Carthage Strategic Satellite Network
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The Carthage Strategic Satellite Network is a broad constellation of satellites providing communication, navigation, intelligence, and missile defense capabilities to the Carthage Defense Forces and the Carthaginian government. Formed in 2003 through the administrative unification of previously independent satellite networks, the constellation is managed by the Carthage Air Forces on behalf of the greater Defense Forces and civilian government agencies. Satellite design, procurement, and funding is carried out by a number of related agencies, while tracking and operation is the responsibility of the CAF Space Command. The network is composed of separate navigation, communication, and intelligence components, including specialized subcomponents such as imagery intelligence within the larger intelligence apparatus.
While the network comprises the single largest constellation of satellites operated by the Carthaginian government, for political reasons it does not include purely civilian satellites with no military purpose, such as scientific satellites launched and operated by the Carthage Space Research Agency or other civilian agencies such as the Department of Science, Energy, and Technology.
History
Since the 1950s, the Carthage Air Forces have been the primary operator of satellites for the Carthaginian government, maintaining the Carthage Global Navigation System (CGNS) constellation as well as the Defense Forces Orbital Communication Backbone (OCB) and the Multi-spectrum Intelligence Network (MSIN). Other networks were operated by separate branches, including the Navy's Ocean Surveillance and Tracking System (OSTS) and the Army's Tactical Command Network (TCN). Each constellation was managed by a separate office and procured from separate budgets, with some systems developed and launched by the Air Forces and some by independent government agencies, such as the National Reconnaissance and Survey Agency (NRSA).
As the number of separate constellations expanded, criticism from factions of the legislature and expenditure watchdog groups regarding administrative inefficiencies mounted. In response to these claims, a report released by the Legislative Budget Analysis Group (LBAG) indicated that at best only minor savings would be achieved through the unification of the various program offices at the risk of potential program bloat from a single unified office. Despite these warnings, in 2003, at the urging of the Senate, the Defense Forces established the Strategic Satellite Network program office to provide oversight over previously independent satellite networks. The move consolidated all of the military satellite constellations under a unified management structure, although each division within the office was given relatively broad independence.
Composition
The CSSN is composed of four primary elements, providing communication, navigation, intelligence gathering, and high-altitude missile defense capabilities. Each element is composed of smaller subcomponents providing specific capabilities ranging from signals intelligence to meteorological observation to high-bandwidth communications.
Intelligence element
The intelligence element is primarily developed and funded by the National Reconnaissance and Survey Agency, and uses a series of reconnaissance satellites to provide intelligence on foreign countries. The system provides both strategic information on force dispositions, deployments, and facilities as well as tactical information for battlefield commanders. Due to its broad coverage, it is the largest and most expensive element of the CSSN.
Imagery intelligence
Strategic imagery intelligence is provided by a network of large satellites, primarily the UMTI-20 Jupiter series. Introduced in 2004, the UMTI-20 series is believed to have a significantly larger mirror than previous satellites, as large as 16 meters (52 ft), allowing for significantly improved resolution. Sixteen satellites are believed to be in orbit, each launched at a cost of approximately NSD$2.5 billion. Each maintains a sun-synchronous orbit timed to allow optimal observation at the morning and afternoon hours. It is believed the satellites are capable of providing a resolution of 10 centimeters (3.9 in) in normal atmospheric conditions, sufficient to read the rivet lines on parked aircraft and identify hatches on a tank. The mirror arrangement is also theorized to provide a very wide field of view, allowing large areas to be surveyed even at extreme angles. Compared to previous generations, the UMTI-20 series is also harder to detect by radar, indicating the incorporation of stealth features, and may also include ELINT and SIGINT capabilities.
Supplementing this is the UMTI-27 Uranus series, first launched in 2013. Unlike the low-Earth orbit UMTI-20, the UMTI-27 is placed in a geostationary orbit, using an enormous 20-meter (66 ft) membrane lens to resolve images. Despite the size of the lens, it is believed that the UMTI-27 series has a lower resolution and is believed to weigh less than the UMTI-20 series, although its placement allows it to view up to 40% of the Earth's surface at once. These provide supplementary reconnaissance capability across a wide array of locales, allowing for observation without waiting for the revisit of an existing satellite. Twelve are believed to be in service, providing full redundant coverage of the Earth's surface.
Tactical reconnaissance is provided by the SMTI-25 Ceres series, jointly developed by the Air Forces and the Army. The SMTI-25 is a microsatellite design using membrane lens technology to allow a 1-meter (3.3 ft) lens to fit in a compact launch package. In low orbit, each satellite is estimated to be capable of providing 30 centimeters (12 in), and can be downlinked via the communication backbone directly to commanders in the field. The compact size and relatively low cost allow a large number to be lofted in a single launch and makes the constellation resistant to anti-satellite weaponry. It is believed as many as 800-1,000 may be in operation, launched primarily as secondary payloads in other military satellite launches.
Surface radar scans are provided by the UMTS-21 Saturn satellite series, equipped with a synthetic aperture radar along with a microwave scatterometer and microwave radiometer for maritime observation. The primary purpose of the Saturn constellation is maritime and ground surveillance, using the onboard synthetic aperture radar to detect ships and terrain features (including vehicles). The radar array on each satellite can cover a 400-kilometer (250 mi) swath of the Earth's surface in stripmap mode or a 6x6 km (4x4 mi) zone with 30-centimeter (12 in) accuracy against ground and sea targets. It is capable of tracking both ground and sea targets and via polarized radar techniques can use wake detection to calculate a ship's course to within one degree of actual heading. The microwave scatterometer provides monitoring of windspeed conditions as a supplement to the meteorological observation system, and the radiometer can detect the heat wakes left by submerged nuclear submarines. First launched in 1999, 238 satellites are believed to be in service to provide quick revisit intervals.
Signals intelligence
The Ocean Surveillance and Tracking System (OSTS) is composed of UMTE-22 Mars ELINT satellites designed to detect and locate major radar and radio sources, specifically surface warships. Using delta time extrapolation techniques and analysis of radar bands and frequencies, the current constellation of 48 satellites can detect, identify, and provide tracking information on emitting surface vessels. Combined with a known radar signature analysis provided by the Saturn constellation and possibly spectral imagery provided by the Uranus or Jupiter series, a combined warship profile can be generated for later study and use in vessel identification. It is believed the satellites may also possess onboard infrared imaging systems to improve independent data-gathering capabilities. Data collected by the OSTS can be relayed directly to fleet commanders on station with an estimated time delay of only two minutes, allowing the system to be used as a tactical aid against emitting targets.
The older UMTE-17 Firaxis constellation also remains in operation for ELINT coverage. While OSTS was developed and operated by the Punic Navy for warship tracking, Firaxis was developed by the Air Forces for monitoring of land-based radar emissions, particularly early-warning radar sites to develop a more complete picture of foreign radar capabilities. Under the current unified system, the constellation is to be phased out over the next five years, with its mission split between other constellations, largely the upgraded OSTS network.
The UMTN-26 Pluto provides signals intelligence capabilities. Designed to intercept and eavesdrop on radio transmissions, the satellites are believed to be centered around a massive central receiving antenna, allowing them to detect even faint transmissions from their high orbit. Experts have speculated that the satellites themselves may be as large as 150 meters in diameter when fully unfurled, with a weight of over 7,000 kg (11,000 lb). It is not known how many satellites are in active service, but the Carthaginian government has a total of 250 GEO slots allocated to satellites of undisclosed purpose. Some of these are allocated to the Saturn constellation, while others are believed to be allocated to communications or other experimental purposes. Anywhere between 12-24 Pluto satellites may be in operation, and their distance from Earth makes observation by amateur observers difficult.
