4th Responsive Space Conference

RS4-2006-5003

Reconnaissance Payloads
for Responsive Space

Stanley Kishner, David Flynn, Charles Cox

Goodrich Optical and Space Systems Division
Danbury, CT

4th Responsive Space Conference

April 24–27, 2006
Los Angeles, CA
 AIAA-RS4 2006-5003

RECONNAISSANCE PAYLOADS FOR RESPONSIVE SPACE

Stanley Kishner, David Flynn and Charles Cox
Goodrich Optical and Space Systems Division, Danbury, CT

Abstract “product stream” of airborne sensors to

A key mission fueling the interest in
Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) is
optical reconnaissance. Minimizing the cost
and delivery schedules of optical
reconnaissance payloads having true
operational capability will be key to the
success of these missions. Modification of
existing proven airborne reconnaissance
payloads provides a practical path for
achieving this Responsive Space capability.
In addition to space-based sensors such as
the Multispectral Thermal Imager (MTI)
developed for Sandia National Laboratories
and launched in early 2000 and optical
assemblies for the recently launched
Japanese ALOS satellite, Goodrich currently
provides a range of imaging sensor systems
and services for airborne reconnaissance.
Goodrich has provided the reconnaissance
cameras for the U-2 since 1957, with the
current Senior Year Electro-Optical
Reconnaissance System (SYERS) electro-
optical system providing a robust set of
outputs supporting IMINT and MASINT
missions. The capabilities of the SYERS
system have continually improved through
our P3I program. From a low earth orbit of
300 kilometers, a SYERS system modified
for use in space provides a ground sample
distance of approximately 1-meter. It is this
system and its functional elements that form
the basis for our Responsive Space
Reconnaissance (RSR) approach.
The Goodrich approach for producing
payloads for RSR, as originally described at
the 3rd Responsive Space Conference [Cox,
2005], can be visualized as pulling from our
Copyright © 2006 by Goodrich Corporation. Published by
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AIAA-4 Responsive Space Conference 2006
build an inventory of RSR payloads that can
be made available upon short notice. The
major effort for adapting the SYERS sensor
system for responsive space is associated
with the focal plane and electronics. This
adaptation can be accomplished with parts
and processes compatible with a short
duration space mission and aimed at
reducing the power consumption for
compatibility with a low-cost spacecraft bus.
Our vision for RSR Payloads is to establish
a pre-positioned, rapid-response process that
can adapt our continually evolving product
line of high acuity airborne sensors for
responsive space missions as the need for
such missions is identified.
In this paper we describe the SYERS sensor,
its modification for use in space and
interfaces to candidate spacecraft. We also
address the CONOPS that allow a modified
SYERS sensor to meet responsive space
needs.
In summary, optical imaging payloads for
RSR can be evolved from our operationally-
proven line of tactical and strategic airborne
sensors, which have demonstrated on-
demand support to our warfighters. These
existing airborne systems emphasize
operational availability and can be readily
adapted for RSR missions. This philosophy
and capability is directly aligned with ORS
needs.
Introduction
Goodrich has identified a transformational
approach for RSR payloads supporting ORS
objectives. This approach leverages US
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Government investments in high quality
Airborne Reconnaissance systems by
modifying Goodrich’s current airborne
operational systems to provide
reconnaissance capabilities from space to
support the ORS vision. In this paper we
describe these systems, summarize the
utility provided by them, and describe the
hardware modifications of the U-2 SYERS
electro-optical sensor and corresponding
operational scenarios that make the resulting
sensors consistent with low-cost space
mission requirements.
The Goodrich approach has several distinct
advantages:
• Minimizes non-recurring costs and
risk by leveraging existing designs of
airborne assets that are currently in
production
• Provides a low-cost, capabilities-
based solution, which avoids the cost
and burden of traditional top-down
procurements.
• The low recurring cost and schedule
required for RSR can been achieved
for the airborne payload using
existing processes, facilities, and
trained personnel
• Leverages government investments
in launch vehicle/bus/ground station
assets by providing compatibility
with the JWS-D2 Spacecraft Bus and
ORS Command and Tasking
Protocols, and providing data
processing and storage based on
JWS-D1 hardware.
• Future growth of our RSR approach
leverages upgrades in airborne assets
(e.g., better resolution, more
sensitivity)
• Our approach incorporates a new,
lower cost method of fabricating
multispectral TDI Focal Planes that
provides tighter spectral band
registration.
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Overview of Goodrich
Reconnaissance Products
Goodrich Optical and Space Systems
Division (OSSD) is a pioneer in modern
reconnaissance. Our heritage over the last 50
years began with the design and
manufacture of the cameras for the world’s
first space-based photo-reconnaissance
satellite, CORONA. This legacy of
Goodrich success in space continues to the
present, with examples including the
Multispectral Thermal Imager, the x-ray
telescope used on NASA’s Chandra
Observatory, star trackers, the optical
systems on the recently launched Japanese
ALOS Reconnaissance Satellite, and other
complex space payloads. We continue to
excel in the development of special purpose
EO payloads and subsystems for demanding
space applications.
As a leader in airborne reconnaissance,
Goodrich EO sensors have provided
strategic intelligence collection on the U-2
platform since its inception. The Goodrich
SYERS-2, a state-of-the-art multispectral
sensor, is the Air Force’s most advanced
real-time long-range EO sensor. We have
continually provided enhanced capabilities
through successive generations of SYERS
sensors.
The current version of the Goodrich
operational sensor developed for use in the
U-2 is the SYERS-2 sensor shown in
Figure 1. This multi-spectral sensor system
has seven imaging channels, allowing
daytime and nighttime intelligence
gathering. The SYERS sensor mounts
internal to the U-2 aircraft via mechanical,
electrical, and data interfaces supporting
interchangeability with the Synthetic
Aperture Radar sensor system.

