Space-Based Imaging Radar Constellation with a 10-Year Life Cycle Cost Less Than $1 Billion

Microcosm and ERIM propose to combine multiple approaches to system cost reduction to define a near-term, moderate-risk, low-cost approach to achieving high-resolution space-based remote sensing with rapid revisit times. We will apply the methods successfully employed for small, low-cost spacecraft and documented in the Microcosm "Reducing Space Mission Cost" book project to the much more demanding and inherently expensive high-resolution imaging radar problem. Among the techniques addressed will be Microcosm's Scorpius, very-low-cost, light launch vehicle (reconfigure for large volume), constellation design approaches that use requirements trades to significantly reduce the number of satellites, spacecraft design with large margins and minimal moving or deployed components, and careful relaxation of mass margins to allow use of low-cost, terrestrial components, modified to survive the space and launch environments. Phase I will build on the results of the current DARPA TacSat study led by ERIM, of which Microcosm is a subcontractor, to define a high-resolution imaging radar system with short-to-moderate revisit intervals and a 10-year life cycle cost of less than $1 billion. Phase II will validate the approach and create a near-term technology verification, development, and deployment plan.