Lt Col Tim Thompson

1
Responsive Space ConferenceSpace Needs Panel
Session

• Lt Col Tim Thompson
• 20 Apr 04

2
AFSPC - Operationally Responsive Space Need

• Major tasks
• Transport mission assets to, through and from
  space
• Spacecraft servicing
• Key capabilities
• On-demand payload deployment (CAV and satellites)
• Launch to sustain constellations for peacetime
  ops
• Recoverable, rapid-response transport
• Integrated space operations mission planning
• Key characteristics
• Responsive, maneuverable, economical, survivable,
  flexible, interoperable

JROC-Validated Mission Needs Statement (Apr 02)
3
ORS Analysis of Alternatives

• Determine military utility of potential
  capabilities that ORS can provide to meet
  National Security needs across all AFSPC mission
  areas
• - Force Application - Counterspace
• - Force Enhancement - Space Support
• Evaluate range of candidate solutions for the ORS
  Mission Needs Statement
• Launch emphasis, with insight into other
  capabilities
• Develop launch alternatives
• Broad trade space expendable, reusable, hybrid
  rocket and air breathers
• Determine life cycle cost/risk for each
  alternative
• Provide acquisition strategy and technology/risk
  mitigation roadmap for a potential ORS
  acquisition decision

4
AoA Findings

• AoA results identified key risk areas and
  uncertainties that must be addressed prior to
  acquisition decision
• Spacelift ground processing timelines
• RLV and small ELV production costs
• RLV technology maturation

5
AFRL-AFSPC TacSat Initiative

• OVERALL OBJECTIVE - Build an executable plan to
  demonstrate TacSats in warfighter experiments,
  exercises, and wargames to reduce risks in future
  responsive space systems acquisition
• TACSAT CHARACTERISTICS
• Responsive
• Development lt 15 Months
• Launch from Call-Up lt 7 days
• Operational from Orbital Insertion lt 1 day
• Integrated Spacecraft Weight 1000 Lb
• DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM
• Launch on 12 month centers
• Build upon on-going TacSat-1 and TacSat-2
  programs
• Leverage DARPA/AF FALCON program booster
  development
• Community-wide participation
• Government AFSPC/NRO/DARPA/ONR/AFMC(AFRL)
• Industry
• Academia
• Goal for first operational system spiral IOC
  2011

Contribute to energizing small satellite/launcher
industrial base
6
Vision for Joint Warfighting Space (JWS)

• Rapid-reaction, Joint Forces Commander (JFC)
  -dedicated space capabilities
• Tailored for specific missions/geographic areas
• Emphasis on operational/tactical levels of war
• Real time integration into self-forming/self-heali
  ng networks
• Provides decision quality data to the warfighter
• Augments national asset support

7
Joint Warfighting Space Implications

• May require relatively low-cost, short-lived
  satellites
• Focused-mission satellites
• Standard buses with plug-n-play payload
  interfaces
• War-ready reserve of launchers and payloads
• ISR, comm, nav, space superiority and CAV
  payloads
• Mission flexibility through modular components
• Establish routine and rapid acquisition for space
• Develop, fabricate and field urgent combat
  solutions
• Implementation may require new operational
  concepts
• C2 organizational relationships and processes
• Responsive range and launch operations
• Satellite/payload integration and on-orbit
  operations