Next Generation Space Defense

MilsatMagazine December 2023

Cover image is
courtesy of
Satellogic.
 Publishing Operations Features
& Issue Contributors
Gilat Satellite Networks: Year In Review—Shaping The Future Of Global Security......4
Author: Doreet Oren
Silvano Payne
Publisher + Executive Author
Government Satellite Report: NRO, industry, unite for space-based.............................8
Simon Payne intelligence architecture
Chief Technical Officer Author: David Pesgraves
Hartley G. Lesser
Editorial Director + Author Transforming Military Comms Through LEO Connectivity............................... 10
Author: Rick Lober
Pattie Lesser
Executive Editor + Author
Satellite Manufacturers Stuck In Orbit.............................................................. 12
Donald McGee Author: Tom Hennessey
Production Manager

Teresa Sanderson Kratos: Year In Review — Better Decisions Sooner.......................................... 14

Operations Director Authors: Kratos Editorial Team

Sean Payne
Business Development Mgr. Liability In The Orbits: The Challenge Of Assigning Responsibility................ 16
Author: Salouda Moutaoufik
Dan Makinster
Technical Advisor
COMMAND CENTER: Ed Slater, OneWeb Technologies.................................. 18
Curt Blake
Senior Columnist
Quadsat: Year In Review...................................................................................... 22
Author: Joakim Espeland
Chris Forrester
Senior Columnist
COMMAND CENTER: Matt Tirman, Satellogic.................................................. 24
Karl Fuchs
Senior COLUMNIST
Space Safety: Challenges and Developments................................................... 26
Rick Lober Author: Joe Chan
Senior Columnist

Authors Space Systems Command Briefing: Data Transport........................................ 28

Author: Lisa Sodders
Joe Chan

Joakim Espeland Advertisers

Tom Hennessey 2024 SmallSat Symposium...................................................................................31

Kratos Editorial Team Advantech Wireless Technologies, Inc...............................................................21

Rick Lober AvL Technologies..................................................................................................13

Salouda Moutaoufik Comtech (formerly Comtech Xicom Technology, Inc.).................... Cover (1) + 7

Doreet Oren CPI SatCom..............................................................................................................9

David Pesgraves EM Solutions..........................................................................................................11

Lisa Sodders iDirect Government.................................................................................................3

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Publishers or the company’s staff.

MilsatMagazine Page 2 December 2023

 Gilat Satellite Networks
Year In REview
Shaping the future of
global security
Author:
Author:

Author: Doreet Oren, Senior Director Product

Marketing & Corporate Communications

The digital transformation of military operations continues to SkyEdge IV

shape the future of global security. Today’s modern militaries
move faster, smarter, and with greater precision than ever before,
based on information systems that consume high bandwidth.
They require a high level of transmission security and secrecy for
military COMMs/C5ISR operations.

This new paradigm, the net-centric battlefield, is achieved by implementing

a globally interconnected broadband communication network (including
infrastructure, systems, processes, and people) that speeds up 2-way
communications and increases situational awareness. Terrestrial communication
is no longer sufficient; satellite communication (SATCOM) is required to meet
these growing needs.
SkyEdge IV is Gilat’s next-generation multi-service platform built with our new,
Gilat’s Strategic Focus on the Defense Market advanced Elastix-Architecture. Our new platform is designed to provide the
best ground segment solution for the Elastix Era of multi-orbit Software-Defined
Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. delivers globally proven, advanced SATCOM Satellites (SDS) placed in multi-orbit (GEO and NGSO), providing very high
solutions for Defense and Government Applications to help countries solve capacity over thousands of concentrated beams focused on specific needs.
complex operational challenges. Furthermore, Gilat offers government and
military organizations a set of advanced SOTM/SOTP solutions for connectivity
everywhere throughout the battlefield and any operations arena.

Gilat’s SATCOM solutions have been designed specifically to meet the needs
of today’s net-centric battlefield, including flexible, secure platforms for
huge amounts of data and high-bandwidth applications to connect soldiers,
platforms, and terminals across land, sea, and air; continuous and resilient
connectivity to ensure that information is available when, where and how it is
needed; with all necessary technology, equipment, applications, products, and
solutions under one roof.

Gilat offers a one-stop-shop that includes cutting-edge ground segment

equipment for satellite networks, modems, antennas, and BUCs all powered
by our innovative technology. Gilat also offers an industry-leading network
management system. Gilat’s offering combines unmatched technical know-
how and field experience to help militaries and governments deploy and
operate their network infrastructure while reducing the total cost of ownership
and lowering risk.
SkyEdge IV provides military-grade security based on TRANSEC & FIPS
standards for multiple applications including Communication-On-The-
Gilat’s military SATCOM expertise and operational experience position Gilat as
Pause (COTP), Communication-On-The-Move (COTM), unmanned systems,
an excellent choice for today’s modern militaries as shown in the company’s
manpacks, and armored fighting vehicles.
strategic activities during 2023:
SkyEdge IV is a highly elastic platform that enables, together with SDS, the
creation of programmable Software-Defined Networks (SDN) that support on-
the-fly changes to optimally address dynamic network changes.

MilsatMagazine Page 4 December 2023

 Security must be based on TRANSEC & FIPS standards

The Elastix-Architecture is a cloud-based distributed architecture, enabling Gilat also received initial orders for the SkyEdge IV Aquarius modems from
the ability to split between transmission functions located in the gateway and two leading defense system integrators in the U.S. These are the first steps in
data processing SW-based functions which can be flexibly deployed on cloud establishing a significant channel for Gilat’s next-generation modems based on
servers located anywhere in the network. U.S. government demand.
Gilat developed two unique VSATs specifically to address the special needs of
military and government organizations: Acquisition Of DataPath

SkyEdge IV Aquarius is an ultra-high-performance family of VSATs Earlier this year, Gilat signed an agreement to acquire DataPath Inc., a leading
providing security forces with ruggedized terminals that can be deployed U.S. Defense Satellite integrator.
on vehicles or carried in a backpack, ensuring seamless connectivity for
both on-the-move and on-the-pause missions. It further delivers reliable
beyond-line-of-sight (BLoS) connectivity between command and tactical
levels, allowing a seamless flow of information. Our resilient networks
provide true interoperability, drastically reducing the time between decision,
implementation, and evaluation. In addition, Gilat’s low SWaP systems allow
military and border patrol teams to exploit the full potential of long-endurance
missions with airborne, maritime, and land-based communications.

SkyEdge IV Taurus-M is a fast-to-deploy, lightweight, easy-to-operate,

and low SWAP (Size, Weight, and Power) military modem ideal for armored
fighting vehicles and man-pack deployment. Compliant with MIL-STD-
810F standards, Gilat’s SkyEdge IV Taurus-M answers market demands
for the smallest, ruggedized, high-performance modem for mobile satellite DataPath has more than 25 years of experience in integrated communications
communications. Setting a new standard for mission flexibility, the Taurus-M and information technology and is a market leader in trusted communications
delivers highly available high-speed satellite communications for on-the-move systems, services, and end-to-end solutions for mission-critical operations.
(SOTM) and stationary operations. It is the smallest modem on the market DataPath is a U.S.-based expert systems integrator with a strong focus on the
today which offers these capabilities. It enables government agents and Department of Defense (DoD) and U.S. Government (USG) sectors, bringing
warfighters to accomplish their critical missions, offering rapid connectivity to leading competencies in systems engineering, software development, and
data, voice, and telephony, even under the harshest conditions. mechanical engineering.

Global satellite operators Intelsat and SES have already selected Gilat’s These attributes have enabled DataPath to secure and maintain their continual
SkyEdge IV to support new satellites. SES will use the SkyEdge IV platform presence in the provision and sustainment of MILSATCOM systems, such as
to simultaneously operate with its SES-17 satellite and its upcoming second- portable ground stations and related services.
generation NGSO constellation, O3b mPOWER. Intelsat will use the SkyEdge
IV platform to provide expanded capacity from the Intelsat IS-40e satellite.

