Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command (SMDC/ARSTRAT) this week took delivery of eight four-kilogram satellites at Redstone Arsenal, Ala., for a technology demonstration to examine improved warfighter capabilities from space.
The first SMDC-ONE nanosatellite will be placed into orbit in this year and the remaining seven at a later date.
Each of these nanosatellites can be placed into a Low Earth Orbit to receive data files from a ground command and control center.
The nanosats were designed, developed and delivered by Ducommun [DCO] subsidiary Miltec. The delivery marks the completion of the first Army satellite development program since the Courier 1B communications satellite in 1960, Ducommun said in an April 28 statement.
The ground station for the first SMDC-ONE demonstration will be at Redstone. The primary objective will be to receive data from a ground transmitter and relay that data to a ground station.
The intent of the technology demonstration is to build a number of identical satellites and deploy them together into Low Earth Orbit to simulate enhanced tactical communications capability and evaluate nanosat performance.
To better meet warfighter mission needs, SMDC/ARSTRAT is considering upgrades for future nanosatellites to include on-board GPS capability for greater on-board autonomy, addition of a S-band communications link for increased data transmission, inclusion of a software-defined radio for greater transceiver frequency flexibility, and modification of the radio to increase the room for payloads.
To achieve enhanced capabilities for the warfighter from space, an approach that holds great promise is the deployment of constellations of nanosat-class satellites into Low Earth Orbit, SMDC/ARSTRAT said in a statement.
Because the unit cost for a nanosat is lower–typically less than $1 million–large numbers for each specific mission could be built and deployed. What a nanosat may lack in performance and reliability when compared on a per-unit basis to a large traditional military satellite, it makes up by its low cost and potential for a persistent presence over given theaters of operation through constellation proliferation, the command said.
A nanosat constellation of inexpensive spacecraft could be useful in humanitarian support, stability and support operations and nation building. If some satellites are lost, they could be rapidly reconstituted. Nanosats can provide coverage across specific regions, as well as globally. The use of nanosats in such a fashion would enable UAV-like performance for communication from spaceborne assets that can provide data directly into theaters of operation.
The SMDC-ONE program is managed by the SMDC/ARSTRAT Technical Center, Space Division.