Byron McClain: Spacecom Mulls Concepts on Smaller Space Domain Awareness Satellites

Bryon McClain, the Space Systems Command’s program executive officer for space domain awareness and combat power, said Spacecom is considering concepts for smaller spacecraft to augment the satellite constellation under the U.S. Space Force’s Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program. 

The command’s solicitation for satellite ideas, issued in March, also specifies maneuverable spacecraft with different sensors and refueling capability while in orbit.

McClain told attendees of the C4ISRNET Conference on Wednesday that Spacecom is more inclined toward systems relying on commercially available capabilities rather than military technologies. According to the Spacecom PEO, the USSF’s shift to the new space domain awareness satellite architecture is expected only by around 2026 or 2027 because of funding constraints and existing mission demands, Defense News reported.

In August, the USSF announced plans to launch two satellites for the GSSAP constellation after decommissioning one spacecraft. In addition to its domain awareness function, the constellation also conducts rendezvous operations to provide data to other satellites.

In a separate effort, Spacecom is exploring ways to expand the USSF’s Global Positioning System constellation and has solicited industry inputs for launching pilot satellites quickly at low cost.