MilsatMagazine Page 5 December 2023

 Unmanned Airborne Vehicles The U.S. DoD is already evaluating this SSPA for a significant SATCOM
program. Once certified, Gilat expects follow-on orders valued at millions of
Gilat’s BlackRay Airborne family of UAV/UAS/RPA solutions consists of dollars per year in the coming few years and the ability to pursue additional U.S.
highly integrated airborne SATCOM terminals with minimal size, weight, and DoD and commercial programs.
power (SWaP). Ideally suited to the needs of long-endurance Beyond-Line-
Of-Sight (BLoS) operations for UAVs of all sizes, BlackRay terminals enable Also in the U.S., a system integrator selected Gilat’s newly launched Defense
high throughput communications for military or commercial applications. Hub Network SSPAs for a U.S. Army SATCOM project. With this achievement,
They comprise best-of-breed antenna, high-performance modem, and BUC Gilat expects follow-on orders of millions of dollars in the coming years and the
technologies developed and manufactured by Gilat. Modular system design ability to pursue other U.S. Army programs with an addressable market of more
facilitates customization to meet customer specifications in short time frames. than $100 million dollars.
Gilat closed a multi-year, multimillion-dollar strategic agreement with a major
defense company and a world-leading UAV manufacturer. Gilat will provide its Meeting The Needs of Defense Organizations
next-generation BRP60 terminal for unmanned aerial vehicles. Today and Tomorrow

Solid-State Power Amplifier Wartime and tactical missions often take forces into unfamiliar territory crawling
with unpredictable and unknown threats. Access to real-time intelligence on
Gilat’s U.S.-based subsidiary, Wavestream, launched Endurance, a new line the ground — where and when troops need it — can make all the difference
of high-power, “always-on” Solid-State Power Amplifier (SSPA) products. It is between a successful and an aborted mission.
positioned to lead the industry in linear power with its gateway-ready, fully redundant
design that ensures the maximum available power for multiple carrier inputs. Gilat continues to dedicate strategic resources to providing defense
organizations with the technology, expertise, local presence, and support they
The 500W Ka-Wideband Block Upconverter (BUC) covers military Ka- and need to meet their current and future military needs.
commercial Ka- frequency bands and features hot-swappable components for
a truly “always-on” satellite communication solution. Endurance is unique in its www.gilat.com
ability to replace existing SATCOM solutions currently serviced by Traveling
Wave Tube Amplifiers (TWTAs). Author Doreet Oren has been with Gilat since 2012 and is responsible
for defining product positioning, solution messaging, go-to-market
strategies, market research, and analyst relations. Ms. Oren has
over 20 years of industry experience, and has held management
positions in R&D, Product Management, Product Marketing and
Solution Marketing for international high-tech companies. In this
capacity Ms. Oren contributes to product and solution definitions
and is responsible for delivering the company’s vision to the media
and analyst community. Oren publishes thought leadership articles
in renowned international journals and speaks at numerous
industry conferences worldwide. Oren received a BSc in
Computer Science from George Washington University and Doreet Oren
graduated from the Modern Marketing Program at the Recanati Graduate
School of Business Administration, Tel Aviv University.

MilsatMagazine Page 6 December 2023

 Government Satellite Report (GSR)
NRO, industry unite for space-based intelligence architecture
Author: David Pesgraves, GSR

Author:
Author:

The adversarial threats posed to the United States on-orbit are greater now than
they have ever been in the nation’s history. Simply put, the jobs of military and With adversaries growing and fielding their arsenal of anti-satellite capabilities,
Intelligence Community leaders are getting far more difficult to accomplish. and developing space-enabled lethal weapons systems, Gen. Povak admits that
they are, “…gaining on our technology advantage at a rapid pace.”
That was the sentiment expressed by the Deputy Director of the National
Reconnaissance Office (NRO), Major General Christopher Povak, at a recent However, Gen. Povak assured the forum audience that the National
Schriever Spacepower Forum. Reconnaissance Office (NRO) remains the world leader in developing and
operating space intelligence capabilities and that the agency is prepared to stay
In his comments during the event, Gen. Povak explained that the decades-long abreast of the threat and will also ensure U.S. dominance in the space domain.
era of the U.S. being the undisputed leader in space technology, “…is no longer
the case.” NRO + Space Defense

Global superpowers such as Russia and China are closing the technology gap According to Gen. Povak, the NRO is responsible for the research and
between themselves as well as the current capability set the U.S. employs. development, acquisition, launch, integration, and operation of the nation’s vast
While near-peer adversaries continue to heavily invest funds and manpower to constellation of space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance
the development of capable military space systems, they are also demonstrating (ISR) capabilities.
aggressive actions in space that could pose real threats to U.S. systems.
“As a defense agency and an element of the Intelligence Community, the NRO
“Today, several nations…are actively developing ground and space-based collects intelligence and information to support national level and Department
weapons specifically designed to interfere with or destroy our systems in of Defense missions,” Maj. Povak explained. “Overall, NRO’s mission is to work
space,” said Gen. Povak. “These counter-space capabilities include missiles with our partners to gain and maintain the nation’s intelligence advantage during
and weapons systems designed to deliver direct energy, electronic warfare, peacetime and throughout periods of crisis and conflict around the world.”
and cyber attack defense – all of which threaten our ability to freely access and
operate in space.” As part of its response to the rapid growth of adversarial capability and
presence in the space domain, Gen. Povak said that the NRO is advancing U.S.

MilsatMagazine Page 8 December 2023

 space-based capabilities through the employment of cutting-edge technologies commercial marketplace for ISR capabilities has significantly grown over the
that provide real-time, situational awareness and intelligence to analysts, past decade, and the NRO has led contracting efforts with both traditional and
policymakers and warfighters faster than ever previously possible. new commercial ISR providers.

According to the general, a critical component of these situational awareness “Now, we have an array of a community of industry partners that are working
and intelligence chains are the commercial partners in the satellite and hard to get some of these commercially-available products into our architecture,”
space industries. Gen. Povak explained. “I think the benefits of commercial is not them on their
own; it’s how they’re integrated with our infrastructure.”
Bringing The NRO + Industry Together
Gen. Povak noted that space will always continue to be a battleground of
Gen. Povak views commercial satellite data as an especially critical source for constant competition for information advantage, but that the NRO will ensure
situational awareness and intelligence, due to its unclassified and shareable that the U.S. will maintain its dominance in the domain.
nature. He considers the partnership between industry and the NRO as a
valuable tool to continue to rely upon, and highlighted the benefits derived from “Today, the NRO’s space-based ISR capabilities are without a doubt the best in
a modern, hybrid intelligence architecture — pointing to the role commercial the world,” he said. “However, in an era of growing competition, our imperative
satellite imagery played in intelligence gathering throughout the early moments is to develop the technologies, tools, capabilities, and space-minded expertise to
of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. stay that way.”

“Fortunately, the NRO is already building the largest and most capable, diverse Select this link to view the video to hear more about how the NRO is uniting
and resilient overhead constellation in our history,” said Gen. Povak. “Within with industry partners to create its hybrid intelligence architecture and also learn
the next decade, NRO expects to quadruple the number of satellites we about the capabilities of SES Space & Defense.
currently have on-orbit, with different sizes and different orbits for commercial
and national.” This article was first published on GovSat and is republished with permission of
GovSat and SES Space & Defense.
He explained these satellites will deliver more than 10 times as many signals and
images than are being collected today.

“The proliferation and diversification of our architecture will provide increased

coverage, greater capacity and resilience, and more timely delivery of data,”
he said. “Such improvements will increase the competence and the relevance Author David Pesgraves is a Staff Writer for GovSat Report, in addition to
of NRO capabilities, which are already the world’s standard of excellence for several other online publications dedicated to defense, military, and federal
government agency technologies.
space-based ISR.”

Industry has been hard at work in assisting the NRO in the agency’s mission
of maintaining space-based ISR dominance. According to Gen. Povak, the David Pesgraves

MilsatMagazine Page 9 December 2023

 Transforming Military Comms
through LEO Connectivity

Author:

Author: Rick Lober, Vice President and General Manager,

Defense and Government Systems Division (DGSD), Hughes Network Systems, and Senior Columnist, MilsatMagazine

For military forces in the field, establishing a long-distance These new, Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations can deliver connectivity with
communications link has never been simple. It has typically lower latency than a traditional GEO satellite. The antenna does not have to be
involved a technician with a portable terminal setting up a small pointed in any specific direction. As long as the antenna has a clear view to the
satellite dish, and then pointing the dish at exactly the right spot in sky, it will connect to the LEO constellation.
the sky to connect to a geosynchronous satellite (GEO). Only after
obtaining a good signal could the team communicate with anyone One of the new LEO constellations is operated by OneWeb. Hughes was
outside the range of their portable radios. an early investor in OneWeb and, now, as a OneWeb distributor and partner
of choice, can deploy LEO connectivity as part of a military network or
However, that is about to change — dramatically. enterprise solution.

Advances in ground antenna technology have led to satellite antennas that are With more than 600 satellites in orbit, OneWeb can deliver a signal virtually
small and flat, rather than dish shaped. At the same time, a new generation of anywhere, with enough throughput to allow military and other users to send and
satellites operating close to Earth can send signals capable of being picked up receive not only data and audio, but also full-motion video transmissions using a
with a flat antenna configuration, technically called an electronically steerable flat, portable antenna.
antenna (ESA).

MilsatMagazine Page 10 December 2023

 What sets these apart from ground systems that use a traditional satellite dish is Hughes and other companies have done a lot off research into how a single,
their mobility, ease of setup and reliability. An ESA can be mounted on a vehicle flat-panel ESA could be designed so that it could switch back and forth between
and used while in motion, unlike a dish antenna that must stay in one spot and LEO and GEO constellations — that has presented several challenges.
be pointed exactly at the satellite to maintain the connection.
The primary issue is that GEO satellites are so far from Earth, more than 22,000
While GEO satellites stay in a fixed spot relative to the Earth, LEO satellites pass miles, and require large dishes to pick up the signal. From the ground, the
rapidly overhead. The ESA is designed to use the nearest LEO satellite, and then ESAs are too small to generate the power needed to send a signal back to a
shift to the next satellite when the first one orbits out of view. Satellites in the GEO spacecraft.
constellation pass users seamlessly from one satellite to another, so there is no
loss of connection or noticeable disruption to the user. Another issue is that there may not be much customer demand for a single
antenna that could connect to satellites in both orbits. Simply using two different
One feature of the OneWeb network is that it can prioritize users and offer antennas may be the most practical way to obtain both types of connectivity.
service levels in line with the requirements of the Department of Defense
(DoD). In the event of signal jamming on one satellite, OneWeb can move lower Today’s warfighters need to be able to carry out missions in any environment. In
priority users to make room on other satellites for high-priority customers, such highly contested domains, fast and reliable internet connectivity is essential to
as the DoD. receiving and transmitting valuable intel in real time.

