Check out this artist’s depiction of how a retired satellite’s still usable antenna might one day be salvaged and turned into a new space asset as part of DARPA’s Phoenix program.
The goal of Phoenix is to develop and demonstrate technologies to cooperatively harvest and re-use valuable components from retired, nonworking satellites in GEO to create new space systems at greatly reduced cost.
By robotically removing and re-using GEO-based space apertures and antennas from de-commissioned satellites in the graveyard or disposal orbit, space “junk” could become space “asset.”
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The first Mobile User Objective System satellite is fully integrated and ready to be transferred to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to prepare for liftoff aboard an Atlas V launch vehicle on Feb. 16, 2012. (Photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin)
This is a rare event as the Navy doesn’t often have a significant role in space. Typically satellite launches are handled by the Air Force, however the Navy is responsible for all of DOD’s Ultra High Frequency (UHF) narrowband satellite communications acquisition. The UHF radio frequency spectrum is the military’s most effective band for penetrating jungle foliage, bad weather, and urban settings. All U.S. military forces and many of our allies rely upon Navy satellites for these communications.
MUOS combines commericial third generation (3G) Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) cellular technology with geosychronous satellites to provide a more capable communications network for our warfighters. When complete, the constellation will include four operational satellites with an additional on-orbit spare, a ground control system, and a network management system. Flying the satellites and controlling access to users’ communications can all be managed from the ground.
by Tech. Sgt. Chris Powell, Defense Media Activity
Senior defense officials from six countries announced a multilateral partnership in wideband global satellite (WGS) communication, which is valued at more than $10 billion, Jan. 17 here.
(U.S. Air Force Graphic/Corey Parrish)
The officials from Canada, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the U.S. held an initial WGS partnership steering committee meeting prior to the announcement.
“This new WGS partnership provides an example of how the U.S. plans to continue exploring opportunities to strengthen our existing cooperative relationship and to build new partnerships,” said Heidi Grant, the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs. “These activities will bolster our mutual trust, help to achieve further interoperability for our warfighters, and will increase the capabilities and capacity of all partners.”
Currently, there are three WGS satellites in orbit, with six additional satellites scheduled for launches from 2012 through 2018, including a ninth satellite that is enabled by the new partnership.
A Delta II rocket launches from Space Launch Complex 2 here Oct. 28, 2011. The rocket carried NASA's NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) satellite into orbit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Andrew Satran)
California night owls got to see an amazing streak of light zip across the sky early Friday morning.
It was a weather satellite on it’s way to space to collect data on both long-term climate change and short-term weather conditions.
Airmen at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California launched the Delta II rocket carrying NASA’s NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) satellite from Space Launch Complex-2W at 2:48 a.m. PDT today.
“In 2008, the Operationally Responsive Space Office approached the Space Development and Test Directorate and suggested a partnership to meet an urgent warfighter need. We knew this would be a tough challenge, but we were eager to do whatever we could to assist US Central Command. I want to thank Dr. Wegner for his confidence in the Space Development and Test Directorate. As a result of this partnership, the Space Development and Test Directorate was tasked to provide the satellite, command and control system, test capabilities, and the launch vehicle. We are immensely proud to field space capabilities supporting U.S. Central Command and our forces engaged in the fight.
“In order to meet the timelines requested by US Central Command, we tailored the Space and Missiles Systems Center’s standard approach to space acquisition to accept a higher risk posture than other than other space system acquisition programs. For example, ORS-1 uses some components which have not been qualified to standards for space flight. To mitigate some of the risk, the team introduced measures such as memory error detection and correction algorithms to help detect and repair any upsets to the on-board memory. Along the way we’ve learned many lessons in the art of rapid space acquisitions, and once ORS-1 is on-orbit, we will continue to learn how to more rapidly provide space capabilities. This combined government and contractor team has demonstrated great dedication and persistence to meet the challenge of developing a new satellite and supporting ground system in record time. (more…)
Join NORAD to track Santa's journey across the globe!
Dr. John Ohab is a new technology strategist at the Department of Defense Public Web Program.
Scientists, engineers, and US. government officials are working to help Santa prepare for his annual global journey.
The Federal Aviation Administration just approved his sleigh, outfitted with new satellite-based NextGen technology. The sleigh’s onboard systems will allow Santa One to maintain cruising altitude for as long as possible before making a continuous descent into cities and towns around the world. While maneuvering on rooftops, an advanced, onboard runway safety system will help reduce the risk of incursions between the sleigh and chimneys.
“Children around the world will get their gifts on time, regardless of the weather, thanks to NextGen,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We’re proud to say NextGen is bringing Santa Claus to town.”
According to the American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), Elf Soen Firr, chief Santa suit engineer, confirmed that Santa’s red suit has also been weatherproofed and tested to ensure Santa will stay warm and dry in any type of weather. No further details of the suit’s material or capabilities were released. You can track Santa’s flight this Christmas Eve on NORAD’s website, Google Earth, Twitter, Facebook, and Picasa.