Space Situation Awareness Systems

Mission — Ground Based Optical Sensor source

Ground Based Optical Sensor System (GBOSS) includes an upgrade to the Ground-based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance (GEODSS) system that enables GEODSS to monitor small, closely-spaced, and advanced threats in low, mid, high, and geostationary orbits. The upgraded system will discover currently undetectable space threats, reduce an adversary's tactical surprise and deliver the data required to support accurate, timely, actionable Space Domain Awareness (SDA). This facilitates decision-making within the compressed timelines dictated by the realities of the congested, contested, competitive space domain. This enhanced SDA capability directly supports the Find, Fix, Track, Target, Engage, and Assess (F2T2EA) stages of the GEO Kill Chain, enabling more effective space control operations. GBOSS also investigates the use of passive RF capabilities to augment its optical data, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the space domain. The program delivers a combination of performance upgrades to existing GEODSS sites, including advanced data exploitation and rapid data dissemination. The program will seek Allied partnerships to incorporate coalition data, purchase commercial data to increase capacity, and/or investigate new GEODSS sites to provide a global capability to positively identify an adversary committing an orbital attack. This collaborative approach with allies leverages shared optical capabilities for enhanced space domain awareness and collective defense. The program includes updates to the GEODSS image processing and optical subsystems that will enhance its sensitivity and search rate, and fields new multi-spectral advanced technology sensors supporting extended operations, high- fidelity characterization, enhanced indications and warnings (I&W), and attribution. The FY 2026 request for GBOSS includes $992 thousands of discretionary and $9,285 thousands of mandatory (reconciliation) for a total of $10,277 thousands. The mandatory funds complete the fielding of the GBOSS upgrade to the MAUI GEODSS site in FY 2026. Further information for this reconciliation request is provided in Section 20009 (INDOPACOM Capabilities) of the Reconciliation Exhibit. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver Space Based SDA weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 1206392SF and 1206398SF.

