By: Benjamin S. Lambeth
The author assesses the military space challenges that face the Air Force and the nation in light of the findings and recommendations of the congressionally mandated Space Commission, released in January 2001. After reviewing the main milestones in the Air Force's involvement in space since its creation as an independent service in 1947, he examines the circumstances that occasioned the Space Commission's creation, as well as the conceptual and organizational roadblocks that have impeded a more rapid growth of U.S. military space capability. He concludes that the Air Force faces five basic challenges with respect to space: continuing the operational integration of space with the three terrestrial warfighting mediums while ensuring the organizational differentiation of space from Air Force air; effectively wielding its newly granted military space executive-agent status; realizing a transparent DoD-wide budget category for space; showing progress toward fielding a meaningful space control capability while decoupling that progress from any perceived taint of force-application involvement; and making further progress toward developing and nurturing a cadre of skilled space professionals within the Air Force. (Published 2003)
By: Obaid Younossi, Mark A. Lorell, Kevin Brancato, Cynthia R. Cook, Mel Eisman, Bernard Fox, John C. Graser, Yool Kim, Robert S. Leonard, Shari Lawrence Pfleeger, Jerry M. Sollinger
Why have the costs of acquiring space systems been so high? What are the sources of the problems? To answer these questions, RAND researchers examined the sources of cost growth of Air Force space systems and undertook an extensive study of two space systems — the Space Based Infrared System–High (SBIRS) and the Global Positioning System (GPS) — including an evaluation of their sources of cost growth, an assessment of their approaches to technical risk assessment, and an examination of their acquisition policy adaptations and industrial base environments. The researchers recommend independent program assessment for space systems that emphasizes technical and program factors, and a modified organizational structure that maintains cost analyst independence. They also summarize the cost estimating best practices of several other government organizations (Published 2008)
By: Robert W. Buchheim
The Space Handbook, first published in 1958, was designed to serve as a basic guide on the uses and characteristics of space systems, including astronautics and its applications, technology in the space environment, rocket vehicles, propulsion systems, propellants, internal power sources, structures and materials, flight path and orientation control, guidance, communication, observation and tracking, and atmospheric flight. Written at the request of the Hon. John W. McCormack, chairman of the House Select Committee on Astronautics and Space Exploration, it was produced in only three weeks using RAND’s own funds in the public interest. Now, fifty years after its initial publication, and to celebrate RAND’s 60th Anniversary, RAND is proud to bring this classic work back into print in paperback and digital. (Published 2007)
Sustaining Air Force Space Systems
By: Don Snyder, Patrick Mills, Katherine Comanor, Charles Robert Roll, Jr.
Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) needs quantitative tools to assist it in making decisions on how changes in the dollars invested in maintenance and sustainment of the ground segment of space systems affect the operational performance of those systems. This monograph outlines criteria for analyzing how sustainment investments affect the operational performance of space systems, focusing on the Global Positioning System. We offer a framework for such analyses and recommend steps to implement that framework.
We describe the Global Positioning System at a level of detail needed for the analysis; discuss how to approach modeling the relationships between sustainment activities and overall system performance, and describe a pilot model for such analysis; and we examine the results of this model and how they might be used in policy analysis, and discuss the implications for developing such models in GPS and other programs. We selected a metric of performance that reflects the overall system performance, and not one that focuses on the performance of a specific subsystem. (Published 2007)
By: Forrest McCartney, Peter A. Wilson, Lyle Bien, Thor Hogan, Leslie Lewis, Chet Whitehair, Delma Freeman, T. K. Mattingly, Robert Larned, David S. Ortiz, William A. Williams, Charles J. Bushman, Jimmey Morrell
In 1994, the National Space Transportation Policy laid the framework for appropriate government agencies to maintain strong launch systems and infrastructure while modernizing space transportation capabilities and encouraging cost reductions. More than a decade later, through combined Department of Defense (DoD) and industrial investment, the two Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) families of U.S. rockets (Atlas V and Delta IV) have proved to be maturing, reliable state-of-the-art technologies. In 2004, Congress directed the Secretary of Defense to establish a panel of experts with extensive space launch and operations background to address the future National Security Space launch requirements and the means of meeting those requirements. DoD selected RAND to facilitate and support this panel in its deliberations between May 2005 and May 2006. This report analyzes the National Security Space Launch Requirements Panel’s major findings and recommendations. In short, the Panel concludes that, because basic rocketry principles, use of chemically derived thrust, and multiple expendable stages seem certain to remain the design of choice for operational space launch vehicles, the EELV can satisfy all known and projected NSS requirements through 2020. (Published 2006)
By: George A. Hoffman
A discussion of the spectrum of thermal environments and functional requirements for materials used in space vehicles. A desire by designers to operate materials at the highest permissible temperature and the necessity to minimize the structural weight are two major criteria considered. Future possibilities in materials are investigated: For maximum temperatures the metals, carbon, and carbides are studied, while for minimum-weight requirements fibered materials for tension elements, and beryllium for buckling components, are discussed. Improvements in performance of space-flight vehicles are listed, and topics for research in each material area are presented.
