DARPA Perspective on Space

Transcription

1 DARPA Perspective on Space Ms. Pamela A. Melroy, Deputy Director DARPA Tactical Technology Office Briefing prepared for International Symposium for Personal and Commercial Spaceflight (ISPCS) 2015 October 7, 2015

2 Mission The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) was established in 1958 to prevent strategic surprise from negatively affecting U.S. national security and create strategic surprise for U.S. adversaries by maintaining the technological superiority of the U.S. military. To fulfill its mission, the Agency relies on diverse performers to apply multi-disciplinary approaches to both advance knowledge through basic research and create innovative technologies that address current practical problems through applied research. As the DoD s primary innovation engine, DARPA undertakes projects that are finite in duration but that create lasting revolutionary change. 2

3 Challenges in Space Launch Flexibility Current launch has no surge capability and long call-up times 2+ years to get into the queue Maserati custom-built production line of a few vs. Ford assembly line of thousands Fixed launch sites are vulnerable Cost of Satellites DoD payloads launched on Evolved ELV at >$3B/year & growing Small payloads launched at $50M+ on few remaining Minotaurs Budgets declining across the department Reuters NOAA Space Domain Awareness There are approximately 16,000+ objects in km 3 (240,000 oceans) Approximately 12,020 in LEO, 1,890 in MEO, and 1,890 in GEO LEO Number of Objects Can t detect & track Can detect & track Known objects in LEO orbit 12,020 NOAA Can characterize KEY Cannot detect, track and characterize every object simultaneously U.S. satellites International satellites U.S. debris International debris Size of Objects (RCS m 2 ) 3

4 DARPA Vision for Robust Space Launch: Flexible, affordable access Affordable, routine and reliable access to space Aircraft-like space access to lower cost and increase capabilities Satellite: Changing the paradigm of satellite operations New satellite architectures for speed and robustness GEO space robotics to repair and assemble very large satellites that could not be launched Space Domain Awareness (SDA): Real-time space domain awareness Real-time detection and tracking versus catalog maintenance and days to weeks of forensics 4

5 Access to Space Experimental Spaceplane (XS-1) Airborne Launch Assist Space Access (ALASA) XS-1 aims to lower launch costs and increase space capabilities with aircraft-like space access ALASA s aims to provide more affordable, routine and reliable access to space for multiple missions Program goals: Break cycle of escalating space system costs by: Enabling future space system architectures Leveraging interests & capabilities of commercial sector and space tourism Expand the reusable air-launched concept with a hypersonic vehicle capable of launching 3,000- to 5,000- lbs payloads for $5M with low-cost upper stage Mature and integrate technologies supporting launch and hypersonic vehicles Demonstrate mission assurance by flying 10 times in 10 days Artist s Concept Program goals: Leverage performance, flexibility and re-usability of air launch, and streamlined design and manufacturing Reduce infrastructure costs by using runways vs. fixed sites, automating operations; avoiding unnecessary services Launch 100-pound payloads for under $1M per flight, including range costs Have the satellite on orbit 24 hours after the request Escape the constraints of fixed direction and location for space launch Exercise the concept frequently enough to make operations increasingly efficient and cost-effective Artist s Concept Artist s Concept Artist s Concept 5

6 Payload Orbital Delivery (POD) System A standardized mechanism designed to safely carry and release in GEO a wide variety of payloads aboard commercial communications satellites Increase opportunities for small mass (~ kg) to many orbits (including GEO): High-tempo launches POD payload is agnostic to launch vehicle, interfacing instead with the GEO host spacecraft Provide opportunities for rideshare and separation from a host: Adjustable, precise and reliable payload ejection Low POD tumble rates for safe release Low dynamic disturbance to host Increase responsiveness: Efficient integration, testing and qualification, and minimized need for re-verification, allowing for late integration to the hosting satellite Flexibility in payload geometry and CG location Approved for Public Release (DISTAR 24265), Distribution Unlimited. 6

7 Satlets A new low-cost, modular satellite architecture that can scale almost infinitely experiment for Cellular Integration Technologies (excite) Satlets are small modules that incorporate multiple essential satellite functions and share data, power and thermal management capabilities Satlets physically aggregate in different combinations that would provide capabilities to accomplish diverse missions Orbit: 450x deg Date: 1QFY16 Life: 2-8 weeks Launch: 1 of 5 payloads on a SHERPA Objectives: 1. Demonstrate aggregation ability to withstand launch environment, perform and maintain thermal control, communicate with the ground, reconstitute traditional spacecraft bus capability 2. Demonstrate aggregation ability to support a simple and a complex payload Approved for Public Release (DISTAR 24265), Distribution Unlimited. 7

8 GEO Robotic Servicing Artist s Concept Artist s Concept Artist s Concept Provide unparalleled high-resolution images on request of spacecraft experiencing anomalies Inspections would be enabled by a RMMV with a sensor suite and dexterous arms with cameras Stand-off inspections (50m-1km) Close inspections (5m- 50m) Docked inspections Cooperatively move spacecraft in orbit, recover spacecraft in offnominal orbits and extend lifetimes through propellant conservation N/S station keeping recovery End-of-Life to GEO graveyard Repositioning within the GEO belt Assist spacecraft experiencing anomalies, helping to ensure that missions can be completed at maximum performance Free stuck appendages Supplement attitude control Perform docked inspections 8

9 GEO Servicing Could Build Confidence to Transform the Entire Space Architecture SERVICING NEW ARCHITECTURES First robotic capability in GEO Commercial providers expand coverage On-orbit replaceable units Modular spacecraft Automated, scheduled refueling Technology development and investment Reduced redundancy Lightly fueled at launch Assembly experiments Space robotics = national-level growth potential LEO-to-GEO space tug Large apertures, structures and bases 9

10 OrbitOutlook Goal: Leverage hundreds of available, low-cost assets to increase coverage and persistence of tracking space objects OrbitOutlook aims to: Integrate space surveillance data from non-traditional DoD sources Commercial Academia International partners Space object Government space based sensors Government ground based sensors Establish processes to verify information assurance and data quality Commercial RF tracking Commercial optical tracking Joint Space Operations Center Data gathering and analysis International partner data Develop characterization and Indications and Warning (I&W) techniques University optical tracking Artist s Concept Approved for Public Release (DISTAR 24265), Distribution Unlimited. 10

11 Hallmark: Real-Time Space Domain Awareness Goals: Perform real-time information fusion, including course of action (COA) generation and execution support Ingest source-agnostic information Use automation algorithms as decision aids to meet specific timelines Develop 3-D visualization containing intuitive commander operating picture Provide U.S. senior leadership the tools needed for real-time understanding and evaluation of the space environment Artist s Concept 11

12 Stay Tuned TTO continues to pursue new technology across multiple domains with emphasis on space and enhancing the future ground combat squad Flexible access to space Robotic servicing in GEO Enabling future squad concepts Advanced propulsion for military platforms Approved for public release (DISTAR 25143); distribution is unlimited. 12

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