Mission — Space Situation Awareness Systems source

Space Domain Awareness (SDA) is one of five core competencies of the Space Force and includes the effective identification, characterization, and understanding of any factor, passive or active, associated with the space domain that could affect space operations and thereby impact the security, safety, economy, or environment of our nation. As the foundation for space control, SDA encompasses surveillance of all space objects and activities; detailed surveillance of specific space assets; monitoring space environmental conditions; monitoring cooperative space assets; gathering indications and warning on adversary space operations; and conducting integrated command, control, communications, processing, analysis, dissemination, and archiving activities. This program element develops, tests, upgrades, and fields new SDA capabilities across the space surveillance network (SSN) while companion program element 1203940SF develops, fields, and operationalizes sensor networks and information integration capabilities. Activities funded in this program element (1206425SF) also support efforts such as engineering studies and analyses, architectural engineering studies, trade studies, technology needs forecasting, modernization initiatives, systems engineering, system development, and test & evaluation. Activities may include prototyping and technology demonstration(s). Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) is a ground-based, SDA radar system that detects, tracks, and maintains custody of deep space objects 24/7 in all weather and through the solar exclusion gap. DARC will augment the SSN as an additional sensor with increased capacity and capability for deep space object custody, providing full global coverage. In 2021, DARC Site 1 was awarded as a Middle Tier Acquisition (MTA) rapid prototype. On 22 May 2024, the Service Acquisition Executive (SAE) signed an Acquisition Decision Memorandum (ADM) transitioning the program to a Major Capability Acquisition (MCA) program that now includes all three sites; Australia, United Kingdom (UK), and the U.S. The SILENTBARKER program is developing and delivering a space-based SDA system to provide space object surveillance through a phased acquisition approach starting with SILENTBARKER Baseline. The baseline program will be followed by SILENTBARKER Expansion and then SILENTBARKER-B in accordance with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) approved acquisition strategy. The United States Space Force (USSF) and NRO have signed a Memorandum of Agreement partnering on the SILENTBARKER program based on overlapping requirements. The space-based SDA program activity will develop and deliver a system to continue providing space object surveillance. Space Based SDA enables timely detection and custody of on-orbit threats in order to protect U.S. High Value Assets in space in support of the National Defense Strategy. Space Based SDA requirements are based on both the Statement of Capabilities and the current 2022 Space Domain Awareness (SDA) Initial Capabilities Document, which is focused on protecting High Value Assets. Space Based SDA will provide the capability to search, detect, and track objects from a space-based sensor for timely custody and event detection. Surveillance from space augments and overcomes existing ground sensor limitations with timely 24-hour above-the-weather collection of satellite metric data. This data is communicated to operators at the Combined Space Operations Center (CSpOC), National Space Defense Center (NSDC), and other classified users. This program element includes efforts related to Space Based SDA, its integration into the broader space superiority architecture, and analysis and experimentation to ensure space-based space surveillance capabilities are effective against the evolving threat. Ground Based Optical Sensor System (GBOSS) includes an upgrade to the Ground-based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance (GEODSS) system that enables GEODSS to monitor small, closely-spaced, and advanced threats in low, mid, high, and geostationary orbits. The upgraded system will discover currently undetectable space threats, reduce an adversary's tactical surprise and deliver the data required to support accurate, timely, and actionable SDA. This facilitates decision-making within the compressed timelines dictated by the realities of the congested, contested, competitive space domain. The program delivers a combination of performance upgrades to existing GEODSS sites, including advanced data exploitation and rapid data dissemination. The GBOSS program will also incorporate coalition data, commercial data, and includes options to develop new GEODSS sites to extend our global footprint and increase our capacity to positively identify an adversary committing an orbital attack. The program also includes updates to the GEODSS image processing and optical subsystems that will enhance its sensitivity and search rate, and fields new multi-spectral advanced technology sensors supporting extended operations, high- fidelity characterization, enhanced indications and warnings (I&W), and attribution. The FY 2026 request for Space Situational Awareness Systems includes $992 thousand of discretionary funds and $455,000 thousand of mandatory (reconciliation) funds for a total of $455,992 thousand. The mandatory funds continue construction and integration of DARC Site 1, and development of Site 2; ongoing baseline and expansion capabilities for Silentbarker; and fielding the GBOSS upgrade to the MAUI GEODSS site in FY 2026. Further information for this reconciliation request is provided in Section 20009 (INDOPACOM Capabilities) of the Reconciliation Exhibit. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver Space and Ground Based SDA and Ground Based Optical system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 1206392SF and 1206398SF. For Space Based SDA in PY 0.225M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in CY 0.225M is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this program element. This program is in Budget Activity 5, System Development and Demonstration (SDD) because it has passed Milestone B approval and is conducting engineering and manufacturing development tasks aimed at meeting validated requirements prior to full rate production.

