The System F6 experiment was intended to demonstrate and explore the benefits of dispersing the functions of a single satellite across several smaller platforms. The demonstration satellites were supposed to exchange data with one another in space.
....lack of an overall integrator to pull the mission together, and said the project’s cancellation is in no way a signal that DARPA, the Pentagon’s advanced technology development arm, is shying away from space projects.
Formation flying is a must for huge interferometers
That's interesting. I have been rather dubious of these disaggregation proposals. First of all, they don't sound like they make much sense.
Quote from: Blackstar on 05/19/2013 03:29 amThat's interesting. I have been rather dubious of these disaggregation proposals. First of all, they don't sound like they make much sense. The only way it would make sense to me is if it were intended to make it more difficult for an attacker to degrade U.S. defense satellite capability. China just demonstrated a launcher for an ASAT system able to reach GPS, and possibly geosynchronous, orbits - something the U.S. has never done (nor anyone else I believe). Other than making the satellites more maneuverable than the kill vehicle, the only approach I could imagine would be to "fill the sky" with targets faster than they could be eliminated. (I would park my secret satellites in plain site, on rocket stages and other "debris".) - Ed Kyle
That's interesting. I have been rather dubious of these disaggregation proposals. First of all, they don't sound like they make much sense. It's kinda like saying that you're going to take your television apart and spread it all over the floor and make it "better." Some components have to be attached to each other to work, and spreading things out adds structure and systems to each component, and also adds a station-keeping requirement. It just didn't sound logical.
During recent trade shows, Northrop Grumman officials have been pitching products aimed at a more cost-conscious government customer. Specifically, the company is shopping a protected satellite communications capability for tactical users that currently is available only from the Air Force’s large — and expensive — Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite system.“When [Shelton] talks about disaggregation, this is what he’s talking about,” said Rick Skinner, director of communication systems and business development for Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems of Redondo Beach, Calif.
China just demonstrated a launcher for an ASAT system able to reach GPS, and possibly geosynchronous, orbits - something the U.S. has never done (nor anyone else I believe).