In addition to dedicated satellites, it is speculated that a number of other reconnaissance and defense satellites have SIGINT and ELINT capabilities for both analysis and self-protection.
Communications element
The communications element provides the backbone for inter-satellite communication as well as the relay of ground communications in a secure and timely manner. It is composed of several satellite types in different orbits, providing high-bandwidth, multi-band coverage. Modern satellites incorporate jam-resistant transmission capabilities and use frequency-hopping techniques to reduce the probability of intercept when communicating with devices capable of receiving signals. They also retain backwards compatibility with legacy systems with more restricted bandwidth and frequency limitations.
Medium orbit
The High Availability Communications Segment (HACS) is composed of 40 UMTC-30 Hermes satellites in geostationary orbit, providing 44 GHz EHF band uplink and 20 GHz SHF band downlink capabilities. Each provides low, medium, and high data-rate signals ranging from 75 bits/s to 12.5 Mbits/s. Due to the much lower bandwidth than low orbit constellations and vulnerability to rain fade, HACS is primarily used as a command relay system for its constant availability between 65 degrees north and south latitude. It is also responsible for relaying signals from observation satellites in geostationary orbit to ground stations for analysis.
The High Bandwidth Communications Segment (HBCS) is composed of the UMTC-32 Mercury series, providing the bulk of the communications element's bandwidth. Each satellite is capable of providing a combined 3.2 Gbit/s of capacity between its X- and Ku-band spot beam antennas. Also located in geostationary orbit, the 60 satellites of the HBCS provide robust, secure bandwidth to users within each satellite's field of coverage. Coverage areas are designed to overlap between satellites, allowing for a level of redundancy as well as additional capacity should communications requirements exceed the availability of a single satellite.
Low orbit
The Low Orbit Communications Segment (LOCS) is composed of UMTC-33 Caller satellites in a polar orbit, with 88 satellites divided between eight orbital planes. The system is designed to provide coverage at high latitudes and over the poles, a region which is not well covered by the HACS and HBCS networks. Each satellite is capable of handling up to 1.2 Gbit/s of bandwidth through its steerable antennas. While providing coverage of the polar regions, the system also provides continuous coverage of all other latitudes, supplementing the bandwidth provided by other networks. Additional polar coverage is provided via shared use agreement with the Russian Polar Communications Network.
The Tactical Resilient Communications Segment (TRCS) is the newest segment, using SMTC-24 Haumea microsatellites to provide a more robust and survivable communications backbone for soldiers at the tactical level. Using a similar satellite body to the SMTI-25 Ceres, the SMTC-24 can be launched in great numbers to provide supplementary coverage in theaters where high bandwidth is required, or where traditional satellites are threatened by anti-satellite weaponry. Each satellite supports data rates of up to 50 MBit/s and can cross-link with others in the network to provide a communications network independent of ground relay stations.
Initially funded, launched, and developed as a separate program, the Carthage Global Navigation System entered service in 1989 as one of the relative handful of major military projects to be completed in the 1980s. The first satellites in the constellation were launched in 1982, with the final satellite launched in 1988 and the system certified for service on March 15, 1989, although the system had already been in use in limited capacity for several years prior. Initially developed to improve the accuracy of submarine-launched ballistic missiles and as a navigation system for aircraft, the network has seen widespread use in both the military and civilian sectors.
The current network is composed of 36 satellites in four orbital planes, with eight satellites active in each plane plus one orbital spare. While only 24 satellites are necessary to provide global navigation coverage, the network baseline is for 28 active satellites plus four orbital spares, for a total of 32 satellites. The current constellation size is due to the accelerated launch timeline for the Gen 4 satellite series, due to reliability issues with the Mark 3 series. Despite these issues, the Gen 3 series is expected to be retained in service until the end of their projected service life. The entire Gen 3 constellation is expected to be fully replaced by 2016 with Gen 4 satellites, including six ground spares available for launch.
