. In addition to augmentation, these attributes will provide the means to rapidly reconstitute space capabilities that are destroyed or degraded through hostile action or natural phenomenon to a level that allows continued prosecution of military action. TacSat-3 follows the TacSat experimental series philosophy of providing COCOMs realistic opportunities for responsive, dedicated space capabilities at the operational and tactical level. The TacSat-3 spacecraft will collect and process images, then downlink material identification (ID) text, geolocation, and/or downlink full data image using the already fielded and established Common Data Link as well as fielded Ultra High Frequency (UHF) units. An in-theater tactical ground station will have the capability to uplink tasking to spacecraft and will receive full data image. The TacSat-3 hyperspectral imaging (HSI) payload will conduct spectral reconnaissance and surveillance fused with high resolution panchromatic (PAN) imaging. Depending on how rapidly TacSat HSI spectral products are 4 of 10 generated, the system may be able to cue other sensors or respond to tip-offs or cues from other intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assets. Figure 2. TacSat-3 Mission Concept The key objectives of TacSat-3 are rapid launch and on-orbit checkout, theater commanding, and near-real time theater data integration. TacSat-3 will experiment with capabilities and processes including a rapid response to a user defined need for target detection and identification, camouflage defeat, identification of concealment and disturbed earth, and battle damage assessment. A key component for the responsive space initiative is to leverage plug and play technologies to develop a fully modular bus. TacSat-3 will focus on the first generation of modular bus technologies. Goals of the modular bus are compliant with standard interfaces and modular subsystems. Additional objectives are a flexible data bus, plugn-play switch fabric, modular solar arrays, scalable power, and adaptable to all orbits.

5 TACSAT-3 DESCRIPTION Figure 3. TacSat-3 System Diagram TACSAT-3 SYSTEM The TacSat-3 system is illustrated in Figure 3. It consists of the ARTEMIS Sensor (a Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) Payload), an ARTEMIS Sensor Processor, a Common Data Link (CDL) communications package, a Satellite Communications Package experiment, a Satellite Avionics Experiment (SAE), and a spacecraft bus. The overall system includes a CDL ground station, a fielded warfighter, a Tactical Ground Station (TGS), and the Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN). The spacecraft is commanded and controlled by a mission operations center located at Kirtland AFB, NM. An additional payload, the Satellite Communications Payload (SCP) hosts HSI data as well as participating in the Ocean Data Telemetry Micro-Sat Link system described below. The following are descriptions of the major systems. HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGING PAYLOAD 5 of 10 The primary capability the TacSat-3 mission will provide is quality Hyperspectral Imagery (HSI) products. The Advanced Responsive Tactically- Effective Military Imaging Spectrometer (ARTEMIS) is under development for tactical military applications and is the primary payload for the TacSat-3 satellite. ARTEMIS consists of a telescope, an imaging spectrometer, and a high resolution imager. These elements produce a raw Hyperspectral image along with a raw high resolution image. The benefits of Hyperspectral imaging consists mainly of allowing spectral match indication and identification using automated routines. This is explained below under the sensor processor paragraph. The ARTEMIS sensor was designed by Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems with collaboration on the imaging spectrometer from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory as one of the first responsive space payload developments. The goals of responsive space motivated all aspects of the ARTEMIS sensor payload development. Design trades were carefully evaluated at each step with cost and schedule impacts of foremost consideration. The resulting sensor maintains technical performance while containing costs under a rapid development schedule (12 months). HSI provides unique benefits to the warfighter. The spectral information in each image lends itself to anomaly detection in a given scene, spectral matching of elements within the scene, and ultimately capabilities to distinguish man-made materials from natural materials. The raw data (often referred to as a data cube) has not only two