By: Robert Preston, Dana J. Johnson, Sean J. A. Edwards, Michael D. Miller, Calvin Shipbaugh
This overview aims to inform the public discussion of space-based weapons by examining their characteristics, potential attributes, limitations, legality, and utility. The authors do not argue for or against space weapons, nor do they estimate the potential costs and performance of specific programs, but instead sort through the realities and myths surrounding space weapons in order to ensure that debates and discussions are based on fact. (Published 2002)
A Starting Point for Understanding Space in the New Millennium
By: Steven Carey
This executive guide by an Air Force fighter pilot introduces fundamental concepts that underlie the U.S. national space debate and poses questions about what space holds for the military.
By: Elham Ghashghai
The focus of the study is on combat systems operating at medium and low altitudes, which pose challenges different from intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms operating at high altitude. Medium- and low-altitude platforms are closer to jammers and signals intelligence receivers, so an adversary might more readily intercept or jam signals. The platforms' low observability can be compromised if they transmit large amounts of data, increasing their chance of detection. After discussing data requirements and threats and examining the current communications programs and shortfalls, the analysis finds that there is no one solution for all situations and platforms. A combination of options will be needed to ensure a reliable and robust communications link. These options will vary depending on altitude, range, data rate, and threat. Although communications does not appear to be a limiting factor for future ISR forces, programmatic action will be required to develop the necessary systems and the costs could be high. (Published2004)
An Initial Look
By: Rosalind Lewis, Michael Kennedy, Elham Ghashghai, Gordon Bitko
The European Union plans to have its positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) system, Galileo, in initial operation in 2008. As envisioned, Galileo will function and perform similarly to the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS), the preeminent PNT system now in existence. Policy leaders and technical experts have been attempting to find cooperative ways to provide users with the benefits of both systems in the future, but there is concern about the kinds of effects the existence of this new system may have on U.S. economic and security interests. The authors concentrate on the economic impact of competition and cooperation that could result from the implementation and operation of Galileo in the presence of GPS. The competitive environment is defined in terms of system interoperability and/or compatibility, strategies that could be used to foster Galileo adoption, and schedules for GPS modernization and Galileo development. The cooperative environment is characterized as variation on the competitive environment. Information for the study was gathered through literature reviews, discussions with domain experts, and industry surveys. Recommendations for the United States to consider now in anticipation of Galileo becoming a reality are offered. (Published 2005)
By: Michael Mattock
The Department of Defense (DoD) cannot afford to own all the satellite communications capacity it might need in all areas of the world. DoD planners estimate that they will need to provide about 16 Gigabits per second of bandwidth by 2010 to effectively support a joint-service operation. However, given current procurement plans, the DoD will own only one-eighth of this projected desired capacity. Therefore, for the foreseeable future, the DoD will need to buy at least some of its communications capacity from commercial vendors. An ability to understand what drives growth in worldwide satellite capacity and to predict capacity would be useful to military communications planners in making decisions in advance to purchase and lease communications capacity in various parts of the world. The author shows that there is a strong relationship between growth in total satellite communications capacity and economic growth, as measured by Gross Domestic Product. Adjustment to change is quite rapid; if there is an imbalance in the long-run equilibrium between supply and demand, on average 25 percent of the adjustment is made within one year, although there is some regional variation. The analysis indicates that the market can adjust swiftly to a surge in demand, and thus there may be little need to buy satellite capacity in advance simply to ensure that capacity will be there if needed. (Published 2002)
By: Robert Preston, Dana J. Johnson, Sean J. A. Edwards, Michael D. Miller, Calvin Shipbaugh
This overview aims to inform the public discussion of space-based weapons by examining their characteristics, potential attributes, limitations, legality, and utility. The authors do not argue for or against space weapons, nor do they estimate the potential costs and performance of specific programs, but instead sort through the realities and myths surrounding space weapons in order to ensure that debates and discussions are based on fact. (Published 2002)
No comments:
Post a Comment