The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).
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(U) Bi-static Geosynchronous/Medium Earth Orbit (GEO/MEO) Space-Based Radar (SBR)

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-Requirements
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Overview (U):

(U) The Bi-static Geosynchronous/Medium Earth Orbit (GEO/MEO) Space-Based Radar concept has been developed by ESC. The proposed system consists of three to four radar transmitter satellites at geosynchronous orbit, combined with 24-36 receiver satellites at MEO. The theoretical coverage and control methods would be similar to those for a monostatic system. However, due to the "fixed" locations of the GEO transmitters, the size of the antennas, and the revisit rates required, one transmit satellite would be dedicated to each theater of operation. Orbital positions would be adjusted if necessary to provide appropriate instantaneous fields of regard. The use of bi-statics requires fewer transmitters than the mono-static constellations, and would also allow for a lighter fleet of receiver satellites at MEO. However, the bi-static approach would also result in a significant increase in signal processing to match filter the target return signals received at the MEO satellites, and polar coverage is not possible. Thus the tradeoff between mono- and bi-static concepts is weight vs. signal processing power and flexibility.

Description (U):

(U) A Bi-static GEO Space-Based Radar would include a constellation of 3-4 GEO transmitters equipped with an L-band radar for airborne warning and control missions which would require a 100 m dish that would weigh 30,000 lbs and require 20+ kw of power. A Joint STARS-like radar in geosynchronous orbit would function in the S-band and would require a 25 m dish which would weigh 6,000 lbs and require 2 kw+ of power.

(U) The MEO receivers would include a constellation of 24-36 receivers at an altitude of 1600 km. For AWACS-like missions, the MEO satellites would require a 35 x 35 m array weighing 10,000 lbs. A Joint-STARS-like mission would require a 10 x 10 m receive array that would weigh 4,000 lbs.

User Impact (U):

(U) None.

Programmatics (U):

(U) Concept/Technology.

(U) Organizations and Funding:

Images (U):

(U) None.

Related Initiatives (U):
NameTitle
BI-STATIC GEO/UAV SBRBi-static Geosynchronous/Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (GEO/UAV) Space-Based Radar (SBR)
Future Space-Based RadarFuture Space Based Radar (SBR)
MONO-STATIC SBRMono-static Space Based Radar (SBR)
This Table Is Unclassified.

Related Requirements (U): None.

Related Categories (U):
NameTitle
SBRSpace-Based Radar (SBR)
This Table Is Unclassified.

Road Map Placements (U):

NameTitle
SURVEILLANCE AND WARNINGSPACE FORCE ENHANCEMENT: SURVEILLANCE AND WARNING
This Table Is Unclassified.

Requirements, Funding and Additional Hotlinks (U):

(U) None.

Lead Office (U):

Air Force.

Point of Contact (U):

(U) National Security Space Road Map Team, NSSA, Open Phone: (703) 808-6040, DSN 898-6040.

Date Of Information (U):

(U) 21 November 1997


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(U) For comments/suggestions contact: Office of the National Security Space Architect (NSSA), 571-432-1300.

(U) Road Map Production Date: 23 June 2001

The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).