Hughes engineers are finalizing the designs for aero versions of the single-panel As government and defense agencies explore the power and potential of LEO
ESA that can be used on small aircraft, both manned and unmanned. These services, ESAs will be key in enabling this game-changing connectivity for
should be available in the second half of 2024. These antennas will be similar warfighters across the globe.
in size and power to the planned, single-panel ESAs soon to be
available for mobile ground units, but will be designed to fit www.hughes.com/resources/hughes-defense-capabilities
the curved body of an aircraft with little negative
impact on aerodynamics.

Rick Lober, vice president and general manager of the Defense

and Government Systems Division (DGSD) at Hughes Network
Systems, LLC (HUGHES), leads the company in serving U.S.
Federal, state and allied defense and intelligence organizations
worldwide with advanced SATCOM solutions, commercial and
Department of Defense (DoD) purpose-built systems, network
management and software defined networking, ground and
airborne communications on the move, 5G terrestrial and all
company classified programs.
Rick Lober

Naval Maritime
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MilsatMagazine
EMS Cobra Ad.indd 2 Page 11 December
15/12/2022 2023
7:58:53 AM
 Satellite Manufacturers
Stuck In Orbit
With underinvestment in digitization technology
Author: Tom Hennessey, Chief Marketing Officer, iBase-t
Author:
Author:

Today the global military satellite market is a $14.44 billion Getting A Tighter Grip On Supply Chains
industry, according to Precedence Reasearch. While it might seem
that the sector is at the forefront of technological innovation, the A lack of digital maturity has become a serious roadblock to productivity in
reality is somewhat different. manufacturing in the satellite sector.

According to iBase-t’s A&D Digital Manufacturing Productivity Although Industry 4.0 advancements have proven critical to sustaining
Snapshot research, 97% of A&D manufacturers, including satellite operations during the pandemic, most manufacturers grapple with a lack of
manufacturers in the U.S. and the UK, say the industry has suffered from an system and process maturity and this is preventing them from leveraging
underinvestment in digitization and that now is the time to improve supply chain operational data for business intelligence and smarter decision-making. Being
efficiencies and create a productivity advantage. able to convert critical data into actionable improvements is pivotal to true
digital transformation.
Considering the complexity and risks involved, it is alarming that a majority of
manufacturers continue to use paper-based processes (88%) and spreadsheets While this lack of digital maturity impacts many areas of satellite
(57%). The fact that major satellite projects are potentially being run manufacturing, one area in particular that requires close attention is the supply
spreadsheets, or pen and paper, creates a huge cause for concern. chain. In this industry, it’s absolutely mission-critical that organizations are
able to manage a highly regulated manufacturing environment, and complex
At best, this approach can cause inefficiencies and lead to mistakes. At worst, it production processes.
could lead to project failure and space leaders losing their jobs. Notably, almost
half (48%) of respondents say a lack of investment in new technologies and
processes has resulted in them losing business — alarm bells should be ringing
across the industry.

MilsatMagazine Page 12 December 2023

 Manufacturers require strong control and visibility over lot and serial tracked When also connected with Supplier Quality Management (SQM) and
parts for all materials, components and subassemblies, from ‘cradle to grave.’ Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) solutions, the result is a holistic,
Full traceability is essential if manufacturers need to look back and check connected and strategic disruption of all aspects pertinent to manufacturing
whether they have used a certain component or material, that they have been excellence. This creates a framework for collaborative supplier quality, and
alerted may be faulty or out of compliance. eliminates the problems caused by email and paper-based communication.

To optimize performance, satellite manufacturers must also carefully track how Taking Action With Your Digital Investment
each supplier is contributing to their enterprise. Are suppliers causing problems,
or are they enabling success? The incorrect tools cause inefficiencies and that can result in costly mistakes
aas well as leaders losing their jobs.
It’s important to view supplier management as an ongoing process, rather
than a one-time project. It requires continuous optimization to maintain top It’s been more than ten years since spreadsheet errors contributed to JP
performance, and centralized communication with suppliers is essential. Morgan Chase losing $6 billion in the London Whale incident. This lack of digital
maturity could cause equally damaging outcomes in the manufacturing industry.
However, today there is an overreliance on email and paper-based
communications, which is not only inefficient but can also lead to significant As satellite manufacturing accelerates, there has never been a more important
quality issues. time to relinquish paper-based systems and spreadsheets and leverage the
power of digital technologies to gain a productivity advantage.
Digital Tools Unlock Intelligence
From improving efficiency, productivity and performance to attracting the next
Satellite manufacturers must act now and invest in digital, or else they run the generation of talent, the benefits are clear for those who want to get ahead of
risk of falling behind the competition. the competition.

A Manufacturing Execution System (MES) can make all the difference. By www.ibaset.com
placing an MES front and center of digital operations, manufacturers can
address the data concern, unlocking real-time visibility and intelligence, while
enjoying improved control. Author Tom Hennessey is the Chief Marketing Officer at iBase-t.

Organizations that have already adopted MES have had a head-start, not just in
embracing innovation, but also in channeling it toward achieving bespoke goals
and aims, ensuring more sustainable decision-making moving forward.
Tom Hennesey

avltech.com

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1.6m Manual Point Tri-Band Terminal  Operational winds to 60 mph

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MilsatMagazine Page 13 December 2023
 Kratos
Year In Review

Author:
Author:

Better decisions... sooner...

As we look ahead to 2023, it’s worth pausing for a moment
to reflect on the last 12 months and highlight the capabilities
Kratos is using to support the warfighter through our global RF
sensor network.

Kratos continues to improve on its commercial services enhancing Space

Domain Awareness (SDA) by leveraging its global network to provide faster and
more accurate RF data to fill critical gaps.

Current Real-World Applications — Ukraine

The ongoing dramatic changes in the technology and business surrounding

space activities are having a significant impact on space remote sensing.

The Ukraine’s reliance on Starlink heightened global awareness regarding the

impact of commercial space operations on conflicts on the ground. The Ukraine
war has increased interest in the value of commercial services, especially cyber
and remote sensing. Kratos capabilities are particularly well suited to address
demand for RF SSA data.

This past year, Hugh White, the company’s Senior Director of Space Domain
Awareness, spoke at the Military Space Situational Awareness Conference
in London. Addressing Kratos’ advances in commercially available RF SDA
capabilities that are delivering real-world mission impact, he focused on the
capabilities of RF SDA in the Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO)
space arena. Kosmos-2504 lifts off from
Plesetsk on March 31, 2015.
Image credit: russianspaceweb.com
RPOs are an example of a dual-use technology. On one end there are mission
extension vehicles, such as the MEV-1, that is docked with Intelsat 901 to
service and reposition it.

On the other end, there are ASAT weapons with kinetic kill capability. For
missions across the RPO spectrum, accurate and commercially available
RF SDA data is key for providing transparency to allied governments and
commercial spacecraft operators.

MilsatMagazine Page 14 December 2023

 Participation Of RPOs In Conflict
Kratos has been using its global sensor network to detect and attribute satellite
Hugh discussed the use of RPOs in contested domains, specifically the Russian uplink jamming since 2010 and has observed more instances of deliberate
satellite known as Luch Olymp. While it is ostensibly part of Russia’s Luch interference in the last year than in the previous ten yeaers combined. Kratos
communications relay satellite, Luch Olymp has demonstrated a different purpose SDA analysts processed mmore than 300 unique, RF interference events in 2023
by maneuvering into more than 25 different orbital slots and continually making alone. This is Space EW on an unprecedented scale.
close approaches on commercial and state-owned SATCOM vehicles. This has
caused many to speculate Luch Olymp’s mission is a co-orbital SIGINT collector. Real-World Mission Impact

Unexpected Neighbor in Space Warfighters are using commercial RF SDA to learn in real-time what
MILSATCOM communication links are being targeted and degraded. Just
In July of 2022, Kratos SDA analysts saw Luch execute a sudden as commercial overhead imagery is being used to inform decisions on the
63,000-kilometer relocation drift. The satellite positioned itself next to Intelsat battlefield, commercial RF SDA geolocations are used to understand where
37E, and on October 31st, 2022, came within 4 kilometers of the Intelsat adversary jammers are located and what mitigation options are available.
spacecraft. Precise data like this is crucial for operators, such as Intelsat, so Commercial RF SDA is being used to understand changes in Space EW
they can respond appropriately and fly their satellites safely when confronted techniques and tactics and inform responsible parties on how best to
with a non-cooperative intruder entering into their orbital slot. mitigate them.

In space, tracking enemy spacecraft helps anticipate their actions and safeguard
our nation’s and our allies’ space assets. In communication, analyzing satellite
bandwidth reveals adversary movements and communication methods,
while space electronic warfare support enhances awareness of targeted
and degraded communication. On Earth, commercial RF SDA helps locate
intentional jammers to address electromagnetic interference.

