-Description |
Overview (U):(U) Geophysics technology advances Air Force war fighting capabilities by providing technology to define, understand, and control interactions between systems and their environment. These advances are accomplished through environmental programs in the atmospheric and space environmental sciences.
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(U) This sub-thrust:
1. (U) Defines, models, and predicts the solar and space environment for AF and DOD operations throughout the world.
2. (U) Establishes a space forecast capability and develops operational sensors for the measurement of space weather.
3. (U) Advances technology in the area of space system environment interactions and accelerates the insertion of new technologies into AF satellite systems through space tests of prototype systems.
4. (U) Develops techniques to mitigate environmentally-induced degradation of space systems.
5. (U) Supports the AF global responsibility for surveillance and communication.
6. (U) Transmits solar/space environment models and codes to the DOD users through the 50WS.
(U) With over 200 U.S. satellites in orbit worth some $100 billion, it is imperative to avoid environmental hazards. Subthrust goals are: (1) to characterize and monitor the dynamic behavior of the near Earth, interplanetary and solar environments; and (2) to develop techniques to warn of the threats these environments pose as well as alleviate, mitigate or exploit them. Solar/space weather is fairly benign for a quiet sun. However, solar activity can cause major disturbances of the upper atmosphere, which includes the ionosphere and magnetosphere. Solar ejecta, often with associated shock waves, generate geomagnetic storms if their trajectory intercepts the Earth. Satellites may experience electronic anomalies due to single event upsets (SEUs) and charge buildup on electronics, causing effects up to, and including, loss of the satellite.
(U) None.
(U) Concept/Technology.
(U) None.
Name | Title |
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Battlespace Comms & Ops | Battlespace Communications and Operations |
Name | Title |
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TECHNOLOGY- RDT&E | SPACE TECHNOLOGY |
(U) None.
Air Force.
(U) National Security Space Road Map Team, NSSA, Open Phone: (703) 808-6040, DSN 898-6040.
(U) 16 July 1997
(U) Road Map Production Date: 23 June 2001