Dstl leads Space Situational Awareness experiment
A collaborative experiment being led by the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has the potential to lead to significant improvements in Space Situational Awareness (SSA).
The Phantom Echoes experiment is being carried out by Dstl and representatives from the Five-Eyes nations - the UK, the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Two satellites are due to rendezvous for the experiment in near-Geostationary Orbit this month: the Northrop Grumman Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV) that was launched into Geostationary Transfer Orbit at 36,000km altitude above Earth’s surface in October 2019, and a commercial communications satellite.
The MEV will dock with the commercial communications satellite approximately 300km above geostationary orbit and provide manoeuvre capability that extends the lifetime of the host.
The experiment aims to demonstrate how allied SSA sensors and processing capabilities can be integrated to enhance the performance over individual systems working independently to improve space safety for UK and allied satellites in and near Geostationary Orbit.
A combination of simulation and real-world events will be used to understand the strengths and constraints of each system that will advise the development of operational SSA architectures within the Coalition Space Operations initiative. The Phantom Echoes team will use this event to understand the challenges posed by the mission as the two satellite manoeuvre towards each other and perform docking operations.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
You may also like
More from Five Eyes Connectivity Special Report
-
![Australian CHORUS is on song]()
Australian CHORUS is on song
The Australian Department of Defence announced on 11 May that it is exploring ways to integrate laser-based optical and RF communication technologies onto a single …
-
![Tactical data link provider expects major new order this month]()
Tactical data link provider expects major new order this month
Looking to the future of the Multifunctional Informational Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS), BAE Systems expects an imminent new production contract and …
-
![Fire Scout set to gain Link 16]()
Fire Scout set to gain Link 16
Northrop Grumman is set to receive new contracts from the US Navy over the next two years to integrate Link 16 on the MQ-8C Fire …
-
![Australian Army to acquire EW attack capability]()
Australian Army to acquire EW attack capability
Procurement of a new Australian Army electronic attack capability is set to begin this year. Indeed, acquisition of a force-level EW system that includes an …
-
![U-2 Dragon Lady shows plenty of life]()
U-2 Dragon Lady shows plenty of life
A popular phrase in the US is ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’. In aviation, one could think of the DC-3 and the 747, …
-
![Light shines on Five Eyes SIGINT collection mechanisms]()
Light shines on Five Eyes SIGINT collection mechanisms
Although the mechanisms by which the ‘Five Eyes’ partners share their intelligence have been shrouded in secrecy for some years, revelations in recent years have …
