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Posted on 08/28/2018 7:44:42 PM PDT by BenLurkin
Most U.S. reconnaissance craft are purpose-built monoliths that operate in geostationary orbit, about 22,300 miles (35,800 kilometers) above Earth. Though these singletons are extremely capable, they're expensive, typically costing $1 billion or more to build, launch and operate. And it takes a decade or so to develop each one, said Paul "Rusty" Thomas, of the Tactical Technology Office at the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
The nation's current spy satellites, therefore, aren't terribly responsive to new technologies and new developments, and they represent "big, fat, juicy targets" to adversaries, Thomas said last week during a presentation with NASA's Future In-Space Operations (FISO) working group.
…
It's unclear at the moment which sensors will ride aboard the Blackjack satellites; program officials are currently evaluating payload and spacecraft-bus proposals, which were submitted before a June 6 deadline. Blackjack will award a total of $117.5 million to winning bidders in these areas, DARPA officials have said. (The program will also soon start soliciting proposals for other aspects of the program, such as software that will give the satellites high levels of autonomy...)
But we can make some informed guesses, based on what DARPA envisions the LEO constellation doing. For example, the new constellation will likely improve U.S. missile-warning and missile-defense capabilities and augment the current global positioning system navigation network, among other duties...
(Excerpt) Read more at space.com ...
21 prototypes spy satellites would have been nice.
“The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is developing a prototype line of cost-effective reconnaissance satellites that will set up shop in low Earth orbit, as part of a program called Blackjack.
Credit: DARPA”
I mean, take the computer power in an iPhone, add a few additional sensors and a telephoto lens, and some solar panels, and launch them by the thousands.
I've heard rumors that they've got a way to break the diffraction limit for telephoto optics, so that may not even be necessary any more.
The computer power in an iPhone today is like a mainframe of 20 years ago, and like a Cray of 30 years ago.
Wonder if they have the detonation sensors like the old Vela birds? I’m sure it’s something way improved now.
I like how the geosync birds were described as having staring sensors, too.
I guess it is now called:
The program is now called the Integrated Operational NuDet (Nuclear Detonation) Detection System (IONDS).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vela_(satellite)
And then we can wait for the next Democratic president/congress to sell the plans to China/Russia.
Or, Hillary can put them on her server located in the septic tank located right over McButface’s grave.
And then we can wait for the next Democratic president/congress to sell the plans to China/Russia.
Or, Hillary can put them on her server located in the septic tank located right over McButface’s grave.
And then we can wait for the next Democratic president/congress to sell the plans to China/Russia.
Or, Hillary can put them on her server located in the septic tank located right over McButface’s grave.
Google “cubesat”
“Better, Faster, Cheaper”. Pick two.
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