In what seems like a response to the congressional study on the need to upgrade the NC3 system(see my blog post last week), the Space Warfighting Analysis Center (SWAC) is studying the development of a next-generation, multi-orbit architecture NC3 capability. Col. Robert Davis, program executive officer for the Space Systems Command’s (SSC) Space Sensing Directorate, highlighted that the study might influence the design of future satellite constellations, possibly incorporating radiation hardening. This would impact the Resilient Missile Warning-Tracking program’s medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellites and the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) low Earth orbit (LEO) constellations, both of which use agile development models with incrementally more capable satellites.
Currently, radiation hardening is a key issue as it increases the size and cost of small satellite designs planned through 2030. Unlike the large, radiation-hardened Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) satellites and their Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared System (Next-Gen OPIR) replacements, the MEO and LEO constellations require many smaller satellites for global coverage. SSC is preparing a request for proposal for Epoch 2 of the constellation, aiming to launch around 18 satellites, despite terminating RTX’s contract for three satellites due to cost overruns. The focus remains on maintaining the program’s pace to achieve the initial missile tracking capability, which is crucial for national defense.
Modernizing this system will expose the system to new faults but it can also be a opportunity to add additional security. The diversity of the orbits will also be key when assuring the availability of this crucial capability. Additionally, this will give the US an opportunity to start the design process from the ground up starting keeping cyber security in mind and not have it be an afterthought. The questions that I do have with the upgrade/modernization is
Will they include modern security features such as AI or Machine Learning?
Also, will this be a full modernization or will it keep some aspects of the old system? Which could open up the system to some old vulnerabilities or a supply chain attack