Theater control of satellite mission payloads

Background The opportunity to provide space generated information directly into the theater of operations using the ever-growing number of satellites orbited by military, civil, and commercial users has never been greater. Technology in such areas as expert systems, communications, and computers has also advanced greatly in the last few years, as has the use of space generated information in forward areas. The result is an increased demand for more space generated information which is not centrally processed and perhaps delayed, but comes directly from the spacecraft. Therein lies the challenge: centralized vs. decentralized satellite mission data control. The U.S. military space community is intent on centralized control. The 14” AF Space Operations Center (SOC) is to be the focal point for all requests for space support and space execution activities, yet the forward deployed units are requesting a more direct injection of information. The argument and intent on both sides is to model the space operations activities after the Joint Forces Air Component Commander (JFACC) operations concept a system which has evolved into a highly viable solution for integrating multiservice air operations into theater ground operations. The issue, however, is each side’s interpretation of how the JFACC works. Compounding the issue is the general trend by the civil/commercial sector to provide either raw data or processed information to the user as a function of user choice/purchase option. It is important to remember the “Space Race” started in the late 1950’s under President Eisenhower. When Garry Powers’ U-2 -was shot down, the decision was made that the U.S. would continue our reconnaissance, but at a higher altitude. So the treasury doors were opened, the money started to flow and the National Command Authority (NCA) started to receive information again. Naturally, several relatively large organizations developed to support this strategic technological step. Initially, all the programs were highly classified. As time passed, the space systems both proliferated and demonstrated their utility. The information they provided started reaching a broader audience. By the 1970’s it was common knowledge that the United States had a classified space capability. President Carter’s public announcement that we could take pictures from space was simply a confirmation of things most people suspected. Not a huge surprise, since most Americans had seen pictures of the earth from the Gemini, Apollo and Skylab programs. Another reasonably accurate assumption most Americans had made was the military use of space assets. What was not fully appreciated was the military’s growing dependence on space provided data and information. At the senior military level, there was a emerging awareness of our dependence on space information. There was also the knowledge that survivable military systems needed to be mobile. The linking of those two thoughts generated experimentation with military systems including mobile satellite command and control (C2). Clearly, the national command authority wanted to retain control and use of the resources the US had spent large amounts of time and money placing on orbit. Early concerns revolved around communications. By the Mid 1970’s the DOD was actively pursuing satellite based communication capable of operating through and after a nuclear engagement. The Lincoln Experimental Satellite (LES) 8 & 9 were prototypes demonstrating this capability, Additionally, they demonstrated that they could be commanded remotely. Among other things, these systems included an airborne C2 system which demonstrated two commanding techniques. First they demonstrated the ability to command the satellite in view. Second they demonstrated they could use the satellite in view to cross link to the vehicle “out of sight” and command that vehicle. The airborne C2 system was a success, but it raised questions. Could ‘one C2 system command several types of satellites? Not This paper examines many of the complex questions in the process of providing timely space based information to the forward deployed user.