From California, the first 21 satellites from a new constellation, which is to become the basis for the US missile defense system, were successfully launched. This is the first time that the space segment will be fully integrated into the combat operations of American troops. This was reported by the publication Arstechnica with reference to Pentagon data, writes UNN.
Details
The launch took place on Wednesday from Vandenberg Base using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The satellites will enter orbit at an altitude of about 1000 km. Within nine months, the Pentagon plans to add another 133 vehicles to form the first generation of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture network.
We have put into orbit an array of vehicles in support of the new architecture. This is the result of six years of work
How the new system differs
Previously, the US relied on several expensive satellites in geostationary orbit (36,000 km). Each cost more than $1 billion and was vulnerable to attacks. The new network will consist of dozens of cheaper vehicles ($14-15 million per unit) located in low orbit. The loss of some satellites will not affect the operation of the entire system. They will be able to track the launch of ballistic and hypersonic missiles and transmit data in real time without line-of-sight limitations.
With the help of satellites, the military will get global coverage of the Link 16 system – NATO tactical communication, which until now only worked at short distances.
Now we can transmit data not only for a few miles, but also, for example, from Hawaii to Guam via space
Further plans
Full deployment of the first tranche requires 10 launches. The satellites will receive inter-satellite laser channels to form a single network. By 2027, it should be operational in the Indo-Pacific region, where the US is preparing to counter China. In the future, this architecture will become part of the "Golden Dome" project - a global missile defense shield, estimated at $175 billion.
This is the first time that multiple layers are integrated into one system to combat various threats