Latest news with #GSSAP
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Space Force eyes commercial tech to fill low Earth orbit sensing gaps
The Space Force recently launched a survey of the commercial marketplace for companies that can track and characterize activities in low Earth orbit. As more commercial and government satellites launch to LEO, the service has a growing need for visibility in the domain, which resides about 1,200 miles above the Earth's surface. In a May 16 notice, the service calls for information from firms that can provide space domain awareness in the 'increasingly congested orbital environment.' Specifically, the service wants these systems to provide better insight into 'objects of interest' and real-time assessment of potential conjunctions. It also wants data that can be used to quickly investigate anomalies in LEO to understand if measures need to be taken to protect U.S. space assets. 'The goal is to identify commercial vendors offering sensors as a service, today or in the future, with a capability for individual sensor tasking directly from a pre-existing U.S. government mission application layer,' the service said. 'The government is particularly interested in solutions that prioritize data quality, verification, and traceability to ensure the reliability of information used in time-critical decision-making processes.' The mission application layer referenced in the notice is a software capability that provides information about the environment to inform military operators as they direct and task commercial sensors. The call for LEO-based space domain awareness follows a similar push from the Space Force to identify commercial capabilities in geosynchronous orbit, known as GEO, which sits at a higher altitude than LEO and is where many of the service's high-value systems reside. In early 2024, the service sought input from private sector firms on whether their GEO sensing systems could augment the existing government-owned satellites that make up its Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program, or GSSAP constellation. That market research led the service to craft an acquisition plan for a commercial GEO-based space domain awareness architecture. The service approved the initial plan in late April and is now fleshing out a more detailed strategy, including how to make the system available at an unclassified level to U.S. allies. The Space Force has several ongoing initiatives to leverage the growing marketplace of LEO-based services. In 2023, it selected a pool of 16 vendors to provide a range of services as part of its Proliferated Low Earth Orbit program. The contract initially had a ceiling of $900 million but has since grown to $13 billion in response to demand from military users. In the space domain awareness area, a number of startups — including ExoAnalytic Solutions, LeoLabs and Slingshot Aerospace — are offering a range of capabilities, from AI tracking tools to mobile, ground-based radars. The May 16 notice doesn't state preference for either space-based or ground-based systems, but it notes that the service has a particular need for more positional data as well as electro-optical and active and passive radio frequency observations.
Miami Herald
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
US Buzzes China's Military Satellites in Unfolding Space Rivalry
An American military satellite was reportedly "buzzing" its Chinese counterparts as China rapidly advances in a new space race to challenge U.S. leadership in this domain. Newsweek has contacted the U.S. Space Force and the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment. The U.S. Space Force was established in 2019 during the first administration of President Donald Trump, who said American superiority in space was "absolutely vital." One of the missions of the new service branch is to protect and defend U.S. interests in space, including satellites. China, which has several ambitious space programs, including a space station and a manned mission to the moon, was spotted using its satellites to conduct "dogfighting" maneuvers, the U.S. Space Force reported in March, practicing orbit operations from one satellite to another. COMSPOC, which is a commercial provider of space situational awareness software in Pennsylvania, said USA 324, a U.S. Space Force Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) satellite, was "checking out" two Chinese satellites recently. The American satellite was tracked making two close passes to China's TJS-16 and TJS-17 satellites on April 26 and 29, with a distance of 10.5 miles and 7.4 miles, respectively. It was not immediately clear why the U.S. Space Force's satellite maneuvered around the targets. USA 324, which was launched in January 2022, and other GSSAP satellites can track and observe objects in geosynchronous orbit more than 22,000 miles above the equator, NASA said. The U.S. Space Force said the GSSAP satellites support its space surveillance operations by conducting "Rendezvous and Proximity Operations," in which the satellites maneuver near a space object, enabling characterization for anomaly resolution and enhanced surveillance. Meanwhile, the TJS-16 and TJS-17, which were launched into space on March 29 and April 10, respectively, are part of the Chinese satellite program Tongxin Jishu Shiyan, meaning "communication technology experiment," according to SpaceNews. While China said both satellites were designed for satellite communication technology verification, SpaceNews said they were viewed by Western analysts as conducting classified missions, which included satellite inspection activities, to support the country's armed forces. Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "To be clear, I do not object to [U.S. Space Force] making such maneuvers. I object to the U.S. complaining when other countries do the same things we are doing." The U.S. Space Force said on its website: "GSSAP satellites collect space situational awareness data allowing for more accurate tracking and characterization of man-made orbiting objects. From a near-geosynchronous orbit, it has a clear, unobstructed and distinct vantage point for viewing Resident Space Objects (RSOs)." It remains to be seen whether the American and Chinese military satellites will have further maneuvers around each other for close inspection and observation. Related Articles India and Pakistan Flex Naval Muscles as Nuclear Tensions RiseDozens Killed in Syria After Alleged Insult to Prophet MuhammadHouthis Claim Attacks Caused Loss of U.S. AircraftTrump Loses First Round of Trade War as US Economy Shrinks, China's Grows 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
02-05-2025
- Science
- Newsweek
US Buzzes China's Military Satellites in Unfolding Space Rivalry
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. An American military satellite was reportedly "buzzing" its Chinese counterparts as China rapidly advances in a new space race to challenge U.S. leadership in this domain. Newsweek has contacted the U.S. Space Force and the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment. Why It Matters The U.S. Space Force was established in 2019 during the first administration of President Donald Trump, who said American superiority in space was "absolutely vital." One of the missions of the new service branch is to protect and defend U.S. interests in space, including satellites. China, which has several ambitious space programs, including a space station and a manned mission to the moon, was spotted using its satellites to conduct "dogfighting" maneuvers, the U.S. Space Force reported in March, practicing orbit operations from one satellite to another. What To Know COMSPOC, which is a commercial provider of space situational awareness software in Pennsylvania, said USA 324, a U.S. Space Force Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) satellite, was "checking out" two Chinese satellites recently. Over the weekend, USA 324, maneuvered into the 152 °E neighborhood—'checking out' its new neighbors TJS-16 and TJS-17. USA 324 made two close passes— ~17 km to TJS-16 (26 Apr 14:45 UTC) and ~12 km to TJS-17 (29 Apr 13:40 UTC)— before settling down near 152.8 °E. — COMSPOC_OPS (@COMSPOC_OPS) April 29, 2025 The American satellite was tracked making two close passes to China's TJS-16 and TJS-17 satellites on April 26 and 29, with a distance of 10.5 miles and 7.4 miles, respectively. It was not immediately clear why the U.S. Space Force's satellite maneuvered around the targets. USA 324, which was launched in January 2022, and other GSSAP satellites can track and observe objects in geosynchronous orbit more than 22,000 miles above the equator, NASA said. The U.S. Space Force said the GSSAP satellites support its space surveillance operations by conducting "Rendezvous and Proximity Operations," in which the satellites maneuver near a space object, enabling characterization for anomaly resolution and enhanced surveillance. An artist's rendering of the U.S. Space Force's Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) satellites. An artist's rendering of the U.S. Space Force's Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) satellites. U.S. Space Force Meanwhile, the TJS-16 and TJS-17, which were launched into space on March 29 and April 10, respectively, are part of the Chinese satellite program Tongxin Jishu Shiyan, meaning "communication technology experiment," according to SpaceNews. While China said both satellites were designed for satellite communication technology verification, SpaceNews said they were viewed by Western analysts as conducting classified missions, which included satellite inspection activities, to support the country's armed forces. What People Are Saying Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "To be clear, I do not object to [U.S. Space Force] making such maneuvers. I object to the U.S. complaining when other countries do the same things we are doing." The U.S. Space Force said on its website: "GSSAP satellites collect space situational awareness data allowing for more accurate tracking and characterization of man-made orbiting objects. From a near-geosynchronous orbit, it has a clear, unobstructed and distinct vantage point for viewing Resident Space Objects (RSOs)." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether the American and Chinese military satellites will have further maneuvers around each other for close inspection and observation.