Figure 1. The SYERS-2 Sensor System
Integrates Internal to the U-2
Nose.
The Goodrich SYERS-2 sensor combines
the information from 3 spectral bands into
one color image. It currently has three
baseline MSI products:
• All Visible Composite (Pan, Red,
Green)
• All Infrared Composite (MWIR,
SWIR1, SWIR2)
• Mixed Channel Composite (SWIR,
Green, Pan)
Iris II and III OBC pan SYERS
These bands support various intelligence
tasks, such as discrimination of man-made
from natural materials, camouflage
identification and detection, identification of
“active” vehicles and aircraft due to their
increased thermal signature, moving Target
Indication (EO-MTI), and water penetration.
The SYERS-2 sensor has a two-axis gimbal
providing precision pointing along-track and
cross-track for target selection in search,
pinpoint targeting, tracking, and stereo
imaging modes. From its typical altitude, it
produces images better than NIIRS-7 at
Nadir.
Goodrich has provided over fifty years of
continuous support and service to the U-2,
as illustrated in Figure 2. The approach of
leveraging the Country’s on-going
investments in high quality Airborne Sensor
systems for use as Operationally Responsive
space assets takes maximum advantage of
this evolutionary improvement in
capabilities.
SYERS-2

Research OBC
apochromatic pan

LSRA EO
LOROP pan

Interim EO OBC apochromatic pan Delta pan Senior Chevron

Figure 2. Goodrich has Provided Continually Evolved Sensor Capabilities to the U-2 for
Over 50 Years.

