Programmable Satellite Transceiver for Responsive Space

As the demand increases for more responsive, lower cost space operations, the lead-time for fielding space assets will need to significantly decrease. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) operationally responsive space (ORS) initiative is pushing the boundary of quick deployment of space assets with an objective goal to integrate and launch a satellite within six days. In order to meet this objective, AFRL has proposed a concept of satellite subsystems designed into intelligent modules that support a plug-in-play architecture in order to minimize integration time. One of these critical subsystem modules is the S-band command, control, and telemetry (CC&T) radio.