Philosophy of milsats

This is moving in the right direction, although I'd recommend that
"responsive" be tied to what that means for ICBMs: minutes, maybe an
hour or two, not days or weeks. Also, "production" should not be
directly tied into the "responsive" bit, any more than it is for ICBMs.

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http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Responsive_Space_Demonstrator_Ready_To_Roll_999.html

Responsive Space Demonstrator Ready To Roll
by Michael Kleiman
Kirtland AFB NM (SPX) Nov 07, 2006

Officials are saying the December launch of a tactical satellite,
dubbed TacSat-2, will serve as the predecessor for rapid satellite
production, launch and operation. Managed by the Air Force Research
Laboratory's Space Vehicles Directorate here, TacSat-2 has evolved into
a responsive space demonstrator ready for flight in 24 months. Similar
military spacecraft have taken 10 years or longer to go from the
drawing board into space.

In addition, the micro satellite provides an inexpensive alternative to
most current defense-related space systems, which cost about 90 percent
more.

Employing the responsive space concept, plans are under way in the Air
Force to design, construct, test and deliver a mission-ready satellite
within a 15-month time frame, as well as launch and operate the vehicle
in the cosmos one week following receipt of a tasking order.

Neal Peck, the TacSat-2 program manager, said he's excited about the
TacSat-2 launch from NASA's Wallops Island Flight Facility, Wallops
Island, Va., because TacSat-2 is another demonstration of a new way of
doing business.

"We have had high-level Air Force and DOD interest as well as
high-level congressional interest," Mr. Peck said. "The push that we
are getting from high levels will cause real change in how we procure
space systems. TacSat-2 is step one in that process."

TacSat-2 weighs about 814 pounds. It features 11 onboard experiments,
which will be conducted during the spacecraft's planned six- to
12-month mission.

Among them is the Navy's Target Indicator Experiment, or TIE. It
consists of a wideband sensor to gather radar, radio and handheld
communication signals. The TIE also will check for the automated
identification transmission now mandated for large ocean-going ships.
The 20-inch optical telescope will be operated during the satellite's
initial day in orbit and throughout the flight to exhibit low-cost,
high-quality photography.

Other scheduled tests include: the integrated global positioning system
occultation receiver, which will compile high-precision location data
for the micro satellite; recycled solar array panels producing 500
watts of power; and autonomous operations allowing TacSat-2 to think
for itself.

The Common Data Link, or CDL, tactical radio is one trial that has
significant impact to deployed forces. The CDL will provide
communication and imagery to the Modular Interoperable Surface
Terminal, or MIST, located at the Navy's China Lake, Calif., facility.
During functional testing, the apparatus successfully passed color
pictures through the spacecraft to the ground station. In addition,
program personnel will assess the satellite's ability to accept
commands from the MIST.

"TacSat-2 will directly benefit the troop on the ground," Mr. Peck
said. "By demonstrating that it can communicate directly with the China
Lake facility, TacSat-2 can directly talk to any common data link
compatible ground station across the globe.

"The trend is toward low-cost systems like TacSat-2, but that is a
philosophical change," Mr. Peck continued. "The current philosophy is
to build highly redundant systems to last 10 to 20 years in orbit.
These platforms cost billions of dollars and they are already obsolete
(technologically speaking) before their lifetime expires in orbit. Now,
by flying the most recent technology, their lifetime is short, but they
do not become obsolete, and the federal government will save a lot of
money."

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