Advanced Defense Research Projects Agency (DARPA) asked the space industry to propose ideas for rapidly restoring critical space capabilities in the event of withdrawal or destruction of satellites during conflict.
12 June DARPA published a request for information "Rapid Reconstitution of Space Capabilities" (Rapid restoration of space capabilities) with the deadline for submission of proposals to 8 July.
The agency is looking for technical concepts and operational solutions, which will allow to restore key satellite capabilities (communication, intelligence, navigation, missile launch warning) за терміни від кількох годин до кількох тижнів після ураження протисупутниковою зброєю, кібератаками, орбітальним сміттям чи іншими загрозами.
The initiative reflects the Pentagon's growing concern about the vulnerability of the US space infrastructure due to the development of counterspace assets by China and Russia. Among the already available programs: TacRS (Tactically responsive space) US Space Force; Victus Nox mission (2023), which launched a satellite for 27 hours after the order; CASR is the Commercial Space Supplement Reserve.
DARPA seeks broader solutions, than just changing satellites. The agency is interested in ideas about: modular and software-defined satellites; plug-and-play components ("plug and play" are the elements, which are ready to use immediately after connection, without the need for complicated manual setup, installing drivers or programming); rapid production and assembly; orbital assembly of devices; multifunctional systems; distributed sensor networks; alternative navigation systems; solutions for very low Earth orbit. Special attention is paid to overcoming the limitations of launch infrastructure and supply chains.
Source: https://spacenews.com