The case for disaggregation of U.S. MILSATCOM

The 50-year history of U.S. military satellite communications (MILSATCOM) has been one of aggregation of mission capabilities over time. The result has been today's limited number of large satellites of ever-increasing complexity. Though new capabilities have been fielded and proven valuable, the consequences of this approach have been profound, resulting in fewer assets, increased risk and cost, and increasing delays in the fielding of new capabilities to support the warfighter. Recent budgetary constraints combined with program performance issues have forced a reevaluation of future requirements, procurement approaches, and roadmaps. This changing environment has been reflected in the cancellation of the Transformational Satellite Communications System (TSAT) and National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) programs, and the reexamination of the future of other space programs.