6 spatial dimensions, but a spectral dimension as well. ARTEMIS SENSOR PROCESSOR An innovative aspect to controlling cost and schedule was the divorce of the processing capabilities from the sensor itself. These functions are performed by the ARTEMIS Sensor Processor (SP). Control of the functions on the sensor, power switching, collecting state of health data from ARTEMIS, and storing ARTEMIS data are prime functions of the SP. Additionally, a fundamental capability of the SP is to autonomously process data cubes from ARTEMIS and produce tactically relevant for dissemination directly to the fielded warfighter. These products primarily are in the form of text products along with some imagery dependent upon the dissemination method. The Sensor Processor uniquely separates payload data management such as storage, processing, and control separate from an integrated sensor and processor. This allows for the ARTEMIS and Sensor Processor combination to be hosted on a more generic platform such as a modular bus by adapting only a piece (the SP) as required for future concepts. Additionally, it is easily expandable into a plug and play component by consolidating the sensor electrical, power, and software interfaces into a single unit. This single interface paradigm is essential to the responsive space. The primary contractors building the SP are SEAKR Engineering, Inc. and the 6 of 10 Space Computer Corporation (SCC). SEAKR Engineering is responsible for the hardware development, and SCC is responsible for the software development of both the data processing algorithms as well as the software for controlling the ARTEMIS sensor. COMMON DATA LINK (CDL) The Common Data Link communications package provides high speed data downlink and uplink functions. The Common Data Link also allows TacSat-3 to be compatible with existing fielded infrastructure, therefore minimizing unique ground station requirements. CDL (Common Data Link) is the US military s standard communications waveform for Intelligence Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) in airborne platforms. 1 The enormous data size of the raw data cubes produced by ARTEMIS requires a large bandwidth downlink which CDL provides. The CDL communications package can provide up to 274 Mbps of bandwidth. This high data rate is essential to providing a routine store and forward concept of operations when the satellite is not performing a tactical mission. The L-3 Communications Corporation is building the TacSat-3 CDL communications package. They are space qualifying an airborne asset to meet TacSat-3 s responsive space mission. SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS PACKAGE (SCP)

7 A secondary payload provided by the Office of Naval Research is the Satellite Communications Package (SCP). It has two distinct TacSat-3 functions: perform data exfiltration from oceanbased buoys and downlink tactical data products directly to the fielded warfighter. SCP is essentially a UHF radio with internal store and forward capabilities. Downlinking tactical data products via UHF services considerably more fielded systems in theater than the CDL, and pushes the data to a lower echelon to be utilized from not only a division level but possibly down to a single unit of action such as a company or brigade. profiles, and has minimal non-recurring engineering for successive satellite builds. The modular bus development process will address rapid design, fabrication, integration and test that mix and matches off-the-shelf, low-cost proven bus components to meet varied payload and orbital mission requirements. A key objective is to develop and test avionics standards to develop a robust, flexible modular bus platform. MODULAR BUS The primary objective of the Operationally Responsive Space Modular Bus initiative is to develop and demonstrate modular bus standards, interfaces, and processes to advance modular bus capabilities in order to meet rapidly evolving and unanticipated tactical military needs. This requires that tactically relevant space system performance be delivered much faster and at lower cost. This adaptable, lowcost modular bus enables the tactical warfighter to rapidly deploy tactical satellites as low-cost consumables to fill critical requirements. These tactical satellites become additional nodes within a tiered network of tactical and national systems comprised of ground, air, and space assets. The goal is to move toward an adaptable modular bus development process that leverages plug-and-play standards and interfaces and incorporates the latest bus component technologies, supports multiple payloads and orbital mission 7 of 10 Figure 4. Modular Bus Objectives The long-term responsive goal is that modular satellite assembly and test be accomplished in a matter of days for a fraction of the cost of current buses. An analogue to these goals is the evolution of main frame computers to current lowcost modular PCs, which can be rapidly tailored to meet a broad range of computing and interface requirements. However, there are many space unique challenges that must be addressed: limited market, long-lead components, varied orbital environments and power profiles, varied payload requirements and interfaces, varied attitude measurement and control requirements, high component costs, high costs for high reliability, etc. Example characteristics desired in the modular bus design are: prudent modularity for

8 rapid customization, standardized interfaces, plug-and-play, internet-like data architecture, robust design to span varied requirements, communications hardware to interface with theater intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) networks, intelligent adaptation to open standards such as Ethernet, Spacewire, and USB (to accommodate power delivery, synchronization, and fault tolerance), common software adaptability via scripts and data sheets, rapid assembly and test, and autonomous satellite operations. The plug-and-play approach must be carefully structured to avoid rapid obsolescence and restrictions to future full and open competition due to proprietary elements, while providing a form of modularity and scalability that has previously been desired but not achieved. The goal is not to develop a capable point design but rather to develop a modular bus configuration and process to produce and deliver such modular buses. This process must continually evolve the bus configuration to incorporate mature component technologies, to interface with an evolving user network, and to support new and different payload requirements (e.g., packaging and CONOPS). The modular bus size is targeted toward the DARPA/Air Force FALCON class of launch vehicles, assumes a payload mass fraction of 50-75%, and targets a design life of one year. Four contractor teams were selected to develop a preliminary design in August These were Design_Net, Denver, CO; Microsat Systems, Littleton, CO; Millennium Space Systems, Manhattan Beach, CA; and Swales Aerospace, Beltsville, MD. The preliminary designs were completed in February 2006; the contractor team to fabricate the actual TacSat-3 modular bus is planned to be selected in late April 2006 with delivery of the bus months later. The bus is expected to weigh approximately 140 kilograms with power in the 1000 Watt range. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS TacSat-3 s Concept of Operations (CONOPS) can be classified into two different modes: routine and tactical. The routine mode is for collecting HSI data outside of the assigned theater of operation. The tactical mode is reserved for anytime the spacecraft can collect over an assigned theater of operation. The primary purpose of the Tactical Satellite series is to provide the tactical warfighter a dedicated space asset, and as such the tactical mode is the first priority. However, all space systems will have global capabilities due to the nature of orbiting the Earth. Demonstrating the synergy of these two modes is a major goal for TacSat-3. TACTICAL MODE The tactical mode is driven by one requirement: to demonstrate responsive delivery of decision-quality information to operational and tactical commanders by enabling tactical tasking and data delivery. The delivery latency of the decision-quality information must be less than 30 min at a maximum with a goal of less than 10 min. However, due to TacSat-3 s Low Earth Orbit altitude often this timeline must be accomplished in less than 10 min. Figure 5 illustrates the Tactical mode operations. 8 of 10

