(U) Space Effects on Satellite Systems

(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).)

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. 

(U)  This sub-thrust's goal is to understand and specify the environmental effects on military systems, mitigate the detrimental effects of the environment, and exploit the properties of the environment for system operation. Because the environment adversely impacts many Air Force systems, Geophysics technology, when applied early in system design, will lead to more affordable, supportable, and reliable systems. The consequences of overlooking adverse environmental interactions early in the development cycle have proved severe. It is cheaper to identify and eliminate adverse effects early than to redesign later.

Description: (U)
(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.

User Impact: (U)
(U) None.

Programmatics: (U)
(U) Concept/Technology.
	(U) IOC: 02/1996 (2QFY1996).

Related Initiatives: (U)
(U) None.

Related Requirements: (U)
(U) None.

Related Categories: (U)
(U) Battlespace Comms & Ops

Road Map Placements: (U)
(U) TECHNOLOGY- RDT&E.

Lead Office: (U)
(U) Air Force.

Date of Information: (U)
16 July 1997

(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).)