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Goodrich developed the DB-110 sensor as a
derivative of SYERS. With a smaller
aperture than SYERS, this lightweight
sensor is designed for use on tactical
aircraft, and is offered in a pod-mounted
configuration. This sensor system, shown in
Figure 3, has been flying since 1997 and
consists of a 2-axis gimbaled sensor,
stabilized in pitch and roll, providing
simultaneous operation in visible and
infrared wavelengths. It has long focal
length optics for high altitude standoff
operation in both visible and IR
wavelengths.
Figure 3. The DB-110 System Fits
Within a Pod Attached to
Tactical Fighter Aircraft.
Goodrich integrates and delivers a complete
reconnaissance system in an aircraft pod that
attaches to tactical fighter aircraft via
standard structural, electrical and data
interfaces. In addition to the DB-110 sensor
itself, this Goodrich “pod” system includes
the sensor electronics, data recorder, data
link, power distribution and environmental
control system and a Reconnaissance
Management System (RMS) that controls all
operations of the podded equipment. The
RMS is configured to operate with MIL-
STD 1553B and MIL-STD 1760 interfaces.
The Goodrich reconnaissance pod comprises
all the structural, electrical, and
communications functions of a space-based
payload. Goodrich also provides a mobile
ground station with capability for image
processing and exploitation.
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The DB-110 reconnaissance system was
developed by Goodrich using internal funds
and has been successful in capturing a large
share of the highly competitive International
market. The DB-110 was designed to
balance capabilities and cost, and the
Goodrich ORS payload leverages the
lessons learned in developing this successful
“best value” system.
The Goodrich Approach to
Responsive Space
Operationally responsive Electro-Optical
(EO) imaging capability exists today and is
routinely used to provide intelligence
information to the tactical warfighter. This
capability is provided by Goodrich
Reconnaissance systems having “plug and
play” interfaces to strategic (i.e., U-2) and
tactical airborne platforms. These
operational systems have visible, IR and
multispectral capability, and the resulting
data products readily interface into an
existing infrastructure providing timely
information to theater commanders.
The ORS vision is to provide the local
Theater Commander direct control over a
range of assets that can provide capabilities
that complement those of existing ground,
sea, airborne, and space-based systems.
These systems can be interconnected into a
flexible architecture that will allow these
assets to operate more effectively in a
tactical environment. An ORS EO payload
provides the Theater Commander with direct
dedicated tasking, timely dissemination of
tactically significant imagery, and frequent
non-provocative access to the entire theater.
The data provided by an RSR EO payload
can be used to cue other theater assets to
provide additional data, or to take direct
action.
We have developed a concept for a
comprehensive E-O payload based on our
SYERS-2 Sensor system technologies.
Table 1 summarizes the makeup of the
payload.
Table 1 – Features of RSR EO Payload
Based on SYERS-2 Sensor
SYERS-2 Airborne Sensor with Upgraded
TDI Focal Plane
• 0.42-meter aperture telescope
(glass/graphite construction)
• Wide field-of-view: > 2° (>10.9 km swath
width from 300 km orbit)
• High signal-to-noise ratio (>10X IKONOS)
• High resolution (1-meter GSD from 300 km
orbit) – NIIRS 4
• High area coverage (58.2 sq km/sec at
NIIRS 4)
• Multispectral sensing (3 bands)
Solid State Data Processing and
Storage Unit (DPSU)
• Payload primary control
• Common Data Link (CDL) interface
• Spacecraft Command & Control Interface
(compatible w/ORS Modular bus)
• Solid state buffer (6000 sq km of
uncompressed NIIRS 4 pan imagery)
• Image compression and file formatting
(compression commandable to 16:1)
• Spacecraft power regulation
Payload to Spacecraft Bus Mounting
Structure and Interface
Thermal Control System Allowing Operation
in All Low Earth Orbits
Aperture Door Protects Payload from
Contamination
The Goodrich RSR payload, located in a 300
km orbit, will provide high quality (NIIRS
4) imagery, with about 1 meter ground
sample distance (GSD) at nadir, over a wide
swath width of 10.9 km. In this orbit the
payload provides a high image collection
capacity (> 58.2 square kilometers per
second at full resolution) comparable to
IKONOS. The Goodrich RSR payload can
also be used in higher orbits, providing
increased collection capacity with reduced
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image quality. In higher orbits the GSD will
increase linearly with the altitude and the
collection capacity will increase with the
square of the altitude. A high sensitivity
PAN channel provides greater than 10 times
the signal on a pixel as IKONOS allowing
image collection to be performed under the
challenging illumination conditions required
for tactical reconnaissance. The PAN
channel supports a bidirectional readout
allowing the payload to perform single pass
stereo image collection similar to IKONOS.
The payload also has two multispectral
bands (Green and Red) with spectral
bandwidths optimized for military utility.
The Goodrich RSR payload is based on
components that were specifically designed
for mission critical military remote sensing
applications. The two key components of a
remote sensor are the optical system and the
focal plane. The optical system uses a
thermally stable, lightweight, glass/graphite
telescope with a large 0.4 meter diameter
aperture that has been proven on the U-2
SYERS-2 sensor. The SYERS-2 optical
system will require a minor modification to
the focal plane interface to allow the use of
Goodrich’s latest generation multispectral
visible focal plane. The onboard processing
and data storage electronics will leverage
components that were developed for use on
the JWS-D1 (Roadrunner) program. The
Goodrich RSR payload is designed to be
compatible with the Operationally
Responsive Space Modular Bus (ORSMB)
that is currently being developed by AFRL.
Figures 4 and 5 show the Goodrich ORS
payload integrated with a notional ORS
modular bus in multiple configurations:
enclosed in a Falcon fairing, with the fairing
removed, and in the operational
configuration.
 Falcon Payload
Fairing Dynamic
Envelope Thermal Shroud
(Aluminum)
Aperture Door,
One Shot, Captive
(Aluminum)

Strawman Bus
(0.8 x 0.8 x 0.6
meters)

Payload
Separation
Adapter
(Aluminum)

Separation Plane

RSR Payload in Falcon Fairing RSR Payload on ORS Modular Bus

Figure 4. Goodrich RSR Payload fits Within Falcon Fairing with Ample Margin.

