Us Space Force Takes Control Of Next-Generation Surveillance Satellite Program

The United States Space Force has announced plans to develop a next-generation surveillance satellite constellation, separate from its partnership with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). According to Col. Brendan Hochstein, commander of Space System Command’s new Combat Power System Delta (Delta 89), the Space Force aims to fully transition its space surveillance mission to the service itself.

Hochstein emphasized that while the partnership with the NRO has been “great and strong,” the Space Force is working to leverage lessons learned from its current operations, including the SILENTBARKER space surveillance constellation, which is currently in tandem with the NRO. The Space Force plans to use its own acquisition strategy for future satellite acquisitions, leveraging commercial providers but owning and operating the satellites themselves.

The new constellation, dubbed RG-XX, will replace the current Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) neighborhood watch birds. Under the Space Force’s current plan, RG-XX satellites will be bought from commercial providers and operated by the service. A draft request for proposals is expected to be released by the end of the year.

The transition to separate surveillance and reconnaissance missions is a deliberate move by the Space Force. Hochstein explained that the two areas require different types of assets: surveillance as “scanning the environment” and reconnaissance as “closer in” viewing specific objects with the aim of informing the kill chain. The current SILENTBARKER constellation, which is used for surveillance, will be followed by a new constellation, RG-XX, which will focus on reconnaissance.

The two constellations are related in that the surveillance birds are used to “tip and cue” the reconnaissance satellites. This means that the surveillance satellites provide general information about the environment, while the reconnaissance satellites focus on specific targets. The Space Force believes that by separating these missions, it can improve its ability to detect and track objects in space.

The new surveillance constellation will feature a wide field of view optical sensor, which is expected to be capable of detecting resident space objects at 14.5 visual magnitude with special interest in sensors capable of detection at 16+ visual magnitude. This means that the satellites will be able to detect even dimmer objects, improving their ability to track and monitor space traffic.

However, the transition to a new constellation also raises questions about the effectiveness of current systems. The Russia’s recent launch of a satellite with a 16.5 magnitude, which was reported to remain elusive to the Space Force’s network for five weeks, highlights the importance of detecting even dimmer objects. This has sparked concerns among Space Force leaders about the ability of their existing systems to keep up with emerging threats.

Despite these challenges, the Space Force is confident in its ability to develop and operate a new constellation that will meet its needs. Hochstein emphasized that the service is committed to investing in its space capabilities and ensuring that it has the best tools available to protect national security interests.

The decision to move forward with a separate surveillance constellation is part of a broader strategy by the Space Force to improve its space capabilities. The service has been actively pursuing new technologies and acquisition strategies, including the development of commercial satellite capabilities. This shift towards more commercialized acquisitions reflects a growing recognition that private industry can provide innovative solutions for military needs.

The transition to RG-XX and other constellations is expected to drive innovation in the space sector. By leveraging commercial providers and investing in new technologies, the Space Force can stay ahead of emerging threats and improve its ability to detect and track objects in space.

In addition to technical and operational implications, the decision by the Space Force to move forward with a separate surveillance constellation has significant strategic implications for national security. The development of a robust space surveillance capability is critical to understanding and countering emerging threats from nations such as Russia and China.

As the Space Force continues to develop its capabilities, it will be essential to monitor progress and ensure that investments are aligned with national security priorities. With the transition to RG-XX and other constellations, the Space Force is taking a significant step towards improving its ability to detect and track objects in space, which is critical to protecting national security interests.

The partnership between the Space Force and the NRO has been an important aspect of its development strategy. However, by moving forward with a separate surveillance constellation, the service can leverage lessons learned from its current operations while also driving innovation and improving its ability to detect and track objects in space.