The CNGS offers several services to military and civilian users, and with the introduction of the Mark 4 satellite series incorporates improved search and rescue functions. These services include:
- Open-access navigation
- Provided free of charge to any user with a mass-market device, with 1 meter navigational accuracy. This is the most widely used service, commonly found in both dedicated handheld devices as well as smartphones and other consumer electronics.
- Commercial navigation
- Provided to commercial clients on a subscription basis, with centimetric accuracy. Unlike the open-access signal, the commercial navigation signal is encrypted to prevent unauthorized use.
- Safety of life navigation
- Like open-access navigation, safety of life navigation is provided to all users and is designed to provide the most reliable signal possible, with provisions for warning messages in the event of positional errors.
- Government services
- Maximum-precision navigation provided to government and military users. Unlike the other navigation services, the government service uses a different encryption scheme and different sections of the existing bandwidth area to avoid interfering with civilian navigation signals. It is designed for continuous availability even if other services are discontinued.
- Search and rescue
- New Mark 4 satellites incorporate the ability to receive and transmit basic signals to ground devices, allowing distress calls to be received and relayed to search and rescue agencies, and messages to be relayed back to the distressed party informing them of the status of the rescue effort.
The new Gen 4 satellites incorporate improved signal strength and additional civilian band signals, allowing for improved reception and better accuracy for all users. In addition, two new military-band spot beam antennas have been added to allow for increased signal strength in areas of interest, to counter the effects of jamming. To support these new features, the Gen 4 satellites feature larger, higher-power solar arrays and a much more robust processing backbone.
In addition to navigational functions, all CNGS satellites since Gen 2 have incorporated silicon photodiode sensors and X-ray, gamma ray, and neutron radiation detection equipment for the monitoring of nuclear tests, replacing the previous Strain series of monitoring satellites.
Defense element
The defense element of the CSSN is designed to provide ballistic missile detection, tracking, and intercept capabilities for use against strategic nuclear missiles. It is primarily composed of two components, the detection/tracking and interception elements, but is supplemented by ground-based components including early-warning and tracking radar and ground-based interceptors.
Detection component
The detection component is composed of a mix of geostationary and low-orbit satellites designed to detect and track ballistic missile launches throughout all phases of flight. The low-orbit segment is composed of 72 UMDI-48 Demeter satellites, designed to use a set of infrared sensors to detect, acquire, and track ballistic missiles from launch through reentry. Onboard laser ranging devices and UV sensors provide supplementary data to reduce susceptibility to detection countermeasures. In later phases of the flight, the UMDI-72 constellation is also intended to assist in discriminating between reentry vehicles and decoys or debris released from the missile bus after separation.
The geostationary UMDR-49 Persephone is designed to provide wide-area detection of ballistic missile launches ranging from large ICBMs to smaller theater ballistic missiles. Twelve large satellites are believed to be in service, using a combination of radar and IR sensors to detect and track missile launches. The combination of two constellations provides global coverage of ballistic missile launches with sufficient downlink capability to feed targeting information to ground-based control and launch facilities.
The detection component is intended to be supplemented by ground-based sensors, either land-based early-warning and tracking sensors or newer sea-based ballistic missile defense radars such as the SW/ETS-973 Savant. More compact mobile sensors such as the Tarnhelm system's GW/ETS-982 Farseer may also be integrated for use against shorter-ranged ballistic missile threats. The significantly increased data volume from the combination of orbital and ground-based sensors has also required significant overhauls to ground-based control centers to handle the increased processing requirements.
Interception component
The Mark 6 Orbital Defense Interceptor (ODI) is the current foundation of the interceptor component, developed to provide hit-to-kill capability against mid-course ballistic missiles. The interception component reached operational status in 1994 using the Mark 3 ODI, and all subsequent designs have been improvements on the basic Mark 3 design.