SYERS-2 Camera Thermal and Contamination Control Shroud

• Flight-Proven, • Allows Operation in all LEO Orbits
High Resolution

Aperture Door (Deployed) Payload Support Structure

• Protects Payload During • Provides a Modular
Storage, AI&T and Launch Interface

Data Processing and Storage Unit

• Provides an Interface
Compatible with JWS-D1
Strawman Bus

Strawman
Solar Arrays
Strawman (Deployed)
High-Gain
Antenna Notional
Payload
Separation
Adapter

Figure 5. Goodrich RSR Payload in Operational Configuration.

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 Goodrich RSR Payload
Optical Multispectral Focal Plane
System Focal Plane Electronics
Focus Control
Shroud
Figure 6. Goodrich RSR Payload Functional Block Diagram.
A functional block diagram of the Goodrich
RSR payload is shown in Figure 6. The
optical system images the scene onto the
three spectral channels (PAN, Green, and
Red) of the focal plane. The image data for
each band is then digitized to 12 bits and
sent to the focal plane electronics for data
formatting and preconditioning prior to data
compression. The formatted data is sent to
the data compressor where a compression
algorithm is selectively commanded to
provide variable levels of data compression.
The data is then sent to an on-board solid
state buffer. An Instrument Controller is
present to parse commands to and from the
sensor payload through an ORS modular bus
compatible SPA-U plug and play interface.
All commands and housekeeping data on the
payload are conveyed to and from the
payload via this interface. A dedicated high
speed interface from the solid state buffer to
the communications downlink is also
provided.
The image compression provided by the
Goodrich RSR payload is compatible with
the Multi-Band Integrated Satellite Terminal
(MIST) followed by a MIST Interface
Module (MIM) containing a data recorder to
receive the down loaded imagery. The MIM
provides for interfacing the MIST to the
Remote Tasking Terminal (RTT) which
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Image Solid State
Compression Buffer (SSB)
Spacecraft
Bus
Instrument SPA-U
Controller Interface
DPSU
Heater & Aperture
Door Control
would process the imagery similar to the
JWS-D1 experiment. The RTT provides for
the conversion of the JPEG compressed files
into JPEG-2000 image files for display on
the RTT, and into National Imagery
Transmission Format (NITF 2.1) files
suitable for transfer via CD or DVD to a
Tactical Exploitation System – Lite (TES-
Lite) workstation for intelligence processing
and dissemination. It is assumed that minor
software modifications would be required
for the command and control of the
Goodrich payload from the RTT.
Modification for Space
Goodrich has been engaged for decades in
the development and production of high
quality space-based EO sensors for a wide
variety of applications. These include star
trackers, earth sensors, and ultraviolet,
visible and infrared telescopes. A recent
example of one of Goodrich OSSD’s
custom-developed Space payloads is the
Multispectral Thermal Imaging System
(MTI) launched in early 2000, pictured in
Figures 7 and 8.
Another example of Goodrich technology
and infrastructure for space-based EO
systems is our product line for high quality
star trackers and attitude sensors. Goodrich
has provided over 90 star trackers, with 33
units currently operational on-orbit, each
one consisting of an optical system, a stable
opto-mechanical structure, a thermo-
electrically cooled focal plane, electronics,
and software. This product line, developed
under internal funding, has successfully
captured a large share of the competitive star
tracker market, a market that requires the
delivery of firm fixed price hardware to
challenging schedule requirements.
Examples of Goodrich star trackers are
shown in Figure 9.
The technologies and capabilities that are
currently used to develop, build, qualify, and
deliver our space-based payloads can be
applied to our airborne sensor line to
achieve the Responsive Space Surveillance
objective.

Figure 7. The MTI Satellite Provides Figure 8. Goodrich Developed and

Detailed Multi-spectral Images Delivered the MTI Payload.
of Ground Targets.

Figure 9. Goodrich Star Trackers are Used on a Variety of Spacecraft.

