The Tactical Microsatellite (TacSat) Innovative Naval Prototype (INP) program began in FY06 to prototype new naval space capabilities. This INP represented the Navy’s first science and technology investment in response to the Department of the Navy’s Space Policy approved in 2005, which emphasized the need for Navy to invest in space science, technology, research and development. The initial investments were aligned with the Navy’s 2005 Wald study, which stated the need for space to improve maritime domain awareness, data-exfi ltration, sub-detection, and communications-on-the-move (a Marine-stated need). TacSat-4 supports three of these areas and has been developed applying FORCEnet principles for user capabilities and collaboration.
TacSat-4 payload technologies include a 12-foot UHF deployable antenna,advanced thermal control using several heat pipe technologies, and compact ten channel transponder electronics, all provided at a lower cost point for spacecraft. Development areas include spacecraft bus standards, long dwell orbits, dynamic tasking, and net-centric operations.
The Minotaur-IV launch vehicle will be used to achieve orbit. A single satellite can provide 2 hours of coverage three times a day over a given theater (2000nm diameter), as well as support multiple theaters throughout the world each day. Users will use their existing equipment or early wide-band radios, when applicable. Advanced capabilities such as bridging multiple channels, converting UHF voice comms to SIPRNET, or specifi c data ex-fi ltration scenarios such as buoy collections transmitted to Navy ship IP networks, will be provided with unique terminals each supporting a 2000nm area. The Blossom Point (BP) Ground Station in Maryland provides the command and control for TacSat-4 and maintains its user tasking system. BP’s fl exible common ground architecture allows rapid transitions and enables net-centric operations. Payload tasking will be performed via the SIPRNET-based Virtual Mission Operations Center, with frequencies allocated by the Joint Task Force-Global Network Operations and theater managers, as appropriate.