Mission — Ground Based SDA source

Space Domain Awareness (SDA) is one of five core competencies of the Space Force and is the effective identification, characterization, and understanding of any factor, passive or active, associated with the space domain that could affect space operations and thereby impact the security, safety, economy, or environment of our nation. As the foundation for space control, SDA encompasses surveillance of all space objects and activities; detailed surveillance of specific space assets; monitoring space environmental conditions; monitoring cooperative space assets; gathering indications and warning on adversary space operations; and conducting integrated command, control, communications, processing, analysis, dissemination, and archiving activities. This program element develops, tests, upgrades and fields new SDA capabilities across the space surveillance network (SSN) while companion program element 1203940SF develops, fields, and operationalizes sensor networks and information integration capabilities. Activities funded in this program element (1206425SF) also support efforts such as engineering studies and analyses, architectural engineering studies, trade studies, technology needs forecasting, modernization initiatives, systems engineering, system development, and test & evaluation. Activities may include prototyping and technology demonstration(s). Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) is a ground-based, SDA radar system that detects, tracks, and maintains custody of deep space objects 24/7 in all weather and through the solar exclusion gap. DARC will augment the Space Surveillance Network as an additional sensor with increased capacity and capability for deep space object custody, providing full global coverage. DARC Site 1 was initially awarded as a Middle Tier Acquisition (MTA) Rapid Prototype. On 22 May 2024, the Service Acquisition Executive (SAE) approved successful completion of the DARC Site 1 prototype and transitioned the program to be a Major Capability Acquisition (MCA) to complete development and operationally field DARC Sites 1 (Australia), Site 2 (United Kingdom), and Site 3 (United States). The FY 2026 request for DARC includes $0 thousand discretionary funds and $281,861 thousand of mandatory (reconciliation) for a total of $281,861 thousand. The mandatory funds continue construction and integration of Site 1, and development of Site 2. Further information for this reconciliation request is provided in Section 20009 (INDOPACOM Capabilities) of the Reconciliation Exhibit. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver DARC weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 1206392SF and 1206398SF.

Mission — Space Based SDA source

Space Domain Awareness (SDA) is one of five core competencies of the Space Force and is the effective identification, characterization, and understanding of any factor, passive or active, associated with the space domain that could affect space operations and thereby impact the security, safety, economy, or environment of our nation. As the foundation for space control, SDA encompasses surveillance of all space objects and activities; detailed surveillance of specific space assets; monitoring space environmental conditions; monitoring cooperative space assets; gathering indications and warning on adversary space operations; and conducting integrated command, control, communications, processing, analysis, dissemination, and archiving activities. This Program Element develops, tests, upgrades and fields SDA capabilities across the Space Surveillance Network (SSN) while companion Program Element 1203940SF develops, fields, and operationalizes ground sensor networks and information integration capabilities. Activities funded in this Program Element (1206425SF) also support efforts such as engineering studies and analyses to include prototyping and technology demonstration(s), architectural engineering studies, trade studies, technology needs forecasting, modernization initiatives, systems engineering, system development, and test and evaluation. Space Based SDA will develop and deliver capabilities and prototypes to provide space object surveillance and reconnaissance from space. The United States Space Force (USSF) and National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) have partnered on the Space Based SDA program to meet overlapping requirements through the SILENTBARKER program. The program is also developing prototypes to deliver additional space surveillance capabilities to meet emerging threats. Space Based SDA enables timely detection and custody of on-orbit threats to protect U.S. High Value Assets in support of the National Defense Strategy. Space Based SDA requirements are based on both the Statement of Capabilities and the current 2022 SDA Initial Capabilities Document, which is focused on protecting High Value Assets. Surveillance from space augments and overcomes existing ground sensor limitations with timely 24-hour above-the-weather collection of satellite metric data. This data is communicated to operators at the Combined Space Operations Center (CSpOC), National Space Defense Center (NSDC), and other classified users. Further, this Program Element includes efforts related to Space Based SDA, its integration into the broader space superiority architecture, and analysis and experimentation to ensure space-based space surveillance capabilities are effective against the evolving threat. This Program Element also evaluates affordable Space Based SDA replenishment options to provide the system resiliency necessary to operate in the contested space domain via studies through technical analysis, risk reduction experiments, affordable prototyping, and partnership with Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). In addition, this Program Element leverages opportunities for space-based commercial, international partnerships, and hosted payloads to support the SDA mission. The FY 2026 request for Silentbarker includes $0 thousand discretionary and $163,854 thousand of mandatory (reconciliation) for a total of $163,854 thousand. The mandatory funds support ongoing baseline and expansion capabilities. Further information for this reconciliation request is provided in Section 20009 (INDOPACOM Capabilities) of the Reconciliation Exhibit. This Program Element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver Space Based SDA weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 1206392SF and 1206398SF. For Space Based SDA in PY 0.225M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in CY 0.225M is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this program element.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (4)