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 The main adaptation required to the SYERS-
2 sensor system for responsive space is
associated with the electronics. The
functionality and architecture must be
implemented with parts and processes
compatible with the space environment.
Operation in the vacuum of space influences
the means by which the electronics are
cooled, and the choice of non-outgassing
materials. Exposure to radiation in space is
also a concern and parts with known
radiation susceptibility must be avoided.
Additionally, the modified design must
provide power consumption compatible with
a low-cost spacecraft bus. We estimate an
orbital average power of less than 200 watts
for a modified SYERS-2 sensor. The
Goodrich RSR payload has been designed to
be used in a strap-down configuration on an
agile spacecraft; therefore the self-contained
pointing and stabilization capability of the
airborne sensors is eliminated reducing cost,
weight, and power.
Interface Compatibility
A number of enabling technologies that are
required to achieve the ORS vision are
currently being developed. The Goodrich
RSR payload is designed to be compatible
with these technologies. The Goodrich RSR
payload interface characteristics, as shown
in Table 2, are compatible with the
preliminary interface requirements for
Operationally Responsive Space Modular
Bus (ORSMB) being developed by AFRL
for the JWS-D2 program.

Table 2 – Interface Compatibility

Interface Type Goodrich RSR Payload

Mass Mass < 150 kg
Properties C.G. = 0.6 meters from Bus I/F
Envelope Ample margin within FALCON fairing dynamic envelope
Pointing Payload field mapping error to within 1 pixel (3.4 µrad) RMS will not drive geolocation
Knowledge accuracy
Agility and Full Resolution (1 m GSD) scan rates:
Stability 1st pass: 0.2 to 1.2 deg/sec
2nd pass: 1.2 to 2.2 deg/sec
2x2 Binning (2 m GSD) scan rates:
1st pass scan: -0.8 to 1.2 deg/sec
2nd pass scan: 1.2 to 3.2 deg/sec
2 scans required for single orbit stereo.
Pointing Jitter < 1 µrad
Power <250 Watts (peak) @ 28 VDC
<200 Watts orbital average power for 10 minutes operation per orbit

Payload Payload processor provides a plug and play interface and controls all payload functions.
Processing and Solid State Data Buffer (64 Gbits) can store up to 6000 square kilometers of
Data Storage uncompressed full resolution PAN imagery.
Thermal Electronics dissipate <75 Watts to S/C.
Payload incorporates a Thermal Control System to radiate heat and provide thermal
control allowing operation in all LEO orbits
Payload Data CDL interface compatible with JWS-D1
Downlink

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 Image Quality
The SYERS-2 airborne sensor on which the
Goodrich RSR payload is based is capable
of providing imagery with a NIIRS rating
greater than 7 from the U-2 [Leachtenauer,
1997 and Maver, 1995]. The Goodrich RSR
payload is capable of providing tactically
significant image data (NIIRS 4) from a 300
km orbit, which is comparable to the image
quality provided by the IKONOS
commercial remote sensing satellite (NIIRS
4.5). A system with a NIIRS rating of 4 or
higher can provide a theater Commander
with data products that can be effectively
used for target acquisition, identification,
and that can be used to cue other theater
assets. For an RSR system it is questionable
if a NIIRS rating higher than 5 justifies the
additional cost given the capabilities of other
theater assets to provide high quality
imagery. Figure 10 shows a sample of
imagery from a Goodrich airborne sensor
that has been numerically degraded to
simulate a NIIRS rating comparable to the
Goodrich RSR payload in a 300 km orbit.
Image quality is a strong function of the
ground sample distance (GSD), which is the
projection of a detector pixel on the ground.
The GSD in Figure 10 is 1 meter. Image
quality is also a function of the signal-to-
noise ratio of the sensor. The Goodrich RSR
payload has a high throughput optical
system and a high sensitivity detector that
provides 10 times the signal on a pixel as
IKONOS. This allows the collection of
imagery in the challenging illumination
conditions required for tactical
reconnaissance.

Unclassified Crown Copyright/MOD

The Goodrich RSR Payload Provides
NIIRS 4 Imagery from a 300 km Orbit

Figure 10. A Sample Scene with Image Quality Comparable to the Goodrich RSR
Payload in a 300 km Orbit.

