TECHNICAL POINT OF CONTACT (TPOC)
Cheyenne Wall
Megan Bright
Denise Lee
PROJECTED CMMC LEVEL REQUIREMENT
Level 2 (Self)
TECHNOLOGY AREAS
Space Platforms
MODERNIZATION PRIORITIES
Space Technology
KEYWORDS
Multi-phenomenology sensing, spacepower, deterrence, indications & warning, object tracking, real-time data processing, novel sensor design, data dissemination, space domain, information exploitation, space domain awareness, space operational environment assessment; space operational environment
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this Phase I effort is to develop methods, including integration of intelligence information, predictive analytics, anomaly detection, threat prediction and environmental monitoring for timely space domain awareness, threat detection and operational environment assessment to support multi-domain operations. Traditional sensing alone cannot track or characterize emergent non-standard threats and current research neglects space-centric operational environment monitoring. To address these gaps, the U.S. Space Force (USSF) seeks novel sensing phenomenologies paired with real-time multi-INT data processing, predictive analytics, and anomaly detection concepts that demonstrate how new sensing and processing techniques can present a comprehensive space operating picture.
ITAR
The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with section 3.5 of the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.
DESCRIPTION
With the acknowledgement of space as a warfighting domain in 2019, the U.S. Space Command was established as a geographic combatant command. No orbital regime is entirely safe from intentional or unintentional threats. Adversary forces can track and target U.S. forces in all warfighting domains. The past two decades have witnessed rapidly maturing space based and counterspace capabilities of U.S. adversaries, as well as their attempts to interfere with U.S. military operations. U.S. operational space activities perform a continuous cycle of situational awareness, planning, execution, and assessment to support leadership TMs decision-making process at all levels of command.
Space Domain Operational Environment Assessment is a prerequisite to achieving space superiority by
(a) understanding the situation in space, and (b) gaining insight into space-related activities in other domains. Even in peacetime, awareness and mission assessment in the space domain is difficult to maintain due to the scope and distances involved. Achieving timely awareness and assessment of space activities to support space superiority operations is a monumental, highly technical challenge that is only growing. The past 20 years has seen the number of objects in orbit grow from approximately 10,000 to over 50,000. As this number grows, so too does the need for timely space domain awareness and situation assessment.
Given the complexity and challenges of operations in space, this topic seeks to develop a proof-of-concept to leverage multi-INT, multi-domain data, intelligence, and information sources to monitor and assess space operations and their functionality in a timely manner in response to intentional and unintentional threats and situations of interest.
To accomplish this, the topic consists of two distinct Technical Areas (TAs). The first TA (TA1) focuses on the collection, processing and analysis of all data types and phenomenologies for advanced Space Domain Awareness and detection of non-standard threats. The second TA (TA2) focuses on analytics, data fusion, machine learning, dynamic command and control for understanding adversary capabilities, actions (offensive/defensive) and effects.
Technical Area 1 - Real-time Processing of Non-Traditional Phenomenologies for Non-Standard Threats
The space domain is becoming increasingly congested and contested as the population of satellites in the space domain is both increasing and expanding. The emergence of non-standard threats in the space domain poses a challenge for traditional phenomenologies, such as RADARs and electro-optical telescopes. Today TMs non-standard threats are increasingly difficult to detect, track and characterize. The United States Space Force (USSF) must possess the capability to monitor the space domain for nonstandard threats in order to protect national assets. This topic seeks to identify new sensing phenomenologies and the processes necessary to detect, track, and characterize non-standard threats. Additionally, the USSF needs to understand how these new phenomenologies complement and improve information products generated by traditional phenomenologies.
Technical Area 2 - Real-Time Automated Data Fusion, Analysis & Exploitation
Joint space forces typically support multiple Combatant Commands, joint functions, and Operational Environments simultaneously to create effects during all military operations (strategic, operational, and tactical). Joint planners continually coordinate across internal and external equity holders to integrate intelligence and information for commander guidance and decisions on the development and refinement of space strategies, plans, and objectives. The timely assessment of space operations is critical for the iterative joint planning process, especially in a contested environment, and must keep pace with evolving conditions and considerations. This can be challenging in the space domain where operators often cannot directly observe the effects of an operation and resulting adversary behavior.