Telegraph
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
UK military given intelligence on Chinese space weapons
The US has begun sharing rare intelligence on Chinese space weapons with British military chiefs. Secret imagery of satellites has been passed on by the US Space Force, as it seeks allies amid growing fears over a potential space war with Beijing. Although US officials declined to say which nations the images focused on, they reiterated that the greatest space threats to the West were from China and Russia. The US Space Force's geosynchronous space situational awareness programme (GSSAP) began in 2019 and involves the use of satellites to take close-up pictures of other satellites and weapons in space. Col Ramsey Horn, Commander of Space Delta 9, which is tasked with defeating orbital threats, said on a visit to the UK: 'The PRC [People's Republic of China] is our top concern right now.' He also revealed that Air Marshal Johnny Stringer, the UK strategic command attache based in Washington, had recently been invited to Colorado to see GSSAP in action. Col Horn added: ' China has developed lasers that are capable of dazzling as well as destructive capabilities.' He said the country had high-power microwave systems that could disable a satellite, and that while there had not been any direct engagement, the US was prepared to fight China. 'We have to be ready for that fight that nobody wants to have,' he added. Last year, US defence sources warned that China was developing anti-satellite weapons as part of a 'breathtaking' military expansion. Gen Stephen Whiting, the head of the US Space Command, said Beijing had 'tripled the number of intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance satellites on orbit' in just six years. Experts have also claimed that Beijing has been misusing anti-satellite weapons.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Space Force eyes commercial options for space surveillance mission
The Space Force is scanning the commercial marketplace for space domain awareness capabilities that could be part of a future proliferated constellation, according to its top military acquisition officer. The service reached out to industry last year for concepts for satellites and sensors that can track activity and objects in space from geosynchronous orbit, about 22,000 miles above Earth. The Space Force already has sensing systems in GEO through its Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program, or GSSAP. But these new satellites would be small, potentially refuelable and lower cost than existing capabilities. Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy, the acting space acquisition executive, said Tuesday at a Washington Space Business Roundtable event in Washington, D.C., that he's tasked the Space Force's acquisition team to push forward with a commercial analysis of the responses it received from industry that considers what capabilities are available off-the-shelf, their price point and the potential delivery time frames. Space domain awareness is a top priority for both the Space Force and U.S. Space Command as they look to monitor and respond to threats in space. Purdy said Space Command, in particular, has been pushing for an unclassified capability, particularly as it looks to strengthen partnerships with U.S. allies and commercial companies. Speaking with reporters after the event, Purdy said there has been significant interest from international partners in buying into the space domain awareness constellation the Space Force is exploring. Bringing on more commercial companies and international allies presents a challenge with a classified system, he noted, but the service is considering whether it could split the GSSAP mission so that the unclassified functions could be performed by outside firms or foreign militaries. The Space Force is conducting similar analyses across other mission areas, Purdy said, as part of a bigger push to find areas where it can use commercial means to get the capabilities that operators need on faster timelines and at lower cost. Purdy said he plans to issue similar directives — called acquisition decision memorandums, or ADMS — for 'a host of other programs,' including other space domain awareness systems, as well as satellite communication programs. Purdy said the effort is meant to disrupt the Space Force's typical practice of waiting five years or longer to refresh technology — an approach that doesn't work when industry is rapidly iterating and introducing new capabilities. He noted that some of this analysis won't lead to major changes in programs, especially if it turns out the expensive, complex requirements are what operators need to perform their missions. The acquisition community's job, he noted, is to provide options. 'A lot of the most expensive systems, they have key requirements that are driving that expense and time,' Purdy said. 'That may be what the operator wants, that's fine. But I owe it to them as an acquirer in the community to find out, 'Hey, some of these new commercial options, is this a good trade off?'' Regularly checking in with the commercial market and finding ways to introduce new technology on faster timelines isn't necessarily a new approach for the Space Force. The Space Development Agency, which is developing a large constellation of small satellites to track missiles and transport data, has built its acquisition strategy around a two-year technology refresh cycle. Purdy said he wants to emulate that within other parts of the Space Force, including Space Systems Command, the service's primary acquisition hub. 'I've issued those ADMs specifically to get us out of one-off, billion-dollar systems and into proliferated architectures,' he said. 'We are absolutely trying to move into that same model.'