SDA has become vital to mission success given the increase in commercial
space activity and the escalating number of international actors influencing the
dynamic theater.

Kratos Global RF Sensor Network

Kratos owns and operates the world’s most precise commercial ground network
Kratos Common Operating Picture (RF COP) revealing orbital slots relocation by Luch 2 satellite. of RF sensors. Strategically positioned apertures around the globe enable
precise and persistent RF sensing, providing insight for missions in defense,
Incidentally, this satellite repositioned itself almost six months before the
intelligence and commercial operations.
Russian escalation near the Ukraine. The positioning of space assets is a key
step in preparing for conflict. Warfighters know this and use the precise tracking
The global deployment of more than 170 sensors are capable of pinpointing
of satellites, combined with an understanding of satellite missions, as valuable
satellite locations within 100 meters. The global network covers L-, S-, C-, X-
data warning of adversary intent.
and Ku-bands. Kratos’ state-of-the-art OpenSpace® Platform manages and
controls the status of the global network.
Situational Awareness Is Not Just About Where
Learn more about Kratos and the RF SDA commercial products and services
SDA recognizes that the significance lies not only in the location of a satellite but
available by going to www.kratosdefense.com/sda.
also in its ongoing activities. Monitoring RF links can help in assessing intention.
Since Space Electronic Warfare (EW) is one of the reversible effects that are
especially important in a limited scale conflict such as Ukraine, Hugh said it is no
surprise that we’ve seen a massive uptick in jamming in this theater.

MilsatMagazine Page 15 December 2023

 Liability In The Orbits

Author:

The challenge of assigning responsibility

Author: Saloua Moutaoufik, International and Public Relations, Share My Space

Since Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin’s historic space travel in 1961, In order to address military aggression effectively, there is a need for further
it has become evident that space serves as a pivotal frontier for clarification; to define what actions may be considered contrary to peaceful
human exploration and scientific progress as well as a potential purposes, particularly when the boundaries are blurred, as is the case with
catalyst for heightened geopolitical tensions and confrontations. direct-ascent ASAT tests.

With the development of space-based weaponry and anti-satellite technology For instance, should anti-satellite tests against one’s own assets be regarded
(ASAT), the militarization of space can no longer be disregarded. While space as hostile if the resulting debris poses a threat to other satellites? Would such
has been a realm of confrontation, whether technological or military, the actions be categorized as acts of violence?
absence of clear, international regulations and liability frameworks has the
potential to escalate conflicts. As for now, the United Nations General Assembly has called for the prohibition
of ASAT test. However, this is far from being a legal condemnation.
The absence of comprehensive measures to control potential military
aggressions in space raises several pressing questions. For instance, in the Consequently, it becomes evident that international law does not adequately
event that one country attacks a foreign asset, how can responsibility be address the mitigation of space debris resulting from military activities in space.
assigned? Which international court would rule over such a case? How can the Furthermore, in addition to the legal ambiguity surrounding the use of force in
international community interpret the UN Charter in a way that allows for its space, another question can be posed in regard to the existence of a liability
enforcement in the context of space? system if force does indeed occur.

According to Article 2.4 of the United Nations Charter: “All Members shall With the increasing number of actors and assets in space, these concerns
refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the become more pronounced. The United Nations Convention on International
territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects, adopted in 1972, primarily
inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.” focuses on damages caused to airspace or Earth’s surface by launches,
neglecting on-orbit incidents. This omission leaves urgent issues such as
This article embodies a fundamental principle of international law: the prohibition satellite collisions and debris creation unaddressed. Expanding liability
of the use or threat of force in international relations. Nevertheless, this provision coverage to encompass all potential incidents could prevent unauthorized use
is counterbalanced by Article 51, which recognizes the legitimate right of self- of force in space.
defense in response to an armed attack.
As access to space has become more affordable, the actions of private
While the UN Charter does not explicitly mention space, these principles can companies engaged in (potential) hostile activities can become a fundamental
be extrapolated. Considering the absence of geographical limitations, these issue. The majority of space law has been crafted by and for a handful of
principles can be extended to space. spacefaring nations. With the proliferation of commercial activities on-orbit, from
satellite servicing to future space tourism missions, the ability of existing legal
However, it is essential to acknowledge that international law does include precedents to adequately address current challenges is questionable.
specific provisions pertaining to space under the Outer Space Treaty (OST) that
states that the moon and other celestial bodies must be used exclusively for In October of 2023, the Federal Communications Commission sanctioned,
peaceful purposes. for the first time, a company that failed to respect its de-orbit plan. While the
legal issue creates a noteworthy precedent for space sustainability and safety,
Article 4 of the OST stipulates: “States Parties to the Treaty undertake not the issues of jurisdiction and liability are even more complex when it comes to
to place in orbit around the earth any objects carrying nuclear weapons or hostile and aggressive behavior.
any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction, install such weapons on
celestial bodies, or station such weapons in outer space in any other manner. Is the legal framework under which private actors operate solely based on
The moon and other celestial bodies shall be used by all States Parties to the the laws of their home country, or should it adhere to international norms and
Treaty exclusively for peaceful purposes. The establishment of military bases, regulations, in relation to a sovereign nation?
installations, and fortifications, the testing of any type of weapons, and the
conduct of military maneuvers on celestial bodies shall be forbidden...”

MilsatMagazine Page 16 December 2023

 Photo taken by Share My Space proprietary telescopes. The satellite shown (light streak) is the RASCOM A (NORAD 32387)​which was launched in 2007 from
French Guyana. The nebula in the background is the Horsehead​Nebula (Barnard 33), which is located within the Orion constellation. This scene was visible
during​120 seconds, allowing to showcase a number of details on both the nebula and the surrounding gas​clouds.

This ambiguity creates a liability gap where assigning responsibility and blame to become more pronounced as non-consensual space activities become
becomes intricate. Of course, this is not a new issue as similar challenges arose more prevalent.
during the Iraq war with private contractors.
With the goal of avoiding escalation in violence, space situational awareness
Nevertheless, irrespective of the commercialization of space, the fundamental companies, such as Share My Space, have a role to play. Sharing valuable
issue remains that the current soft law framework does not provide incentives information with operators and governments can enhance confidence in
for states to act peacefully. States can generate hazardous debris or de-orbit neighboring space activities and reduce risks of misunderstanding.
their assets through uncontrolled reentries without fearing any major legal
consequences or worse engage in unpeaceful operations. Share My Space advocates for responsible space conduct that is compliant
with international norms of behavior and work activity to promote guidelines for
As the future unfolds, states will need to safeguard their national interests peaceful operations.
while still maintaining liability in case of misconduct. This imperative is likely
www.sharemyspace.space

Author Saloua Moutaoufik is an international relations

and security graduate from Sciences Po Paris. She’s
been working for Share My Space, a space situational
awareness company for a year, initially in the Paris office
and then since July in the Austin, Texas one. She’s been
responsible for public and industry relations, engaging
the space ecosystem to increase awareness around the
need for comprehensive debris mitigation solutions

Saloua Moutaoufik

Photo of a Share My Space’s observation station, courtesy of the company.

MilsatMagazine Page 17 December 2023

 Command Center
Ed Slater
Senior Vice President,
Sales and Marketing,
Author:
OneWeb Technologies

Ed Slater is the
Senior Vice
President,
Sales and
Marketing
at OneWeb
Technologies,
a leading
provider of
secure and
commercial Ed Slater
satellite
communications connectivity
for applications and wireless
technologies globally. In this role,
he is responsible for leading the
development and implementation
of the sales distribution and
marketing strategy.
Mr. Slater has more than 25
years of experience in satellite
communications, both as an
operator and in commercial
delivery, previously holding senior
positions in the USAF and the
commercial sector. Most recently,
Mr. Slater was Senior Director
of Sales at OneWeb Technologies, after previously serving as the Good day, Mr. Slater. Thanks for taking the time to offer us your
company’s Director, insights. Would you please tell us how you initially became
Partner Development. interested, and involved, in the satellite communications
Mr. Slater brings a wealth of prior experience in satellite (SATCOM) industry?
communications, government business development, partnerships
and operations to OneWeb Technologies. Prior to OneWeb Ed Slater
Technologies, he was Director, Government Aviation at OneWeb When I was in the U.S. Air Force (USAF), I learned firsthand that ensuring our
and held multiple government business leadership positions at warfighter’s safety and security ultimately boils down to providing them with
Satcom Direct Communications, the largest provider of Inmarsat critical access to the data and information they require when it matters most.
L-band services to the Department of Defense (DoD). It became clear that communications were an essential component to any
He has experience leading teams responsible for customer operational strategy.
support, activations, contract management and sales, servicing all I became interested in satellite communications solutions as an opportunity
branches of DoD as well as the State Department, FBI and other to help provide our military and government access to the essential
Federal Agencies. connectivity, confidence and visibility that they require for successful global
Mr. Slater retired from the USAF in 2014 as a SMSgt. as missions. For obvious reasons, terrestrial cellular networks were not an option
Superintendent, Air Force One Communications. During his military in austere, contested, degraded and operationally-limited environments –
career, he served in the 99th Airlift Squadron, traveling the globe and satellite communications (SATCOM) provided the infrastructure when
in support of the U.S. Vice President, cabinet members, DoD terrestrial was unavailable.
leadership and federal agencies. He also served in the Presidential Today, commercial SATCOM solutions not only enable this vital lifeline on the
Airlift Group (PAG), where he led airborne communication for U.S. battlefield, but also help meet the demand for increased bandwidth as military
Presidents Bush and Obama. While at the PAG, he ran multiple technology becomes more sophisticated and requires more of it.
programs to modify communications and enhance the technology
and capabilities of Air Force One. During his 14 years at Andrews How did your career in the U.S. Air Force (and thank you for
AFB, he was qualified on 747B, C-32A/B, C-20B/H, C-37A aircraft as your service] prepare you for entry into the world of SATCOM
both an instructor and evaluator. and MILSATCOM?
Mr. Slater holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Information
Technology Management from American Military University. Ed Slater
In the early 2000s, my military career required that I travel the globe to serve
in the 99th Airlift Squadron supporting the Vice President of the United States,
cabinet members, Department of Defense (DoD) leadership and federal

