Space Weather Architecture Study Space Architect Exercise Scenario 3

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Space Weather Architecture Study Space Architect
ExerciseScenario 3

• Mr Jim Manley
• 27 October 1998

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Scenario 3Undisturbed Solar Conditions

• Seven days after the major solar event, the
  near-earth environment has recovered to pre-storm
  conditions
• Being at Solar Maximum, equatorial ( 20 deg.
  geomagnetic equator) scintillation frequently
  occurs, intermittently after sunset, for periods
  up to six hours causing
• SATCOM UHF GPS receivers suffer intermittent
  loss of communications
• Space-based radar systems, operating at VHF-UHF
  frequencies are degraded

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Cellular CommunicationsSatellite NetworkMission
Scenario

• Tactical unit operating in SW Asia in an urban
  area
• Access to sats limited by terrain, buildings
• Cellular CommunicationsSatellite Network
  available
• Chemical, biological, and missile alerts through
  pager warning system
• Contact needed w/HQ command post
• Beyond line of sight
• After sunset

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Cellular CommunicationsSatellite Network

• SWx Impacts
• Cellular and paging signals undergoing rapid
  fluctuations of /- 15-20dB intermittently over
  4-hour period after sunset
• Critical threat info for tactical unit missed

• Potential Operational Response
• ID alt comm means
• Wait till signal conditions improve
• Abort mission
• Plan new mission profile

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Bistatic RadarMission

• Spacebased radar illuminators with UAV receivers
  provides detection, identification and tracking
  of low cross-section air vehicles
• Situation Enemy cruise missile salvo requires
  detection and tracking for handover to weapons
  platforms

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Bistatic Radar

• SWx Impacts
• Scintillation can reduce radar illumination,
  limiting detection range

• Mitigation
• Deploy more UAV receivers
• Increase target dwell times (decrease targets in
  track)
• Wait out scintillation