EWS Overview 20240507.pdf
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- Solicitation number
- FA8810-24-RFI-SNS(SBEM)
- Issued by
-
Department of the Air Force
About this file
This document is a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the Space Systems Command (SSC) Weather Systems Branch to seek industry feedback on Space-based Environmental Monitoring (SBEM) capabilities. The RFI provides background on the SBEM Family of Systems (FoS) architecture, near-term coverage challenges, and ongoing efforts to address two key gaps: cloud characterization and theater weather imagery.
The RFI requests information on applicable SBEM technologies, system development and testing, scalability and customization, integration and compatibility, and associated costs. Respondents are asked to provide a 7-page white paper by May 29, 2024. While this RFI does not constitute a solicitation, it is part of SSC's broader efforts to develop and implement cutting-edge SBEM technologies through partnerships with industry, including small businesses via the SpaceWERX SBIR/STTR program. The RFI emphasizes the government's interest in exploring innovative solutions to address critical SBEM capability gaps.
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Space-based Environmental Monitoring (SBEM) Industry Day
Theodore Yun
Deputy Program Manager
EO/IR Weather Systems Branch (SSC/SNSE)
Electro-Optical/Infrared Weather Systems (EWS) Overview
7 May 2024
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: distribution unlimited.
SBEM Family of Systems (FoS) Architecture
• Group of civil/international partnership to form global terrestrial coverage for weather operations, w/ assured data access to member nations
• Current SBEM FoS comprises of 5 + 3 architecture (5 GEOs & 3-ball LEO) from DoD, NOAA, EUMETSAT & JMA; US orbital coverage codified in National Space Policy of 2010
− FoS construct provides EO/IR data refresh every 15 min average in GEO belt; better than 4 hrs in high latitudes
− DoD EO/IR data refresh at 1 hr as best balance
LEO GEO
• Current DoD assets past/near design life
‒ DMSP-17 & 18 launched in 2006 & 2009 w/ 3 yr design life
‒ EWS-G2 projected EoL Sep 2030
• Loss of either of these platforms to delay global data refresh threshold below DoD’s acceptable minimum
‒ High latitudes
‒ CENTCOM & INDOPACOM AoRs
Near-Term EO/IR Coverage Challenges
Current LEO Space-based Assets Projected LEO Weather Assets
Worst-Case Revisit Time in Absence of EWS-G
Current DoD EO/IR SBEM Solutions
SBEM Category A Gaps
#1: Cloud Characterization #2: Theater Weather Imagery
OSS 12U Cuebesat Technology Demonstration Prototype 1 Satellite/Payload
GA Operations Demonstration Prototype 1 Satellite/Payload
EWS-Geostationary (EWS-G) Formerly GOES-15
PIANO Technology Demonstration Prototype
EO/IR Weather System (EWS) Overview
• Multi-phase acquisition to replace aging DMSP EO/IR capability due to end of life in 2026
• Meets 2 highest-priority joint warfighting space weather needs:
‒ Gap 1 (cloud characterization) and Gap 2 (theater weather imagery)
• Acquisition Master List exempt technology projects aimed at exploring relevant technologies and accelerated prototype developments
‒ Smaller, more affordable, proliferated EO/IR sensor capability
‒ Delivers residual operational capabilities
‒ Informs future operational system development acquisition strategy
Program Status
• Orion cubesat tech demo prototype launched 4 Mar 2024 currently in system checkout
• GA smallsat ops demo prototype completed design reviews; EO/IR sensor starting environmental tests
EWS Geostationary (EWS-G) Overview
• Non-materiel solution to meet SBEM Gap 1 and 2 for EO/IR imaging in partnership w/ NOAA
‒ Mitigates loss of allied GEO EO/IR coverage over Indian Ocean region
‒ Repurposed NOAA GOES satellites to support DoD needs over Indian Ocean
‒ Dedicated 16.4m and 13m antennas + baseband at Dongara, AUS
‒ Observe and deliver timely cloud characterization and theater weather imagery data to the weather community and warfighters
• Interagency agreement with NOAA for Satellite operations and sustainment
• Interagency agreement with NASA for Remote Ground Station
Program Status
• Completed transfer of NOAA’s GOES-
15 to USSF as EWS-G2 in Nov 2023
• Previous EWS-G1 (GOES-13) in decommissioning process
Phenomenology Imager & Nighttime Observer (PIANO) Overview
Chiclayo, Peru
• Aerospace-developed technology demonstration project for next gen EO/IR low-light imaging sensor utilizing Earth’s airglow emanations as illumination source
• Augment SBEM Gap 2 Theater Weather Imagery needs w/ less reliance on moonlights at night
• Operational prototype; follow-on to NIRAC
Program Status
• Successful STP-H7 launch via SpX-24 to International Space Station on 21
Dec 21
• Continuing on-orbit technology demonstrations onboard ISSMoon down (@13%, but 23 degrees below horizon, so no illumination) – only airglow
• EWS focused on meeting top two priority SBEM Gaps as codified in JROCM 092-14
• Active prototyping effort underway; successful Orion cubesat launch for technology demonstration on-orbit & GA smallsat prototype development progressing for FY25 launch
• Aims to replace aging legacy systems on-orbit before they meet their mission end of life
• Continue to provide global 24/7 EO/IR terrestrial meteorological coverage to support joint warfighter operations within allotted time
• Maintaining current civil/international partnership for SBEM FoS architecture
• Pursuit of new and emerging technologies relevant to fielding new generation of EO/IR weather assets
• Ongoing exploration of new and innovative industrial capabilities that can contribute towards meeting SBEM Gaps #1 and 2 requirements
• Space and ground infrastructure transition from Gov’t-owned to commercial industrial base
Summary/Questions
| Slide 1: Space-based Environmental Monitoring (SBEM) Industry Day |
| Slide 2: SBEM Family of Systems (FoS) Architecture |
| Slide 3: Near-Term EO/IR Coverage Challenges |
| Slide 4 |
| Slide 5: EO/IR Weather System (EWS) Overview |
| Slide 6: EWS Geostationary (EWS-G) Overview |
| Slide 7: Phenomenology Imager & Nighttime Observer (PIANO) Overview |
| Slide 8: Summary/Questions |
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