MilsatMagazine Page 18 December 2023

 agencies. I later served in the Presidential Airlift Group (PAG), where I was OneWeb Technologies is committed to transforming the communications
responsible for all airborne communication for the Office of the President of the landscape and enabling connectivity data security, velocity, and surety solutions
United States, serving both President Bush and President Obama. that meet the evolving needs of government users. OneWeb Technologies is
At PAG, I led multiple communication modification programs bringing new also committed to developing and delivering customized solutions that fit its
technology and capabilities to Air Force One. From the time I began my career customers’ precise needs.
in the USAF to my retirement to the commercial sector, it has always been As mentioned, this includes the ability to offer multi-orbit satellite services
clear that rapid and secure communications between military personnel and (LEO, MEO and GEO) so that our customers can benefit from added resilience
intelligence operatives is imperative, no matter the mission or the location. and redundancy to ensure they are always connected. This makes OneWeb
Whether it be securing the travel of our Commander in Chief in the air, or Technologies highly attractive for mission-critical applications, be it for
the safety of our warfighters on the ground, satellites have proven imperative connecting warfighters, enabling broadband and IoT connectivity to manned
for global communications. And prior to the U.S. Space Force taking over, and unmanned platforms.
the USAF was previously in charge of procuring these communications. We
understood the value of satellite communications for the military and that now What channels enable the military/agency/government (MAG) to
translates over to the important work we do at OneWeb Technologies today. access OneWeb Technologies’ services?

Please explain what OneWeb Technologies encompasses and the Ed Slater

services provided by the company. OneWeb Technologies was awarded the U.S. Space Force’s p-LEO contract.
Being a prime contractor opens up the opportunity for us to help agencies —
Ed Slater such as the Air Force, Navy, and Army — to take advantage of our innovative
OneWeb Technologies is a leading provider of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite SATCOM technologies and solutions. In addition to being a p-LEO prime
services for the U.S. government, and its allies. Our satellite communications contractor, OneWeb Technologies is also a LEO distribution partner to several of
solutions provide accurate, rapid information to the U.S. government, which is a the GEO operators that were also awarded on the p-LEO contract.
fundamental component of decision making on and off the battlefield. In addition, we believe in the power of collaboration and that integrated
We are committed to offering our customers more choice, and that means solutions are more resilient and powerful. To that end, OneWeb Technologies
we take a broader and integrated approach to developing our COMSATCOM has completed 16 distribution agreements with partners from around the
solutions. This open approach allows us to offer the best multi-orbit satellite industry, including GEO satellite operators, system integrators, antenna
(geosynchronous, GEO, middle-earth orbit, MEO, and LEO) solutions that meet manufactures and small businesses.
the U.S. DoD’s exact requirements.
Our nimble, open and customized approach to developing and tailoring What is Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (p-LEO)? Is OneWeb
solutions makes OneWeb Technologies highly attractive for mission-critical Technologies engaged in this technology? If so, why is this
applications – be it for connecting warfighters, enabling broadband and IoT significant and what routes will the company take to support p-LEO?
connectivity to crewed and uncrewed platforms.
Ed Slater
What is the firm’s relationship with Eutelsat OneWeb? The USSF’s Commercial Satellite Communications Office (CSCO) overhauled
its procurement procedure for commercial satellite communications services
Ed Slater (COMSATCOM), replacing the system with a model that consolidates both
OneWeb Technologies is the U.S. proxy company to OneWeb and a leading provider contracts and military customer requirements. As mentioned, this new
provider of LEO satellite services for the U.S. government, and its allies, in the model allows the CSCO to consolidate contracts and gives military agencies
rapidly evolving field of satellite communications. OneWeb Technologies was a more holistic view of available COMSATCOM providers’ capabilities. This
specifically formed to meet the demand for secure satellite communications program enables government users the ability to act more rapidly and offers
here in the U.S., and as a wholly owned subsidiary of our foreign-based flexible access to customized IT solutions and emerging technologies from a
company, we can work directly with U.S. agencies. diverse pool of commercial satellite providers.
Recognizing that our customers’ needs are unique, OneWeb Technologies Our award as a prime p-LEO contractor establishes a “pre-competition”
customizes capabilities on top of OneWeb’s global LEO satellite constellation award of sorts and is a significant milestone for OneWeb Technologies making
to offer the U.S. government and its allies the secure, robust and resilient us a trusted partner to the U.S. government. From our perspective, this means
connectivity they require. We are focused on providing differentiated low- less competition, and opens more opportunities for us to work with the U.S.
latency, high-throughput, communications meeting the demanding expectations Space Force in connecting our troops.
of government users. Now, as a prime contractor in the p-LEO program, OneWeb Technologies is
Now, with the recent announcement of the merger of OneWeb and Eutelsat, able to add customized capabilities on top of OneWeb’s constellation to offer
OneWeb Technologies can expand the capabilities that we are able to offer our the U.S. government and the secure connectivity they require.
customers. We are very excited about the possibilities of what we will soon be
able to offer. What are some of the future communications needs of the U.S.
Department of Defense (DoD) and the U.S. Space Force (USSF)?
Why should the U.S. Government (USG) and the nation’s allies What can we expect from commercial MILSATCOM companies to
work with OneWeb Technologies? What pluses does your meet these future requirements?
company offer over competing firms for USG business?
Ed Slater
Ed Slater Government demand for satellite broadband continues to increase as satellite
OneWeb Technologies’ focus is 100 percent on the government market and communications have become an even more critical element of the US
supporting our partners. The investments we are making to advance our low- military’s strategy. The shift in the U.S. DoD’s approach to their COMSATCOM
latency LEO technologies will benefit governments greatly, providing them procurement process is a key indication of this. This means our forces can
access to secure, robust, and resilient new connectivity capabilities faster than benefit from the innovation of our commercial systems, without the upfront
they can do themselves. investment and ultimately our warfighters have the access to the crucial
Government and commercial collaboration is certainly not new in the satellite connectivity, data and information that they require on the battlefield.
industry, but OneWeb Technologies takes a unique approach to the delivery The type of SATCOMs needed by the U.S. military is also changing; it
of our secure and trusted services. The U.S. government is our number one is shifting to more robust, resilient, and lower-latency systems to support
priority. We view ourselves as a partner of the government and invested in autonomy and faster decision cycles. Plus, our military users expect their
making their objectives ours. devices and networks to work just as fast as they do outside of government. It
used to be that we would take government technologies and implement them
commercially, and now it is the government that is benefiting from the speed
and power of commercial innovation.

MilsatMagazine Page 19 December 2023

 The company has successfully engaged in several successful Capability. I was able to be a part of the process to demonstrate the aircraft,
demonstrations for government agencies. Please tell us about crews, maintenance, and support could deploy and execute the mission. This is
these events and the agency’s response to these exercises? an experience few people get to be part of, and I am proud to have been one of
those people.
Ed Slater The Air Force One mission was an incredible experience with hardworking,
Recently, our team attended the Shadow Warrior Tech Summit, presenting focused, mission-driven airmen. It’s difficult to put into words what its truly like.
our capabilities to Joint and Special forces units, along with demos of partner The pride of the PAG I think is unmatched, the “No Fail Mission” really changes
Kymeta Corporation’s U8 communications-on-the-move (COTM) offering as the way you think and approach tough and complex problems.
well as the OneWeb FoldSat LEo Ku OW Mil foldable and person-portable user In my civilian career, OneWeb was an amazing experience. I initially joined
terminal manufactured by Inster Group. OneWeb in 2019 and experienced both the lows and highs of bringing that
We also collaborated with Kymeta and Viasat to demonstrate the seamless constellation to market. One of the highs of course was the Trustcomm
integration of a multi-orbit, LEO and GEO solution to deliver high-bandwidth, acquisition, which created OneWeb Technologies where I sit today.
reliable communications for our U.S. Marine Corps. The demo took place during More recently, the merger of OneWeb and Eutelsat creates an opportunity for
the U.S. Marine Corps’ 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO) OneWeb Technologies to strengthen the capabilities. Now the pace is picking
“Exercise Red Flag,” and showcased that interoperability across multiple up, satellites are up, more terminals are coming to market and expanded
plans is possible. This type of integration is a primary component of the 1st coverage is rolling out.
ANGLICO’s PACE plan, and a growing expectation from the U.S. military. This is an amazing time to be in the satellite industry and to be part of
That demo came on the heels of the successful conclusion of several bringing a capability to market that will support the U.S. warfighter.
demonstrations with MITRE and the Department of the Air Force’s Program
Executive Office for Command, Control, Communication and Battle onewebtechnologies.net
Management (PEO C3BM) during the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command “Exercise
Northern Edge” in Alaska at the Joint Pacific-Alaska Range Complex (JPARC).
These demonstrations were well received and we were pleased to have the
opportunity to showcase these powerful new LEO connectivity capabilities for
military operations – while on-the-move or stationary. OneWeb Technologies Inc. is a commercial satellite communications
(SATCOM) services provider, offering resilient fixed and mobile solutions to
When you review your career in this industry, what missions or the U.S. government and its allies. As OneWeb’s U.S. proxy organization,
projects truly bring a sense of satisfaction to you? OneWeb Technologies has access to an operational, robust 600+ global low-
earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, and offers a customer-first, adaptable
Ed Slater and consultative approach to developing customer solutions. The company
Not sure I could name just one project, as I am fortunate to have had an provides Committed Information Rates (CIR), contracted Service Level
incredible career. Agreements (SLAs), a 24/7 Managed Service Operation Center (MSOC),
A couple of highlights that stand out to me include my first duty station and offers traffic prioritization through a Global Access Network (GAN) that
in the USAF, where I was a Communications System Operator on JSTARS. meets or exceeds U.S. government security mandates.
When I arrived at JSTARS, the Wing hadn’t even achieved Initial Operational

