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Caption: A U.S. Army soldier erects a tactical satellite communications terminal antenna
Citation: U.S. Army photo taken by Spc. Eric E. Hughes

Title: U.S./MIL – Tactical Space

*this will be the first of a two part series on the implications of the emerging use of microsatellites

Teaser

A small and cheap U.S. Army program is emblematic of an emerging trend in the way the Pentagon exploits space.

Summary

Though challenges still remain, a small and cheap U.S. Army program could be a forerunner of a new era of military exploitation of space. It is emblematic of an emerging trend with broad implications for both the scope and scale of the Pentagon's assets in space.

Analysis

Space has always been a phenomenally expensive place to operate: it took years and extensive national efforts on the part of the Soviet Union and the United States to put men and material into orbit. Underlying this was the need operate effectively in a set of harsh environments – from launch to outer space. Even today, only six countries and a conglomeration of European states have the capability to launch a payload into orbit. Because they were so expensive, the first space-based platforms were put in place to support national strategic needs.

Of course, U.S. military commanders on the ground have been benefiting from these capabilities for decades. For more than thirty years, under the Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities program, the Pentagon has worked to push the benefits of those strategic systems' capabilities as far down the chain to tactical operations as possible. The challenge has always been timing – getting the intelligence or imagery provided by a satellite to the right tactical commander within an actionable period of time – and availability.

But instead of leveraging a satellite or constellation of satellites designed for strategic purposes – assuming they could be retasked – to fulfill a tactical or operational need, the Army may soon begin putting its own satellites into orbit – cheap and tailored to its own needs, and is emblematic of a profound emerging shift in the military exploitation of space.

This is, of course, not to say that the days of the <www.stratfor.com/analysis/united_states_managing_broken_satellites_descent $1 billion National Reconnaissance Office satellite> are over. Endeavors like space-based radar and next-generation communication satellites will likely prove to be expensive, power-hungry beasts.

But technology – especially miniaturization – means that far more basic electro-optical and infrared imaging and communications relaying can be done by something far smaller and cheaper. While this has been an attractive idea for some time, the technical hurdles have remained to high for operational realization. But recent successes like NASA's GeneSat are beginning to show that basic functionality for a year or so can indeed be achieved.

https://clearspace.stratfor.com/servlet/JiveServlet/download/2327-1-156934/TacSat-1.jpg;jsessionid=3567E72D6EF08697AEBFB6B09B72F544

Meanwhile the appetite for things like bandwidth and timely imagery from lower and lower levels within the military have also begun to rise, with demand far outpacing the military's ability to provide it. Experiments by the military's Research Labs has already begun with a series of 'TacSats.' TacSat-1, for instance, is on the order of 100 lbs and capable of carrying several different mission-specific payloads. The ultimate goal is a series of responsive systems that can be surged into orbit on short notice.

The Army's initial program would reportedly involve even smaller satellites – on the order of five pounds – with eight in orbit in less than a year. The initial purpose would be to provide satellite communications to areas where the Pentagon currently relies on commercial platforms.

This particular endeavor is of no great geopolitical significance, and success is hardly assured. But the implications of its potential success could be great: if the Army succeeds is providing for itself in terms of a niche need for space-based assets – and does so for $5 million in less than a year – it could be just the proof of concept that heralds a new revolution in the way tactical formations utilize space, and at the same time begin a shift towards a more survivable era of space-based systems.

Related Analyses:

http://www.stratfor.com/geopolitical_diary_maintaining_u_s_space_dominance

http://www.stratfor.com/analysis/united_states_weaponization_space

http://www.stratfor.com/analysis/u_s_implications_satellite_intercept

http://www.stratfor.com/u_s_real_reason_behind_ballistic_missile_defense

Related Pages:

http://www.stratfor.com/theme/u_s_military_dominance

http://www.stratfor.com/theme/ballistic_missile_defense