WASHINGTON — As the space race intensifies and geopolitical tensions rise, the Pentagon is looking to technologies to improve its understanding of activities in outer space.
The Space Security and Defense Program (SSDP), a joint initiative of the Department of Defense and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, issued a statement on September 11 Request for Information (RFI) SSDP is tasked with assessing potential threats to U.S. space assets and gathering information on technologies to defend U.S. systems.
Space domain awareness, or SDA, refers to the ability to monitor and understand the wide range of man-made objects in Earth's orbit, including satellites and space debris.
RFI is a formal mechanism used by government agencies to solicit ideas before committing to contracts. Military leaders for years They have argued that the increasingly crowded and contested space environment requires more sophisticated tools to track and analyze objects in orbit. The RFI specifically seeks “proven and innovative SDA concepts that prioritize support for military operations, surveillance of man-made objects, intelligence gathering, and environmental monitoring.”
The publication of the RFI follows the guidelinesComments by retired Lieutenant General John Shaw, Shaw, a former senior official at U.S. Space Command, expressed concern about the U.S. military’s ability to adapt to the changing dynamics of space. He said the current focus remains on basic cataloging of space objects, rather than more aggressive tracking of elusive targets in unconventional orbits where adversaries could deploy spacecraft to attack U.S. satellites.
The SSDP calls for “proven and innovative SDA concepts for use between 2030 and 2040” and is interested in industry capabilities and services available “at the scale and speed needed to effectively address threats in a dynamic and proliferating environment.”
Companies in the SDA industry rely on a range of advanced technologies to monitor and analyze activities in space.
Ground-based radar, optical, and infrared sensors are used to track the movements of satellites, debris, and other objects, while space-based sensors provide additional monitoring capabilities. These sensors collect large amounts of data, which is then processed by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms. By analyzing historical data, these tools can predict future movements of space objects, making it possible to detect potential collisions or other hazards.
Additionally, companies are using sensor fusion techniques, combining data from multiple sensors to create a more detailed and complete understanding of the space environment.