MilsatMagazine Page 20 December 2023

 Quadsat
Year In Review
Author: Joakim Espeland, Chief Executive Officer

Author:

The satellite industry has ushered in a new era where space and environment safe. It is not surprising that it is an area where we are seeing a
ground segments are becoming significantly more complex as lot of innovation, from better tracking to interference monitoring, and of course,
the industry pivots to meet consumer demand for high-speed improving testing.
connectivity and high availability.
Drone technology is another area where we are seeing a huge amount of
At the same time, space has become the new frontier for security and defence. innovation due to the enormous volume of drones being used in modern
The geopolitical situation is changing and countries around the globe are warfare. This is leading to higher production volumes, as well as better reliability
stepping up defensive and preventative actions in response to the evolving and optimized costs.
threats to military satellite systems. All of this is activity driving the need for
improved testing programs. While a lot of this innovation is being driven by necessity, it will be crucial
to ensuring the defence industry can continue to use space in a secure and
The Threat In Space Has Become Real reliable way.

The current geopolitical situation has brought a growing awareness of the While testing ground equipment doesn’t stop the aggressive actions, it does
threats in space. ensure governments and defence entities can ensure their systems are
performing optimally at all times.
While space has been a potential target for many years, we are starting to
see real actions and tests that could have a catastrophic impact on the entire While the industry is mostly on board with testing pre-operation, testing
space environment. throughout the life-cycle and in real situations has historically been far
more challenging.
From ASATs to jamming and cyber-attacks, the defence industry is
constantly working to protect its military satellite systems from threats, and It is arguably more important in a defense situation than any other operation
attacks from adversaries. when you consider the challenging situations under which these systems
operate and the ongoing threats that might cause degradation.
Of course, the industry hasn’t been sitting on its laurels and there are already a
huge amount of counter measures developed, and being developed to keep the

MilsatMagazine Page 22 December 2023

 At the same time, as drone technology continues to improve, we will likely see With all of this activity on the horizon, we are noting a great deal of interest in
new applications emerging that are perhaps not possible with today’s systems, how we can help define new test methodologies for both existing, and next-
as well as improved functionality for existing applications. generation services.
At Quadsat, this year has seen a massive pick up in interest for what we can
provide from the defence industry. This included working the Danish Navy to Quadsat Is Democratizing Testing
perform a technical demonstration of the Quadsat testing solution in a real
operational environment. Perhaps the most important milestone for us as a company was the launch of
a productized version of our solution. Previously only available as a service,
The pilot project demonstrated the system’s ability to measure antenna radiation customers can now acquire their own version of the Quadsat system, obtain the
diagrams on board vessels. necessary training and then conduct their own tests as, and when, needed. This
has enabled us to truly democratize regular testing, giving the industry a more-
The demonstration also showed the potential for the system to be used for cost efficient way to access antenna test and measurement.
testing and calibration of other Navy equipment, such as radars, EW and a
range of other RF equipment. While we continue to offer the service for those customers that require it, we have
signed our first customers and partners for the productized version and look
Moving Toward Standardized Test Procedures forward to continuing to grow our partner ecosystem. This version of the Quadsat
system has also enabled us to focus more time on the next product developments.
At the end of 2022, we reached a major milestone when the SOMAP (Satellite
Operators Minimum Antenna Performance) group confirmed that they could Earlier this year we announced the ability of our drone system to emulate orbital
accept ground station antenna measurement results obtained via our passes of a LEO or MEO satellite as seen from the antenna on the ground.
drone-based antenna verification system.
This means that the system can generate virtual passes from any direction and
Consisting of some of the largest operators (AsiaSat, Eutelsat, Inmarsat, at any elevation angles to perform tracking tests, wherever the antenna
Intelsat, and SES), this agreement on approved testing procedures is critical is located.
for the industry, meaning tests can be setup as needed based on specific
requirements that will meet the needs of multiple operators. We are continuing to work on new features and frequency ranges, so watch this
space for updates coming soon.
When SOMAP was first created, it was totally revolutionary and instantly
changed the game for antenna manufacturers, teleport operators, and satellite Improving testing capabilities is critical if the industry is to mitigate disruptions,
operators alike, making the process of testing far less time-consuming. deliver seamless connectivity, and remain competitive in the face of competing
technologies, such as 5G, 6G and IP.
We are seeing a lot of movement in the industry to reduce that further and
that can only be achieved through closer industry-wide collaboration and new As we head toward 2024, we look forward to further expanding our operations
testing methodologies. and enhancing the Quadsat product range, so that we can take RF testing and
diagnostics to the next level.
This is about to get more challenging as we are already seeing the first Flat www.quadsat.com
Panel Antennas coming to market. Given how vital these antennas are for many
of the LEO applications, this number is about to grow significantly, however as
of now there is no common testing procedure in place.
Author Joakim Espeland is an entrepreneur, electrical and mechanical
These antennas cannot be tested in the same way as parabolic antennas and
engineer. satellite field engineer and examiner. Joakim developed
given many will be used for Comms-on-the-Move (COTM), it will be even more
QuadSAT from idea to start up to current success story.
important for them to be tested insitu.

MilsatMagazine Page 23 December 2023

MilsatMagazine Page 23 December 2023

 Command Center: Matt Tirman
President, Satellogic

Author:

Matt Tirman serves as the President of Satellogic The U.S. government seems to be streamlining its processes
and brings more than 20 years of experience for working with commercial providers -are we likely to see
in technology and aerospace from across the governments relying on commercial operators more?
U.S. government and international markets. As
President, he leads the operational execution of Matt Tirman
Satellogic’s strategy and business plan. Prior to There is growing concern that the U.S. would lose its lead in spaceflight which
this appointment, Mr. Tirman held the position of opened the door for more contracts with commercial operations. What we
Chief Commercial Officer, where he began laying saw this month was the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Space and Science
the groundwork for Satellogic’s early entry into addressing the red tape with the regulatory framework called “Part 450.”
the U.S. market. The United States Space Force (USSF) has been building a broader strategy
Before joining Satellogic in 2021, Matt for procurement of commercial services over the past year to ultimately have a
served as Head of Government at Descartes “commercial space reserve” and the organization is working on a commercial
Matt Tirman Labs, a leading provider of geospatial and strategy, or blueprint, as to how this will integrate commercial satellite services
multi-sensor analytics, where he revenue growth and customer into routine military activities.
delivery across defense and intelligence clients. His previous roles Commercial systems continue to prove as a critical partner to national
include Chief Commercial Officer at PlanetRisk, where he was capabilities. The expansion in various Earth Observation (EO) related
responsible for delivering enterprise geospatial risk analytics and contracts, such as the upsizing of the National Reconnaissance
customized big data solutions to Global 1000 customers; Chief Organization (NRO) and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
Executive Officer and founder of Access Global, a consulting firm contracts, and establishment of the USSF, are but a few examples of
providing executive management, sales, and business development opportunities shaped by commercial providers.
solutions in foreign markets across EMEA and Asia; Vice President
and Managing Director at Strategic Social, a technology and services Commercial satellite operators seem to be advancing rapidly —
firm operating frontier markets across the Middle East and North what applications are coming out of the commercial sector that are
Africa that he helped grow to more than $40M in annual revenue of most interest to government clients?
before it was sold to Constellis in 2014.
Additionally, Matt has served as an analyst for the US Matt Tirman
Department of Defense on cooperative Research and In 2022, a record number of commercial satellites were deployed — 2,325 —
Development and as a speechwriter for senior military leadership and the private sector is historically a stronger engine for innovation as well as
in Washington D.C. and Baghdad, Iraq. He holds a master’s for lower costs and increased capabilities.
degree in Defense and Security from Lancaster University When looking at reliability, flexibility and redundancy, one example
and a BS in Political Science from East Carolina University. would be the U.S. Army — a large user of satellite data — has a goal of
decentralizing data sharing. Remote sensing is a priority for U.S. government
use during national security emergencies. Also, exceptional, high-resolution,
Company update EO capture capability with the best geospatial data quality, all at the lowest
Satellogic recently announced its redomicile to the U.S. with a new focus on cost, must be attained.
expanding business within the U.S. market and Matt Tirman was appointed
the President and is overseeing the firm’s U.S. strategy.

