CRITICAL VULNERABILITIES IN THE SPACE DOMAIN: USING NANOSATELLITES AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL SATELLITE ARCHITECTURES
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Authors
Swintek, Philip C.
Swintek, Philip C.
Subjects
satellite communication
SATCOM
nano satellites
cube satellites
CubeSats
very high frequency
VHF
space-based technology
special operations forces
SOF
software-defined radio
SDR
VHF relay
high altitude balloon
HAB
Software-Assisted VHF information overhead relay-CubeSat
SAVIOR-Cube
SATCOM
nano satellites
cube satellites
CubeSats
very high frequency
VHF
space-based technology
special operations forces
SOF
software-defined radio
SDR
VHF relay
high altitude balloon
HAB
Software-Assisted VHF information overhead relay-CubeSat
SAVIOR-Cube
Advisors
Moore, Scott M.
Blanken, Leo J.
Lan, Wenschel D.
Date of Issue
2018-06
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Today, the U.S. military relies upon space-based technology for a myriad of functions from precision navigation to satellite communication. Satellites greatly enable the modern American military and particularly empower special operations forces across the globe, supporting decentralized and geographically disparate operations. However, the U.S. is highly reliant upon this technology and thus increasingly vulnerable with potential adversaries undoubtedly possessing, or at least cultivating, the ability to attack America's space-based infrastructure. As a safeguard against such vulnerabilities, nanosatellites, cube satellites (CubeSats), and other small satellites are a low-cost and expedient solution to build redundancy and resiliency, offering unique options as an alternative to traditional satellite systems. To support this hypothesis, this thesis provides such an alternative: A Software Assisted VHF Information Overhead Relay-CubeSat (SAVIOR-Cube). SAVIOR-Cube is a software-defined radio (SDR) payload operating as a very high frequency (VHF) relay via a nanosatellite in low Earth orbit. This thesis demonstrates the depth of the problem a payload such as SAVIOR-Cube could solve, the applicability of nanosatellite solutions to U.S. forces today, and the results of extensive testing, culminating with a proof of concept high-altitude balloon flight. Nanosatellites are a viable alternative to traditional space-based infrastructure—a solution to a critical vulnerability.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Space Systems Academic Group (SP)
Defense Analysis (DA)
Space Systems Academic Group (SP)
Defense Analysis (DA)
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
SSC-PAC
Funder
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.