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The previous discussion on image quality
focused on the utility of high resolution
panchromatic (PAN) imagery. The ability to
simultaneously collect image data from
multiple spectral bands has proven to be
useful in a number of applications. For
example, spectral data can be used to
acquire partially hidden or camouflaged
targets and to identify targets and materials.
The effectiveness of spectral data is very
application specific; a few well placed
spectral bands can perform better than many
narrow spectral bands in some applications.
Spectral bands that are useful for mapping
natural resources may not be useful for
discriminating between natural and man-
made objects.
Many operational airborne sensors and
commercial remote sensing satellites have a
multispectral (MS) capability. For example
the IKONOS and Quickbird commercial
remote sensing satellites have four MS
bands (Blue, Green, Red, and Near IR) in
addition to a PAN band. The Goodrich RSR
payload retains the 3 visible spectral bands
(PAN, Green, and Red) from the SYERS-2
payload with spectral bandwidths optimized
for military utility.
The Goodrich RSR payload can be modified
in the future to include additional visible or
IR spectral bands (which are already fielded
in the SYERS-2 sensor) if required. Other
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theater assets also have the capability to
provide multispectral, or hyperspectral,
imagery so a more cost effective solution
may be to use the Goodrich RSR payload to
cue these assets if additional spectral data is
required.
Concept of Operation
(CONOPS) Overview
The Goodrich RSR payload is derived from
proven airborne systems that provide data
products currently used by theater
commanders to make real-time decisions.
Our approach provides the tactical theater
Commander with EO intelligence from
space using assets proven in airborne
operations, and using the existing command
and control infrastructure. Figure 11 shows
an example of the ORS sensor ground track
for a 300 km circular orbit, and the
corresponding field-of-regard (FOR) and
instantaneous field-of-view (IFOV) of the
sensor.
The Goodrich RSR payload provides
Intelligence, Surveillance and
Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities that
augment and complement those of other
theater assets (space, near-space and
airborne). Table 3 compares the capabilities
of the Goodrich RSR payload to
airborne/near-space assets and commercial
remote sensing satellites.
 Figure 11. The Goodrich RSR Payload Provides the Theater Commander with Non-
Provocative Access to the Entire Theater with Multiple Revisits Each Day.

Table 3 – Summary of ISR Capabilities of Theater Assets

Airborne and Near Commercial Remote
Capability Goodrich RSR Payload
Space Assets Sensing Satellites
Non-Provocative
Limited penetration at borders with
Access to Denied Unlimited Unlimited
cooperative host nations
Areas
Short Term
UAVs can loiter over limited areas
Continuous
for up to 24 hours. Near-Space No short term loiter capability No short term loiter capability
Persistence Over
airships can loiter for longer periods
Limited Areas
A single ORS satellite can provide
Long Term Periodic The revisit rate over entire theater The average revisit rate for a
multiple revisits per day.
Persistence Over The limited by low collection capacity commercial remote sensing
3 to 4 ORS satellites can provide 90
Entire Theater and vehicle rates satellites is 1 to 3 days
minute revisit rates continuously.
Low
Image Collection 2 High High
< 1 km /second 2 2
Capacity IKONOS > 58.6 km /second > 58.2 km /second
Limited by vehicle rate
High Moderate
Moderate
NIIRS: 0.5 – 1-meter GSD
Image Quality 1-meter GSD
SYERS > 7 NIIRS:
NIIRS 4
Global Hawk > 6 IKONOS 4.5
Direct control by the theater
Direct control by the theater Assets support multiple
Near Real Time Commander. Near real time tasking
Commander. Near real time tasking users and are not under the
Tasking and Data within a wide field of regard during an
within small field of regard. Near direct control of the theater
Dissemination overpass. Near real-time data download
real-time data download via CDL. Commander.
via CDL.
Days if the support infrastructure
Call Up to Theater It takes years to build and
(e.g. airfields) is in place. Requires ORS goal is seven days
Tasking launch new systems
cooperation of a host nation

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The Goodrich RSR payload provides a
combination of capabilities that cannot be
matched by airborne or commercial space
assets alone. It augments the ISR
capabilities currently available to the theater
Commander, especially during the critical
periods of theater build-up and theater
operations. It also has the capability to
collect timely imagery over the entire
theater. The data from the Goodrich RSR
payload can be used to cue other space,
airborne, or ground assets so they can be
used more effectively. Table 4 shows an
example of the how the capabilities of
airborne assets, commercial space assets,
and the Goodrich RSR payload can be used
together during a theater operation.