MilsatMagazine Page 24 December 2023

 Another step in the process for Satellogic was filing for a National Will the redomicile change operations and what is the
Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) license. How has expected timeline?
that process been and what is the expected timeline for licensing?
Matt Tirman
Matt Tirman We plan to complete the conversion during the first half of 2024 and this will be
We filed an application to license our constellation with NOAA as part of paired with our pending NOAA license application. This will enable Satellogic to
expanding business in the U.S. market to better position Satellogic to compete start manufacturing in the U.S., thereby expanding our manufacturing capacity
for U.S. government and allied contracts. and accelerating our aim to deliver daily, global remaps.
Licensing has historically been a lengthy process; however, NOAA’s CRSRA
group has significantly improved the time to obtain a license by 70% as a part of Satellogic already has a GEOINT contract in the works – what will
their efforts to streamline and keep pace with industry innovation. that focus on and how was organized pre-NOAA license?
Earlier this year, we saw the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) launch the Space Bureau to improve coordination among agencies Matt Tirman
and commercial providers to make it easier for new companies to obtain the Satellogic, through its partner Palantir, has been connected with a variety of
authorizations they need to enter the market. We anticipate licensing prior to the U.S. government projects.
end of 2023.
Your Asset Monitoring and Constellation-as-a-Service (CaaS)
businesses have gained momentum, contributing to a 33%
growth in revenue for the first part of this year — are there any
changes here with the redomicile?

Matt Tirman
As we look to 2024 and beyond, our continued growth will be in Asset
Monitoring, Constellation-as-a-Service, and our Space Systems —
which we anticipate will contribute considerably.

There are some 133 commercial space companies that provide

their services to the U.S. military — none of which have had
automatic protection provided by U.S. Space Command. Are
there any concerns that your spacecraft could become a target
by non-allied nations?

Matt Tirman
The U.S. intelligence community and DoD are increasingly reliant
on commercial satellites for imagery and other critical data. Since
Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine, commercial space companies have
provided critical intelligence and communications services to Ukraine
and that nation’s allies, and Russia’s military has threatened to target
commercial systems.
The U.S. is working to ‘better enable protection of commercial remote
sensing space assets’ The NRO, the NGA and U.S. Space Command
(USSPACECOM) recently signed an agreement to improve threat
intelligence sharing with commercial satellite operators.

satellogic.com

MilsatMagazine Page 25 December 2023

 Space Safety
Challenges and developments
Author: Joe Chan, Chairman and Exective Director

However, as space becomes busier, the risk of damage to satellites from an in-
There can be no denying that the global space industry has
orbit collision with other space objects increases.
experienced a significant growth rate in recent years.
Space safety is critical for the space industry because without it, the successful
According to a report by the Space Foundation, in 2021, the industry grew at its
and sustainable operation of spacecraft, satellites, and other space-related
fastest rate since 2014, with an impressive, year-over-year growth rate of 9%.
activities cannot be maintained. Improving and maintaining space safety is
however, not without its challenges.
This growth has been driven by a number of factors, including advancements in
technology, increased demand for space-based services, and the emergence of
The Problem With Debris
new players.
It stands to reason that as the number of objects on-orbit increases, so does the
The industry is no longer dominated by traditional government space agencies
amount of debris created by defunct satellites, rocket stages, and other objects.
and large aerospace companies.
Although there are systems in place for tracking debris over 10 cm, our ability
Instead, a new generation of private companies and startups are entering the
to detect and track smaller pieces of debris is limited. This is where the problem
market, offering new services and products.
rests, as even smaller objects, less than the size of an orange, have the potential
to still cause significant damage to satellites and spacecraft.
These companies are leveraging advances in technology and new business
To put this into perspective, consider the damage a moped traveling at 50 kph
models to offer services such as satellite internet and remote sensing.
would do in a collision — that would certainly would be significant.
As the industry continues to expand, it’s bringing new and exciting opportunities
Compare this with an object traveling in space that is only as big as a paperclip,
for companies and individuals, as well as playing an increasingly important role
such as a tiny fleck of paint from a spacecraft and weighing just one gram.
in our economy and society.
That moped and the fleck of paint would both
impact with the same kinetic energy and could
cause an identical level of damage upon impact.

When taking this into account, it’s clear to see

that even small pieces of debris pose a significant
threat to active spacecraft, satellites and other
human spaceflight operations.

Detecting and tracking debris, particularly small

pieces, is challenging for a number of reasons,
in part because it is just plain difficult to see
with existing systems, but also because of the
complexity around the constantly changing orbits of
objects in space.

MilsatMagazine Page 26 December 2023

 Detection + Tracking ability to detect and track objects in space, and to gather information about
their size, shape, and composition. This information can be used to identify and
Space situational awareness (SSA) is critical in ensuring the safe and efficient classify objects, and also to determine their potential threat level.
use of space. During recent years, we’ve seen significant technological
developments in the field of space surveillance and tracking systems. These The sustainability of the space industry is dependent on the ability of operations
systems use radar and optical telescopes to track and monitor the position and to be carried out as safely as possible. The potential fallout from a collision could
movements of objects which makes for much more accurate warning systems. well be disastrous because it could result in hundreds or even thousands of new
pieces of debris being thrown into orbit. This is why it is so critical that we improve
When this data is combined with mathematical models that take into account space safety and develop much more effective and reliable SSA systems.
the effects of various factors, such as the Earth’s gravity and solar radiation
pressure, it’s easier to predict the future positions of space objects with a high To accomplish this, we need to continue to develop technology that provides
degree of accuracy. Better detection and tracking of objects in space will enable us with the required detecting and tracking capabilities. SSA capabilities must
more accurate assessment of the probability of collisions, which in turn will help be upgraded into the 21st century — otherwise, the sustainability and further
satellite operators to avoid unnecessary avoidance maneuvers. expansion of the space industry could be at risk of more than collisions.

Another important development is the use of artificial intelligence and machine The time has come for technology to catch with to the crucial need of reliable
learning (AI / ML) algorithms. These technologies help to analyze vast amounts SSA to ensure safety in space.
of data from space surveillance and tracking systems, so that patterns can be
identified and potential collisions predicted. www.space-data.org/sda/

In addition, the use of advanced communications systems, such as satellites Author Joe Chan is the director of Flight Dynamics at Intelsat.
and laser communications, have made it possible to transmit data and He oversees the FDS operation and engineering of more than 70
information from space to ground stations in real-time. geostationary satellites that Intelsat currently operates. He has
These systems allow for far more accurate and timely SSA, enabling faster been with Intelsat for 24 years. Prior to joining Intelsat he worked
response to potential collisions or other hazards. at Goddard Space Flight center on the TOPEX/POSEIDON
and Mars Observer projects.
The use of advanced sensors and imaging systems have also played a big use
of high-resolution cameras and other sensors have significantly improved the
Joe Chan

MilsatMagazine Page 27 December 2023

 — Space Systems Command Briefing —
Data Transport
SSC working to modernize, improve and build resiliency into space and ground architecture
Author: Lisa Sodders, Space Systems Command

Author:

The world increasingly depends on data — from the GPS signals “Many of the components of our data transport
that navigate location for first responders to shipping, agriculture, system have worked very well, for a very long
and hosts of other industries, to timing signals that help secure time,” said Colonel Peter C. Mastro, senior
financial transactions, to the missile warning and intelligence materiel leader, Tactical Command, Control and
information that aids warfighters in the field. Communication Delta at SSC. “But now, we’re on
the brink of a data transport revolution and SSC is
While the United States has long enjoyed a competitive advantage through its working hard to create a stronger, faster and more
space-based satellite systems, several factors have created the need for a multi- resilient system that can meet the threat now — and
faceted push within the U.S. Space Force (USSF) to modernize data transport, adapt to the demands of the future.”
with Space Systems Command (SSC) as the key driver.
Mastro’s work focuses on getting commands to
Previously, U.S. satellite communication missions were spread out among satellites and the connection between satellite
the military branches. With the creation of the USSF, those missions are now ground systems and the satellites on-orbit, as well Col. Peter Mastro
consolidated under one branch to ensure unity of effort. as the movement of data across terrestrial lines that
connect USSF missions together.
Factors driving modernization efforts include rapid improvements in technology
that have expanded capabilities; the explosive growth in the number of on-orbit Satellites and the ground systems that support them provide a wealth of critical
satellites, particularly in Low Earth Orbit (LEO); new partnerships with allies and data: position, navigation and timing (PNT); intelligence, surveillance and
the commercial space industry; and the need for more resilient systems that can reconnaissance (ISR); missile warning and missile defense; communications,
withstand threats from adversaries. weather; and research and development (R&D).

MilsatMagazine Page 28 December 2023

 It’s not just about providing data during a conflict; a host of other government
agencies — from the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) to the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) — depend on data
provided by the USSF.

