Leave on time (12/5/22)

Good morning, Monday warriors. Today, we’re excited to publish our latest online feature on a key Pentagon space initiative. Then, read on to find out how you can link up tomorrow with our team, which is currently scattered from Abu Dhabi to Austin.

In today's newsletter:🛰️ The NDSA 🛡️ Starshield 🗓️ Week ahead

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Your Guide to the National Defense Space Architecture

Over the last few years, the space industry has grown by leaps and bounds, pushing American space capabilities forward at an unprecedented rate—especially in LEO.

While its weapons systems may be fast, the Pentagon’s procurement process isn’t exactly known for its speed. Acquisition of new technology is a lengthy, cumbersome process, and in the past, it’s been difficult for the Pentagon to deploy cutting-edge tech as it’s developed in the private sector.

Still, the DoD is actively seeking ways that it can take advantage of the strides being made by the domestic space industry. In orbit, the Space Development Agency (SDA) is spearheading the charge. Now part of the US Space Force, the SDA has a mandate to move fast to put newly emerging technologies into the warfighter’s hands.

The NDSA's origin story

The National Defense Space Architecture (NDSA) grew out of goals to break free from “legacy methods and culture.” In essence, the NDSA is a tactical LEO network designed to communicate missile warnings; position, navigation, and timing data; and other vital information to wherever it’s needed on the ground as quickly and securely as possible.

“It's going to enable that data creation and pointed deployment with the least possible latency so that the warfighter can actually do the missions that they need to do on a much more efficient basis,” Frank Turner, technical director of the SDA, told Payload.

The tranche system

To build such a complex system while still adhering to its “move fast” mandate, the NDSA is broken down into “tranches.” The agency has a set schedule in place to launch a new tranche, carrying a new generation of capabilities, in September of even-numbered years.

And…the trains leave on time. If a particular technology isn’t ready in time to launch on one tranche, it can be ready for the next one two years later.

The layers

The NDSA is organized into seven “layers,” each performing a vital function of the architecture. Some of these layers are constellations themselves, some are payloads, and some are not physical assets at all. The layers span Support, Transport, Tracking, Navigation, Battle Management, Custody, and Emerging Capabilities (Deterrence).

The next few years

The SDA is aiming to stick to its mandate, moving as quickly as possible over the next few years to get a functional architecture in place for the warfighter. As it's currently envisioned, the NDSA taps into many zeitgeisty space technology concepts, from optical links to on-orbit processing.

Keep reading…This was just a preview of Rachael’s full online feature, which goes deep on the NDSA, its technical underpinnings, and more.

Read the full thing here.

Meet Starshield, SpaceX’s Newest Product Line

On Friday, SpaceX added a new page to its website for Starshield. The product is billed as a secure satellite networking solution for government users and national security missions, and it marks the latest expansion of SpaceX’s portfolio of services.

Starshield’s initial focus spans three functions:

1. EO: Customers can launch sensing payloads and receive their data directly.

2. Comms: This could be thought of as “Starlink for defense.” Moreover, Starshield will use its now-standard laser links for government user networks, which will cut latency and enable continuous connections with the ground.

3. Hosted payloads: Starshield will build satellite buses for “the most demanding customer payload missions.”

Extra security baked in…Beyond the end-to-end encryption protocols standard in Starlink service, Starshield will use additional cryptographic methods for classified payloads and secure data transmission.

The flywheel keeps spinning…The synergies between Starlink and Starshield are clear as day. And the new national security-focused satellite division will also obviously leverage SpaceX launch capabilities that offer “expedient and economical access to space.” Rapid launch capabilities are a key focus for the Pentagon.

All about scale…Starlink has deployed 3,500+ satellites. Starshield could tap into the economies of scale SpaceX is striving towards with dishes, laser links, buses, and more, helping the company rapidly gain share in new markets like EO and hosted payload services.

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In Other News

• Space’s central role in the Ukraine war offers a glimpse of what’s to come in future conflicts, says USSF chief Gen. B. Chance Saltzman.

• NASA astronauts Josh Cassada and Frank Rubio completed a seven-hour spacewalk on Saturday to install the ISS’s third iROSA wing.

• Shenzhou 14 touched down in China yesterday. The crew—Chen Dong, Liu Yang, and Cai Xuzhe—spent roughly six months in space at the Tiangong station.

• Their return home means that China has fully completed the first crew rotation of its space station.

• Aerojet Rocketdyne’s ($AJRD) four RS-25 engines powering Artemis I performed flawlessly, per NASASpaceflight.

• Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry unveiled a Cargo Dragon that will be a part of a permanent exhibit set to open next spring.

• Starlink looks like it’s able to hold up to some pretty strong winds down in Antarctica…

The View from Space

Via Josh Cassada, one of the two astronauts who conducted a spacewalk over the weekend: