Intra-Satellite Communications

Objective: Develop a hardware capability that communicates rapidly between any commercial satellites to reduce latency of data transmission to track open ocean targets. Description: The current model for commercial satellite communication involves each satellite independently communicating directly with ground stations or geostationary relay satellites. This architecture presents a significant challenge for tracking mobile targets, especially across wide areas. Because satellites do not communicate directly with each other, a target moving out of the field of view (FOV) of one satellite requires a time-consuming handoff process involving ground stations. This process introduces latency and inefficiencies, especially when trying to coordinate tracking across multiple satellites, whether from the same constellation or different vendors. The use of existing commercial satellite infrastructure could provide the capability to mitigate these latencies and inefficiencies without the substantial cost of developing and deploying a dedicated military satellite network. The Navy seeks a hardware solution to be installed on Government satellites that enables inter-satellite communication (ISC) within commercial satellite constellations. No existing commercial capability can accomplish this requirement. This proposed capability will allow satellites to directly share tracking data and other information and significantly improve the tracking of open ocean targets. The solution must meet the following parameters: Use Seamless Target Handoff to enable real-time communication between satellites, allowing for seamless tracking of objects as they move across the coverage areas of different satellites, eliminating the need for ground station intervention. Use enhanced Tracking Accuracy and Persistence to direct communication between satellites. Enable faster and more accurate correlation of target data from multiple viewpoints compared to the current time it takes to establish these same parameters. Improve tracking accuracy, particularly for maneuvering targets. Ensure persistent tracking even in challenging environments. Establish an inter-satellite linked network that creates a dynamic and responsive network that adapts to changing operational needs. Enable satellites to quickly share information about new targets or changes in target behavior, enhancing overall situational awareness. Allow direct communication between satellites to reduce the time currently required to transmit critical tracking data to decision-makers. Measure the data transfer latency between satellites under various network load and orbital configurations, as compared to latency experienced with traditional ground-relay communication systems. Evaluate the data throughput capacity of the inter-satellite links and provide a determination of the maximum data rate that can be reliably sustained between satellites. Assess the stability and reliability of the inter-satellite links under operational conditions for distances between satellites and atmospheric interference. Test the effectiveness of routing data efficiently between satellites and route the data according to the most efficient routing protocol to achieve the most efficient routing between satellites, thus managing network congestion. Improve target tracking accuracy achieved by using ISC compared to the accuracy using traditional methods with improved accuracy over the traditional methods. (Note: A baseline of traditional methods will be established to measure against an improvement provided by the solution, which must include the ability to measure the latency and message fidelity efficiency and seamlessness of target handoff between satellites including any associated loss of tracking data.) Provide for assessing the coverage area of interest (AOI) footprint within the satellite pass and provide a determination of the ability of the network to maintain continuous tracking of targets moving across large areas. Capable of simultaneously tracking multiple targets in accordance with the Commander’s intent, including targets with varying speeds and trajectories. Work produced in Phase II may become classified. Note: The prospective contractor(s) must be U.S. owned and operated with no foreign influence as defined by 32 U.S.C. § 2004.20 et seq., National Industrial Security Program Executive Agent and Operating Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures can and have been implemented and approved by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) formerly Defense Security Service (DSS). The selected contractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances. This will allow contractor personnel to perform on advanced phases of this project as set forth by DCSA and NAVSEA in order to gain access to classified information pertaining to the national defense of the United States and its allies; this will be an inherent requirement. The selected company will be required to safeguard classified material during the advanced phases of this contract IAW the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), which can be found at Title 32, Part 2004.20 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Keywords: Data transfer latency; inter-satellite links; Tracking Accuracy and Persistence; geostationary relay satellites; data throughput capacity; target tracking accuracy; inter-satellite communications; ISC; intra-satellite communication CMMC Level: Level 2 (Self)