9 VMOC (KAFB & TGS) SIPRNET SIPRNET Payload DC (HAFB) Mission Planning (KAFB) Figure 5. Tactical Mode Operations The primary sequence starts with the warfighter transmitting a collection task to the Tactical Ground Station (TGS) prior to a collection opportunity. A collection opportunity is defined as any time TacSat-3 can collect a Hyperspectral image within the assigned theater. The TGS formats the tasking for receipt by the spacecraft. The tasking can be modified at any moment until after a short period of time after acquisition of signal with the TGS. An alternate path for tasking the spacecraft runs through the mission operations center and the AFSCN via the secure internet. TacSat-3 can be tasked for a tactical collect prior to a collection opportunity. Upon receipt of a properly formatted tasking, TacSat-3 autonomously slews to the target, collects the data, processes the data, then downlinks the data directly to the warfighter. The tactical data product is determined by the original tasking, and is tailorable to meet the warfighter s needs and communications capabilities. Once the tactical product has been disseminated the raw data is downlinked to the next available site. The raw data 9 of 10 can be further processed for more detailed products and retransmitted to the theater, but with considerably more latency. This reach back capability provides a wider range of available data products, but with greater latency. TacSat-3 s tactical mode drives the system design, and is consistent with other responsive space mission constraints of cost and schedule. DEMONSTRATION EVALUATION As a demonstration mission the primary product will be an evaluation of its utility in a militarily relevant environment. TacSat-3 is taking advantage of Modeling and Simulation Analysis (MS&A) in addition to participation in field exercises. The MS&A analyses have shown utility in a variety of missions. These missions will be further vetted with operational warfighters exercising the system in field exercises. Operational warfighters have shown interest in evaluating TacSat-3 s potential. In addition to characterizing the military utility of the TacSat-3 system, a comprehensive sensor evaluation and calibration routine will be performed. The focus of this evaluation is to evaluate the feasibility of acquiring an operational TacSat-3 system. TacSat-3 s design process and procedure focuses not only on demonstrating the art of the possible, but streamlining the initial acquisition of operational systems based upon its capabilities. A full evaluation will allow future acquirers to selectively target scarce funding and schedule resources for the final operational system.

10 CONCLUSION TacSat-3 is one in a series of demonstrations with small satellites to support the DoD Responsive Space initiative. It will also demonstrate a streamlined acquisition model for operational system. The TacSat-3 mission addresses operational responsive space needs and provides an HSI payload provides military utility to theatre commanders. TacSat-3 is a responsive space mission with a focus to provide a full capability direct to the warfighter, while meeting the cost and schedule portion of the responsive space paradigm. Crucial to the success of the TacSat-3 mission are well defined mission objectives coupled with measurable and feasible mission success criteria. All design information and trades must be traceable to these success criteria. TacSat-3 mission addresses needs for operational responsive space and has strong support from Air Force and DoD leadership. New Defense Business Model, Parameters, Summer 2005 Straight, S. and Davis, T., Development of the Tactical Satellite 3 for Responsive Space Missions, Georgia Institute of Technology 2005 Systems Engineering Conference, Atlanta, GA, November 2005 Doyne, T., Hurley, M., and Davis, T., Network-Enabled Program Management: Meeting the Space Acquisition Challenge, High Frontier, January 2006 REFERENCES Anne Plummer, Small Radar-Enabled Satellite Eyed For Aid to Ground Troops, Inside the Army, Washington Publishers, November 29, Galindez, Richard, Morrow, Darren, et. al., A Common Data Link (CDL) For Space-Based Communications: Migration of Airborne Hardware to Space, Proceedings for Utah State University Small Satellite Conference, Aug 14, 2005 Cebrowski, A.K. and Raymond, J.W., Operationally Responsive Space: A 10 of 10