Adaptation of the OWL Electro-Optical Space Domain Awareness Sensor to Enable Tactically Responsive Payload Modularity, Integration, and Capability

Spacecraft that conduct space superiority and Space Domain Awareness (SDA) missions for the U.S. Space Force have traditionally been deployed after years-long procurement programs; cost billions of dollars; are purpose built to support a singular high fidelity mission need; and remain on-orbit for years. Meanwhile, the threat vectors present in the space domain have rapidly evolved, with adversaries rapidly deploying new capability on-orbit and testing our ability to characterize and respond to an increasing number of provocations. As a result of the recognition of what Gen. Saltzman referred to as "the tactical nature of space warfighting," there is a growing need to deploy Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) space systems to respond to and defend against this novel adversarial activity in space. As highlighted in the TacRS D2P2 solicitation, the U.S. Space Force requires versatile, low-cost, adaptable space payload sensors incorporated as part of its new TacRS strategy and capability pipeline. In response, SCOUT Space, Inc., a premier SDA payload manufacturer and operator, proposes the adaptation of its OWL electro-optical, space-to-space SDA sensor to better meet the technical and operational requirements unique to TacRS missions.