The backbone of the system is the Satellite Control Network (SCN), which was
first established in 1959. The SCN is a worldwide system of 19 antenna stations
in seven separate geographical locations that track Department of Defense
(DoD) and other government agencies’ satellite locations, collect data on the However, Mastro added that figure is an overall average capacity metric: there
satellites’ status and send control commands to various sub-systems. SCN is may be some specific geographic areas and times during which, “the network
also an important part of launch support and provides emergency support for may be maxed out, and there may be space vehicles that want a particular
lost or out-of-control satellites. contact, and they are turned away from the SCN because there isn’t capacity to
help them.”
“You can think about it like the Space Force is operating a drone — this drone
(satellite) just happens to be on-orbit,” Mastro said. “You have to be able to send Priority is set by the U.S. Space Command, and if, for example, a
it commands to do things, to turn on payloads like the communication radios. communications satellite needs a slot at the same time one of the missile
Or, if it happens to have a camera on board or, for our missile warning satellites, warning satellites requires access, then the communication satellite may need to
an imager, point it in the right direction. And then you have to be able to monitor wait for a later time slot, Mastro noted.
the satellite, that all the subsystems are working as we expect them to be. “That
temperature readings are all staying in the bounds as they go around the earth From 2021 to 2022, there were more than 15,000 “conflict deletes” where
and get exposed to the sun and then go into the shadow.” SCN operators were unable to accommodate specific requests, according to
the GAO.
Mastro continued, “When you collect the data, you also have to contact the
satellite. All of that data needs to get down to the ground and processed, But USSF and SSC have launched multiple efforts to improve the way the Space
typically through the mission-unique antennas we have.” Force can communicate with the increasing number of satellites, including
expanding the number of antennas the USSF can access.
However, the SCN antenna stations communicate with satellites using parabolic
antennas and can only communicate with one satellite at a time — and only Under the Federal Augmentation Services system, USSF gets access to
within a limited window of time when that satellite is in range of the antenna. antennas owned by NOAA, and if those antennas are underused, the USSF is
As the number of active payloads increases, demand for those communication able to use them, Mastro said, adding, “That way, the federal government is
slots is skyrocketing. more efficiently using the resources that we have so we don’t have to go out and
buy more — we just better share what we have across our federal agencies.”
“With the existing SCN antennas, they talk to one satellite at a time,” Mastro
said. “And as we launch more satellites, that starts to put a capacity burden on Another project underway is the Satellite Communication Augmentation
the number of satellites that we can actually talk to.” Resource (SCAR), a phased-array antenna that would be capable of as many
as 10 simultaneous contacts. Unlike a parabolic antenna, a phased array panel
An April 2023 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has a flat panel that receives and transmits from multiple beams, Mastro said.
estimated that the SCN averaged more than 164,000 contacts with satellites per
year, or about 450 a day. “SCAR is a Space Force-built, Space Force-owned antenna — development
and delivery is being run by the Space Rapid Capabilities Office,” Mastro said.
The GAO also noted that the utilization rate for the SCN has averaged 75% “When they develop and deliver that, it’s going to be absolutely outstanding and
over the last decade — exceeding the 70 percent level cited by USSF as the will drastically increase the number of simultaneous satellite contacts the Space
threshold used by the commercial industry to indicate the need for Force will be able to do.”
more capacity.
SSC has continued to develop partnerships with the commercial space industry
as part of its “exploit what you have, buy what you can, and build what you
must” strategy, and that includes the field of data transport. But Mastro noted
there are some limitations. “We have been working to get access to more of the
commercial network antennas that are out there. But there are a few things that
Space Force satellites require that are difficult to find in the commercial market.”

One critical factor is that almost all USSF satellites communicate on a specific
frequency for uplink and downlink and a specific waveform, SGLS. (additional
information on SGLS is available at this Space Foundation infosite link).

Although USSF is adding more satellites to LEO to make their systems more
resilient, it also has a number of satellites in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)
and Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO) and many of the available commercial
antennas aren’t sized — either in their physical size or their power — to handle
transmissions to those orbits, Mastro said.

“That waveform has been used by the Air Force, and now the Space Force for
decades, and is not supported by commercial providers — outside of the Space
Force, nobody really uses that standard,” Mastro said. “But nearly all of our
satellites need to communicate in that waveform.”

“As we look to expand out and get access to commercial antennas, we either
have to only use those antennas to communicate to a very small number
of Space Force satellites or you end up having to do things like modifying

MilsatMagazine Page 29 December 2023

 commercial antennas to meet your requirements,” Mastro said. “You could also “If I wanted missile warning data, even though I’m
change the satellites to communicate on a commercially used waveform, and the on a U.S. Space Force base, I can’t plug into a wall
USAF/USSF has had efforts in the past to make that change. The entire point of jack and get SBIRS (Space Based Infrared System
going to commercial providers is that (the product) exists already and you can satellite) data,” said Lieutenant Colonel Louis J.
expand quickly. But if they don’t transmit or receive at the right frequency, then Aldini, Materiel Leader, Information Mobility at SSC.
we can’t just use them as is.”
“With meshONE-T, data is now more readily
“We do believe getting commercial antennas connected into Space Force available to different mission users at USSF and
operations to a greater degree than we have right now is part of what we are other locations,” Aldini said. “You can plug into a
trying to achieve,” Mastro said. “It’s just one example of how the Space Force meshONE-T node, and if SBIRS is a mission user on
operates differently than commercial industry that makes it a little more difficult there, you’re that much closer to getting the data.
than just saying we can turn it all over to commercial.” We don’t allow instant access for cyber reasons,
but just by offering that capability, we’ve shortened Lt. Col. Louis J. Aldini
However, partnering with the commercial space industry is an important way timelines down from months to possibly days.
the Space Force can ensure that it has the newest, best, and most innovative meshONE-T also provides enhanced data transport resiliency and path diversity
technology, Mastro said, and in many cases, commercial partners have been across the architecture.”
able to tailor a product to the military’s unique requirements for security — either
for the end capability itself or the defense of that capability. “My office is focused on making sure data transport is more seamless and more
of a commodity for multiple different missions to use, as opposed to having
One example of a successful commercial partnership has been MeshONE-T, individual programs architect solutions for themselves,” Aldini said. “They hand
a multi-node, software defined, wide-area network that partners with Defense over their needs and requirements and we provide the solutions.”
Information Systems Agency (DISA), as well as commercial providers of
long-haul terrestrial communication to provide those data transport services SSC also is taking a multiple-pronged approach to replacing the current,
to different mission areas that need it, Mastro said. DISA provides a global manually operated DOS-based SCN scheduling system, which has been in
infrastructure for information sharing and communication, across the DoD. place since 1991, Mastro said.

The project originally started two years ago with Sev1Tech to develop a “Sometimes with a capability like our antenna network, it is more difficult to
prototype for a modern, resilient, scalable, and secure data transport network. get that high priority in funding decisions in comparison to some of the end
operational capability,” Mastro said. “Over the years, there has been an under-
investment in the SCN.”

Next year, SSC will replace it with AST (AF(SCN) Scheduling Tool) which
will put the system on a modern infrastructure. After that, SSC will roll out
Enterprise Resource Manager (ERM) a Cloud-based system “which will
really automate the way we do scheduling, not just across government-owned
antennas, but also across commercial and other federal network antennas,”
Mastro said. ERM is expected to be launched sometime in 2028.

“We have a lot going on,” Mastro said. “We’re improving multiple pieces of it, all
in parallel.”

Space Systems Command is the U.S. Space Force field command

responsible for acquiring, developing, and delivering resilient capabilities
to protect our nation’s strategic advantage in, from, and to space. SSC
manages a $15 billion space acquisition budget for the Department of
Defense and works in partnership with joint forces, industry, government
agencies, academic and allied organizations to outpace emerging
threats. Our actions today are making the world a better space for tomorrow.

This pathfinding effort is already integrating disparate mission systems’s data Contact Space Systems Command at SSC@spaceforce.mil and follow
transport and provides a scalable foundation for future efforts to utilize across on LinkedIn.
Space Force, Air Force and, ultimatly, other branches of military service to
achieve.Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2).

“We are building out this Mesh network of long-haul data transport that has all
the modern cybersecurity capabilities, has Zero Trust capabilities embedded in
it, and it provides resilient pathways,” Mastro said. “Currently, it’s all terrestrial
fiber optic paths, but we will be expanding into MILSATCOM connections as
well as connections through commercial, proliferated LEO. So we will have even
more diversity and resiliency in the way the Space Force moves data.”

Mastro said SSC has collected requirements from mission partners across the
USSF and has been working to roll out capabilities to them. Currently, there are
17 worldwide deployed nodes at different bases around the world.

“So many programs out there have to figure out how to move data and turn to
DISA,” Mastro said. “DISA is an outstanding partner in providing that support,
but now with a program like meshONE-T, if there is any individual program that
should be focused on their mission, they can turn to meshONE-T and meshONE-T
can handle all the details around how to move that data. MeshONE can work with
DISA, meshONE-T can work with the commercial satcom through proliferated
LEO. And we can provide, in partnership with DISA, something that is even more
resilient than the mission unique program would otherwise obtain.”

MilsatMagazine Page 30 December 2023

SMALLSAT
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Key Connections and Insights For
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