Table 4 – Utility of ISR Assets During a Theater Operation

Stage of Airborne and Near Commercial Remote
Goodrich RSR Payload
Operation Space Sensing Satellites
Data used for long
Provocative Not Available
Prior to term global
Requires cooperation (High revisit rate and
Conflict intelligence and
of a Host Nation timeliness are not required)
strategic planning
Provocative Existing assets can be
Conflict
Requires cooperation tasked to identify initial Requires 7 days to call up
Identification
of a Host Nation conflict indicators
Theater Non-Provocative Non-Provocative
Provocative
Buildup Provides infrequent Provides timely ISR data
Requires cooperation
(weeks, ISR data over the over the entire theater
of a Host Nation
months) entire theater Can cue other space assets
Theater
Vulnerable to hostile Provides timely ISR data
Operations Provides infrequent
actions over the entire theater
Prior to ISR data over the
Able to loiter Can cue other space,
Control of Air entire theater
Provides high quality airborne, or ground assets
Space No ability to replenish
imagery over limited Rapid replenishment
(weeks, or augment if required
areas capability if required
months)
Theater Provides timely ISR data
Unlimited Use Provides infrequent
Operations over the entire theater
Able to loiter ISR data over the
Once Control Can cue other space,
Provides high quality entire theater
of Air Space airborne, or ground assets
imagery over limited No ability to replenish
Achieved Rapid replenishment
areas or augment if required
(months) capability if required
Provocative Non-Provocative
Non-Provocative
Stabilization Able to loiter Provides timely ISR data
Provides infrequent
and Peace Provides high quality over the entire theater
ISR data over the
Keeping imagery over limited Can cue other space,
entire theater
areas airborne, or ground assets

