AFRL's experimental CubeSat, called Recurve, uses artificial intelligence/machine learning to autonomously decide how to route data through large constellations of interlinked satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
The Aerospace study found that controlling the creation of dangerous space junk is a regulatory arena "where clarity is badly needed," for one.
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Detecting interference with Global Positioning System sat signals in conflict zones actually is "low hanging fruit," says Spire's Conor Brown. "We're picking them up accidentally with our weather satellites."
By deploying smallsats in LEO, operators and users can continually test, demonstrate, and create new procedures for offensive and defensive counter space while inserting new and emerging technology into mission architectures," Hypergiant CEO Ben Lamm says.
The independent FCC seemingly "wrote these proposed rules mostly (if not entirely) in a vacuum, potentially failing to ensure White House directions in Space Policy Directives 1-through-4 were fully accounted for," said one USG official with an eye on the debate.
Aerospace was able to build and test both sats within 16 months, and launch them after only 18 months -- a fraction of the average seven to eight years it traditionally has taken the service.
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"Let's not practice ASAT technology in Low Earth Orbit," says Rick Ambrose, Lockheed Martin's executive vice president for Space.
“Much of the excitement surrounding the ‘new space age’ is centered on recent innovations and growth seen in the commercial satellite industry,” said Tom Stoup, president of the Satellite Industry Association.
It was hard enough keeping the data flowing to the far mountains of Afghanistan, but at least the Taliban didn’t have the technology to attack the network. Russia and China, however, are investing heavily in capabilities to eavesdrop on or jam the radio transmissions and to blind or outright shoot down the satellites.