Requirements and Technological Needs for Military Space-borne Reconnaissance Systems

Abstract

Requirements For military space-borne reconnaissance systems two major requirements are minimized systems response time, which is the time span between the order of a needed image and an assessable image on ground, and minimized image age, which is the time span between image acquisition and assessable image on ground. To fulfil these requirements in an optimal way with reasonable image quality and cost, a constellation of small satellites is needed. Software For design, development and operations of such a multi satellite mission new software tools are necessary. The regarding developments within the Satellite-Systems-Engineering Group of DLR will be presented. Hardware Also new hardware technologies are needed to build up a cost effective satellite constellation. The possibility for multiple launches is a cost saver but requires small satellites and therefore, using a classical SAR-Sensor for image generation, deployable reflectors to get reasonable apertures in space. A proposal for such a new reflector technology will be presented. Risk analysis The more satellites we have in space the larger is the risk for the single space craft to be damaged or destroyed by natural, man-made or active threats in orbit. The possible threats will be shortly overviewed and potential counteractions described.