Space Security Index

e MDA Near-Field Infrared Experiment (NFIRE), designed to provide support to ballistic
missile defense, at one point was planning to employ a kill vehicle to encounter a ballistic
missile at close range, with a sensor to record the ndings. In 2005, MDA cancelled the
kill vehicle experiment after Congress expressed concerns about its applicability to ASAT
development, 97 prompting the kill vehicle to be replaced with a laser communications
payload. In 2006, the U.S. launched a pair of Micro-satellite Technology Experiment
(MiTEx) satellites into an unknown geostationary transfer orbit. e MiTEx satellites are
technology demonstrators for the Microsatellite Demonstration Science and Technology
Experiment Program (MiDSTEP) sponsored by DARPA, the USAF, and the U.S. Navy. A
major goal of the MiTEx demonstrations is to assess the potential of small satellites in GEO
for defense applications. 98 In January 2009, the Pentagon conrmed that the two MiTEx
microsatellites had maneuvered in close proximity to a failing satellite in GEO. 99 is
incident raised concerns that the ability to get in such close proximity to another satellite
could potentially be used for hostile actions. 100
An autonomous rendezvous capacity was also the objective of NASA’s Demonstration of
Autonomous Rendezvous Technology (DART) spacecraft, which relied on the Advanced
Video Guidance Sensor and GPS to locate its target. 101 e ASAT capability of maneuverable
microsatellites was demonstrated in 2005 when the DART craft unexpectedly collided with
the target satellite, and bumped it into a higher orbit. 102
Other U.S. programs developing a range of space-based, dual-use maneuvering, autonomous
approach, and docking capabilities include the DARPA/NASA Orbital Express program. In
2007 it demonstrated the feasibility of conducting automated satellite refueling and repair,
which could also be used to maneuver a space-based anti-satellite weapon. 103 DARPA and
the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) are also developing a space tug capable of physically
maneuvering another satellite in orbit under a program called Front-end Robotics
Enabling Near-Term Demonstration (FREND). It was “designed to allow interaction with
geosynchronous orbit-based military and commercial spacecraft, extending their service lives
and permitting satellite repositioning or retirement.” 104
e NRL has developed and ground-tested guidance and control algorithms to enable a
spacecraft-mounted robotic arm to autonomously grapple another satellite not designed for
docking. 105 As well, DARPA’s TICS program was intended to develop 10-lb satellites that
could be quickly air launched by ghter jets to form protective formations around larger
satellites to shield them from direct attacks. Using advanced robotic technologies, these
satellites could have potentially been used against non-cooperative satellites, but the program
was cancelled in the FY2009 budget. 106
On-orbit servicing is also a key research priority for several civil space programs and
supporting commercial companies. Germany is developing the Deutsche Orbitale Servicing
Mission, which “will focus on Guidance and Navigation, capturing of non-cooperative as
well as cooperative client satellites, performing orbital maneuvers with the coupled system
and the controlled de-orbiting of the two coupled satellites.” 107 Sweden has developed the
automated rendezvous and proximity operation PRISMA satellites, which were successfully
launched in June 2010 from Yasni, Russia. 108 e PRISMA satellite project demonstrates
technologies for autonomous formation ying, approach, rendezvous, and proximity
operations. 109 While there is no evidence to suggest that these programs are intended to
support space systems negation and Sweden has been quite transparent about the nature of
this project, such technologies could conceivably be modied for such an application.
Space Systems Negation
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