Space Situation Awareness Systems

Space Situation Awareness Systems (PE 1206425SF) is a critical program element within the Department of the Air Force's Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget, managed by the United States Space Force. Its goal is to advance Space Domain Awareness (SDA), which is one of the five core competencies of the Space Force. SDA involves the identification, characterization, and understanding of all factors passive or active within the space domain that could affect space operations and, by extension, national security, safety, and economic interests. The program develops, tests, upgrades, and fields new SDA capabilities across the Space Surveillance Network (SSN), supporting modernization, systems engineering, technology forecasting, and prototyping activities.

Ground Based SDA (Project 656565) focuses on the development and operationalization of the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC). DARC is a ground-based radar system designed to detect, track, and maintain custody of deep space objects 24/7, regardless of weather or solar exclusion gaps. The program's objectives include the completion and integration of three DARC sites located in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. These sites will provide full global coverage and augment the SSN with increased capacity for deep space object tracking. Key activities in FY 2025 and FY 2026 include construction, integration, software development, and operational testing, as well as coordination with international partners and U.S. agencies for site development and environmental compliance. Northrop Grumman serves as the Prime System Integrator, with contracts awarded through competitive and sole-source methods.

Space Based SDA (Project 65A006) is dedicated to developing and delivering space-based surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. The primary initiative under this project is the SILENTBARKER program, a partnership between the US Space Force and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). SILENTBARKER is executed in a phased acquisition approach, starting with the Baseline, followed by Expansion and SILENTBARKER-B increments. The program aims to provide timely detection and custody of on-orbit threats to protect U.S. high-value assets, particularly in geosynchronous orbit (GEO). It also supports technology enhancements, prototyping, hosted payloads (such as the Oculus initiative), and experimental missions in collaboration with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and Space Systems Command (SSC). These efforts address evolving threats and overcome limitations of ground-based sensors by enabling 24-hour, above-the-weather data collection.

Ground Based Optical Sensor (Project 65A037) encompasses upgrades to the Ground-based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance (GEODSS) system, collectively referred to as the Ground Based Optical Sensor System (GBOSS). The objective is to enhance GEODSS's ability to monitor small, closely-spaced, and advanced threats across all orbital regimes, including low, mid, high, and geostationary orbits. GBOSS delivers performance upgrades such as advanced data exploitation, rapid dissemination, and multi-spectral sensor technology. It also investigates the use of passive RF capabilities to augment optical data, collaborates with allied partners for coalition data sharing, and incorporates commercial data to extend global coverage. In FY 2026, the program will complete the fielding of the GBOSS upgrade at the Maui GEODSS site, supporting Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) objectives and mitigating sensor coverage gaps.

Each of these projects within Space Situation Awareness Systems is justified by the increasing complexity and congestion of the space domain, as well as the need to counter advanced threats from pacing competitors such as China and Russia. The programs are structured to rapidly respond to urgent operational needs, enhance system resiliency, and ensure timely, actionable SDA for decision-makers. Activities include engineering studies, trade analyses, technology demonstrations, and integration of commercial and international capabilities. The program also supports necessary civilian pay expenses for management and execution, supplementing other Space Force budget elements.

Funding for FY 2026 is primarily sourced from mandatory reconciliation funds, with discretionary funds allocated for specific activities. The budget supports ongoing construction and integration of DARC sites, continued development and expansion of SILENTBARKER, and completion of GBOSS upgrades. Adjustments in the budget reflect program completions, delays, and realignments to promote efficiency and transparency in execution. Acquisition strategies leverage competitive awards, sole-source contracts, and partnerships with commercial and international entities to accelerate capability delivery and minimize surveillance gaps.