SpaceTime Series with Dr. Derek Tournear
07 December 2023
Dr. Derek Tournear, Director, Space Development Agency
On Space-Based Support for Terrestrial Warfare:
-We have two capabilities… in real time from space.
-Our Beyond line of sight capability… send that down directly to a shooter or an Interceptor to be able to take out that threat in near real time from space.
-We need to be able to have a capability to bring tranche two through launch and early operations test and check out before it’s operationally accepted.
-We moved quickly to start construction on that test and check out center.
On Technological Development and Proliferation in Low Earth Orbit:
-The commercial industry which we’re tailing off of is clearly starting to build up more and more proliferation in low earth orbit.
-That is the future of space in space capabilities is proliferation and low earth orbit.
-Proliferation of hundreds of satellites in low earth orbit… was not accepted [in 2019], but now we’re actually part of the mainstream.
On Spiral Development and Incremental Satellite Deployment:
-Spiral development… that’s the next spiral that we go after.
-Our spirals we call them tranches… right now we’re in tranche zero which are the satellites that we’ve launched this year.
-We went through the year… and that’s when we had our second launch to launch the remaining tranche 0 satellites.
On Adaptability to Technological Change and Evolving Threats:
-The specifics of those capabilities aren’t yet defined… because the threats change.
-We’ll snap the line on what the minimum viable product is for tranche… As well as adapt to the current threats.
On Real-World Implementation and Launch Successes:
-We launched 10 satellites… that provided Warfighter immersion.
-That built out $4 a total of four SpaceX tracking satellites on orbit nine York transport satellites on orbit and 10 Lockheed transport satellites on orbit.
On Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Considerations:
-That’s across the entire average to cross both York and Lockheed for the transport satellites.
-We’re targeting… the main price point where we’re targeting if you look at that.
On Innovative Communication Technologies and Tactical Advantages:
-Link 16 is a tactical radio that we use to communicate line of sight.
-Link 16 is ubiquitous. Also our allies use Link 16… we use it for command control.
On Spiral Development and Adaptability:
-In the spiral development approach, we recognize that was something that we needed to add.
-The spiral development model certainly can be used for deterrence type missions.
On Rapid Progress and Continuous Improvement:
-It’s a pretty exciting year when you look back at everything we’ve accomplished and will continue to push.
-We’re not going to slow down.
On the Shift in Department of Defense Perception and Industry Acceptance:
-The whole concept of needing a new acquisition agency… was not accepted, it was called a pet project.
-You can tell we are now part of the mainstream.
On Expansion and Proliferation of Space Capabilities:
-We will have 126 satellites that perform the link 16 mission…35 satellites that are performing the tracking mission.
-In tranche one, that will get filled out later and then additionally four satellites that will demonstrate fire control.
On Contracting and Partnership with Commercial Entities:
-We’ve awarded satellites to York Space Systems and Northrop Grumman.
-Lockheed Martin… they still are a newcomer, performing exceptionally well.
On Focus and Prioritization in Development:
-Focus is a superpower… we had to look at where there really works at that time were terrestrial support to the warfighter.
-We just stopped all work in that area and just focused on the terrestrial fight.