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Theater commanders require dedicated
command and control, and the timely direct
downlink of imagery to make tactical
decisions. One of the goals of the ORS
concept is to provide the theater Commander
with dedicated space-based systems that
provide the flexible command/control, and
the timeliness of data, currently available
from airborne platforms. For example, one
of the technologies that is being
demonstrated on the JWS-D1 program is the
use of a modified tactical Common Data
Link (CDL) that provides in-field tactical
command, control and communications of
the JWS-D1 satellite. The space-based CDL
is compatible with the airborne CDL that is
currently used to operate UAVs including
Global Hawk and Predator. The CDL can
provide a high rate downlink of 274 Mbps
and an uplink rate of 200 kbps.
Figure 12 shows a typical timeline for an
overpass of an RSR asset over a theater.
From a 300 km orbit there are
approximately 8 minutes when the satellite
will be above the local horizon. When the
satellite is nominally 5 degrees above
ground elevation, a condition that is met for
about 6.5 minutes during an overpass, the
upload of tasking commands via a CDL
Orbital Period
CDL Upload Access Period
CDL Download Access Period
CDL Command Upload
Pointing Sequence
Imaging Sequence
CDL Image Download
Figure 12. Goodrich RSR Payload Field Tasking via CDL.
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AIAA-4 Responsive Space Conference 2006
ground station in theater is possible. Tasking
commands, which control the spacecraft
attitude slewing and payload data collection,
can also be uploaded using the existing
space system support infrastructure (e.g.
ground stations outside of the theater or
from communications satellites). A
hemispherical antenna is used to support the
low bandwidth upload of commands so
slewing the satellite to point toward the
ground station is not required during upload.
Imaging is performed when the target area is
approximately within 30 degrees of nadir.
This preserves the design ground resolution,
and avoids the deleterious effects of
atmospheric haze on image quality. From an
altitude of 300 km, this condition is satisfied
for about 45 seconds of the orbit for any
given target location. Each orbital pass
provides several minutes of near-nadir
access to a wide-area theater of interest.
Opening up the field-of-regard beyond 30
degrees can increase coverage at the cost of
lower image quality. By using an agile
spacecraft, multiple targets can be collected
during an overpass for a region from nadir to
±30 degrees, both along-track and cross-
track.
90.5 minutes
6.5 minutes
3.5 min
When the satellite is nominally 15 degrees
above ground elevation, a condition that is
met for about 3.5 minutes during an
overpass, the high bandwidth download of
image data via the CDL to a ground station
in theater is possible. During high
bandwidth download the satellite must slew
to point the high gain antenna at the ground
station. The Goodrich ORS payload will
include a solid state data recorder that will
have the capacity to store 6000 square
kilometers of high resolution panchromatic
image data. The download of image data can
also be performed using the existing space
system support infrastructure (e.g. download
to ground stations outside of the theater or to
communications satellites).
The ability to upload tasking commands
within minutes of an overpass, and to
provide decision quality image data to the
field in near-real time, allows the theater
Commander to effectively act on the data.
For example, imagery from the Goodrich
RSR payload can be used to cue space,
airborne, or ground assets to collect higher
resolution imagery of a target or to take
offensive action, before the target has time
to take evasive action. In this example the
Goodrich RSR payload acts as a force
multiplier, increasing the effectiveness of
available theater assets.
Coverage/Revisit Time
The coverage of a desired theater can be
optimized by choice of orbit parameters and
the number of sensors/spacecraft for an ORS
mission. The orbits selected for ORS
missions may be significantly different than
those used by legacy space assets, e.g.
commercial remote sensing satellites such as
IKONOS, where the orbital parameters are
optimized for global coverage with
infrequent revisits. For example all the
current commercial remote sensing satellites
(e.g. IKONOS, ORBVIEW, and Quickbird)
are in high inclination Sun synchronous
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AIAA-4 Responsive Space Conference 2006
orbits that on the average revisit a target area
once every 1 to 3 days. By selecting a low
Earth orbit (LEO) Repeat Coverage Orbit
[Wertz, 2005] with an inclination a few
degrees above the latitude of the target area,
an ORS satellite can provide 4 to 5
overpasses of a target per day. For some
proposed ORS missions, multiple ORS
spacecraft may be used to further improve
coverage. For example, 3 or 4 ORS satellites
can provide 90 minute revisits over a target
continuously.
The Goodrich RSR Payload can provide
high resolution imagery within 30 degrees of
the nadir ground track. From a 300 km orbit
a 346-km-wide field of regard is accessible
as the spacecraft passes over the target area.
Imagery can also be collected beyond 30
degrees field of regard; however the image
quality will degrade as the slant range
increases. The GSD will increase as a
function of the off-track range and will limit
the useful field of regard for an airborne
platform. In addition to the increase in GSD,
a low altitude airborne sensor with a large
slant range must stare through a longer
atmospheric path than a space-based
platform. ISR from space avoids the issue of
long atmospheric paths allowing a large
field of regard.
The Goodrich RSR payload can scan out
swaths that are greater than 10.9 km wide
for orbits greater than 300 km. The length of
the image swath is a function of the time
spent collecting data for a particular target.
During the available imaging time, multiple
swaths can be collected at various along-
track and cross-track locations. The
maximum collection capacity at full
resolution, assuming no time for re-pointing
is 58.2 square kilometers per second. This is
comparable to IKONOS which provides a
maximum collection capacity of 58.6 square
kilometers per second at full resolution. The
Goodrich RSR payload is also capable of
providing twice the collection capacity, up
to 116.4 square kilometers per second, with
a lower resolution (2 meter GSD) on
command.
Collection efficiency is driven by the agility
of the spacecraft, the separation between the
desired target areas, and the required signal
to noise ratio (SNR). In a remote sensing
application there is a tradeoff between the
SNR of the imagery and the collection
capacity of the sensor. By reducing the scan
rate we can increase the effective integration
period and increase the SNR, but the
collection capacity will decrease. The
Goodrich RSR payload provides a high SNR
image, allowing a high collection capacity in
challenging illumination conditions.
Considering re-pointing, we would expect to
collect less than 1250 square kilometers of
full resolution imagery during an overpass.
The Goodrich RSR payload incorporates a
Solid State Buffer with a memory capacity
of 64 Gbits. It can store up over 6000 square
kilometers, 4.8 overpasses, of full resolution
imagery with a 12 bit dynamic range,
without data compression. The Goodrich
RSR payload also features data compression
with compression ratios up to 16:1.
Downloading to a ground station in the
theater via the CDL of a typical overpass,
1250 square kilometers of uncompressed
full resolution imagery with a 12 bit
dynamic range can be transmitted in under a
minute.
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Summary
Existing high acuity airborne reconnaissance
sensor designs and manufacturing
infrastructure can be leveraged to deliver
low-cost space reconnaissance sensors that
meet the needs of Responsive Space.
Modification of existing Goodrich sensors
for use in space preserves their legacy of
quality and reliability while minimizing the
need for investment in new designs, tooling
and facilities. Extra program costs stemming
from establishing, flowing and monitoring
top-driven requirements are eliminated.
References
C. Cox, et. al, “Reconnaissance Payloads for
Responsive Space”, Paper No. AIAA-RS3-
2005-5004, presented at 3rd Responsive
Space Conference, Los Angeles, CA, April
26-28, 2005.
J.C. Leachtenauer, et. al. “General Image-
Quality Equation: GIQE.” Applied Optics
36, pp. 8322-8 (1997).
L.A. Maver, et. al. “Imagery Interpretability
Rating Scales,” in Digest of Technical
Papers: International Symposium of the
Society for Information Display (Society for
Information Display, Santa Ana, CA, 1995),
vol. 26, pp. 117-120.
James R. Wertz, “Coverage, Responsiveness
and Accessibility for Various ‘Responsive
Orbits’”, Paper No. AIAA RS-3 2005-2001
presented at 3rd Responsive Space
Conference, Los Angeles, CA, April 26-28,
2005.