Space operations assessment measures the progress toward accomplishing a task, creating an effect, achieving an objective, or attaining an end state by comparing forecasted outcomes to actual events to determine the overall effectiveness of force employment. As planners identify specific space tasks, they also develop measures of performance and measures of effectiveness to assess each task and objective. Space operations assessment informs the decision-making process concerning the best way to employ and adapt limited resources in support of military operations.
PHASE I
TA1: Identify non-traditional phenomenologies that can be used to perform SDA collections. Investigate the technical challenges to exploiting the data from non-traditional phenomenologies for real-time SDA. Identify a collection strategy. Identify the benefits of leveraging the non-traditional phenomenology to complement and improve traditional phenomenologies. Define specific performance metrics and demonstrate how the approach enhances the defined metrics for tracking and characterizing targets. The offeror is expected to include a detailed plan outlining the development, testing, and integration of the proposed solution, including specific timelines and milestones. GFE will not be provided.
TA2: Design a concept for a workable and scalable prototype to address the basic capabilities and technical feasibility of the stated objective as well as data and information sources and the timeliness of their solution. Identify non-traditional phenomenology and data sources. Define a set of metrics and success criteria for a Phase 2 prototype. Include detailed findings in a Phase II plan in the final report. GFE will not be provided
PHASE II
TA1: Research and develop technical solutions to address the technical challenges of the non-traditional phenomenology identified in the Phase I effort. Develop and demonstrate a simulation capability to generate simulated data for the non-traditional phenomenology. Perform SDA collections with the nontraditional phenomenology and investigate the collected data. Develop a framework for processing of the non-traditional phenomenology. Develop a methodology to perform data fusion of the non-traditional phenomenology with traditional phenomenologies. Demonstrate an integrated prototype system or incorporation of new phenomenologies into an existing system. Demonstrate the ability to generate actionable information on relevant timelines through a simulation or deployment to a relevant environment. GFE will not be provided.
TA2: Develop, implement and test the proposed Phase 1 solution as prototype software to assess space operations using multi-INT multi-domain data and information in a timely manner in response events of interests and unintentional threats and their effects on space missions. Show the feasibility of the approach using modeling simulation and real-world data. GFE will not be provided.
For both Success criteria for Phase II include:
- Demonstrated software prototype capability. Demonstration will be measured against metrics and CONOPs use case.
- Ability to integrate outputs into operational workflows with minimal burden on users.
- Achievable path to Phase III transition, including identification of customers, funding mechanisms, and required approvals
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS
Further develop and deploy the prototype capabilities developed under Phase II. Develop a strategy to transition prototype residual capabilities and incremental proliferation based on operational USSF requirements. Mature prototype software into a commercial product for commercial SDA. Identify government and commercial organizations for transition. Generate the technical and training documentation required for third party integration. Provide services to the government to maximize the utility of the alerts to operations. Provide services to the government to update software prototype for different applications. This topic promotes dual-use opportunities to provide health and operational status of commercial satellites and their services in relation to adversaries TM actions.
REFERENCES
Joint Chiefs of Staff, 2023. Joint Publication 3-14: Joint Space Operations. Washington, DC: Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Joint Chiefs of Staff, 2020. Joint Publication 5-0: Joint Planning. Washington, DC: Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Joint Chiefs of Staff, 2021. Joint Publication 3-60: Joint Targetting. Washington, DC: Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Galbreath, C.S., 2025. A Broader Look at Dynamic Space Operations: Creating Multi-Dimensional Dilemmas for Adversaries. The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.
Reeves, J., 2025. Charting a Path to Space Superiority: The Cross-Domain Imperative. The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.
United States Space Force, "Spacepower," Space Capstone Publication, Headquarters United States Space Force, June 2020.
J. O'Farrill, T. Mims, T. Janik and I. Fernandez, "Multi-Phenomenology Characterization of Space Objects Using Reinforcement Learning," in AMOS Conference, Wailea, HI, 2022.
E. Griggs, M. Schierholtz, I. Hussein, M. Bolden, K. Charles and H. Borowski, "Probabilistic Initial Orbit Determination and Object Tracking in Cislunar Space Using Passive Radio Frequency Sensors," in AMOS Conference, Wailea, HI, 202.
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