How Satellite Services Will Transform Military Operations

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)'s #Blackjack program: The Blackjack program aims to revolutionize #military #space capabilities by replacing traditional expensive, vulnerable #satellites in geosynchronous orbit (#GEO) with a constellation of smaller, cheaper satellites in low Earth orbit (#LEO). Here are the key aspects: Core Features and Benefits: 1. Cost-effective: Each satellite (including launch) costs under $6M, compared to traditional expensive military satellites 2. Rapid deployment: Smaller "satlets" (about shoebox-sized, 50kg) enable faster construction and launch 3. Enhanced survivability: Network of many small satellites is harder to disable than few large ones 4. Autonomous operation: Uses AI/ML for independent decision-making with minimal human oversight 5. Scalable architecture: Plans for 60-200 satellites operating between 500-1,300km altitude Technical Innovations: 1. "Pit Boss" system: Provides #autonomous #constellationmanagement and data processing with:   - On-board AI for decision-making   - Distributed computing capabilities   - Secure communications and encryption   - Automated target tracking and handoff between satellites 2. Commoditized Bus: Standardized satellite platform that:   - Can accommodate various military payloads without redesign   - Uses commercial satellite bus technology   - Enables rapid integration of new capabilities Progress and Achievements: - Successfully launched first four Blackjack satellites in June 2023 - Deployed two Mandrake 2 satellites (Able and Baker) in July 2021, demonstrating laser communications - Established partnerships with key companies including:  - Airbus Defence and Space/Eutelsat OneWeb Satellites (satellite buses)  - Blue Canyon Technologies (buses and payloads)  - SEAKR Engineering, LLC Engineering (Pit Boss development)  - Mynaric (laser communication terminals) The program represents a significant shift in military space strategy, moving from few expensive assets to many distributed, autonomous ones, while leveraging commercial space technology advances for military applications.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve witnessed China's projection of military power in space. According to Ars Technica, the Shijian-21 and Shijian-25 satellites successfully docked in geostationary orbit. This wasn’t just a test; it was an actual demonstration of on-orbit reuse, repair, or refueling. See link: https://lnkd.in/eWnTfC5r These two advancements, autonomous AI in space and orbital reuse, are converging. And if China manages to expand this system to the planned 2,800 satellites, it could significantly shift the balance in space. In a recent interview with Bloomberg, I emphasized what I believe is a critical shift: “This marks a major shift in the US–China space competition. China is creating asymmetric advantages: autonomous surveillance, environmental monitoring, and military applications that are less vulnerable to Earth-based cyber or physical attacks...If China successfully establishes this capability and scales it up... the ability to process that data with AI is going to offer China that strategic edge.” With the launch of the Three-Body Computing Constellation, China has started deploying a network of AI-enabled satellites that process vast volumes of data in orbit. This isn’t just a technical innovation—it’s a strategic one. By minimizing reliance on ground stations, China is reducing latency, increasing survivability, and decentralizing decision-making in space. As I noted, "A lot of in-space data never makes it to the ground. Particularly for intelligence and military data, the ability to do in-space computing is a novel application and a big deal.” For more of my perspective, see the article, https://lnkd.in/egUTadJ6