Future Imagery Architecture

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USA-215, believed to be the first operational payload resulting from the FIA program, crosses Cassiopeia FIA Radar 1 satellite.jpg
USA-215, believed to be the first operational payload resulting from the FIA program, crosses Cassiopeia

Future Imagery Architecture (FIA) was a program awarded to Boeing to design a new generation of optical and radar imaging US reconnaissance satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). In 2005 NRO director Donald Kerr recommended the project's termination, and the optical component of the program was finally cancelled in September 2005 by Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte. FIA has been called by The New York Times "perhaps the most spectacular and expensive failure in the 50-year history of American spy satellite projects." [1] Despite the optical component's cancellation, the radar component, known as Topaz, has continued, with four satellites in orbit as of February 2016.

Contents

History

Contractors

Launch of USA-215 Atlas V 501 launch with NROL-41.jpg
Launch of USA-215

In May 1999 Raytheon was awarded the contract for the deployment and integration of the ground infrastructure portion of FIA, the Mission Integration and Development (MIND) Program. In September 1999 the contract for the development, launch integration, and operations of FIA was awarded to the Boeing company, and its subcontractors Hughes Space and Communications Company, Raytheon, Kodak and Harris. [2] [3] The initial development budget was US$5 billion for the first 5 years, and the total lifetime budget was US$10 billion. A NRO evaluation team estimated that Lockheed Martin's competing proposal would require about US$1 billion (inflation adjusted US$ 1.76 billion in 2022) more to implement than Boeing's proposal. Boeing's promised cost-saving relied in a large part on the utilisation of commercial off-the-shelf hardware and software. [4]

Research and development challenges

The exact scope and mission of FIA are classified, although the head of the NRO said in 2001 that the project would focus on creating smaller and lighter satellites. [5] Some industry experts believe that a key objective is to make the satellites more difficult to attack, possibly by placing them in higher orbits. Because of the large size of the program, as well as number of workers involved, some experts have compared it to the 1940s Manhattan Project. [5]

The project encountered a number of technical challenges. The required traveling-wave tube for the Radar Imaging proved to be highly challenging, resulting in significant schedule delays. Some of the problems with traveling-wave tubes were traced to charge built-up, while crossing radiation belts, resulting in electrical sparking, which in turn created carbon tracks, ultimately shorting the traveling-wave tubes. [6]

The original optical specification could not be met, requiring a redesign. The system for the actuated Secondary Mirror positioning was difficult to stabilise, and required the introduction of additional struts and launch-locks. In 1Q FY03 Boeing shut down their Battery Division, and in 3Q FY03 their Power Electronics manufacturing facility in order to correct defective validation procedures and manufacturing processes. NRO subsequently directed Boeing to bring a 2nd, more experienced battery manufacturer into the project. Honeywell supplied radiation hardened HX-3000 ASICs, which due to their low power usage and high speed had been selected to serve multiple functions in the project (BRAM, ADD, EBWC, ERBC, ...) required several respins, and interventions to fix yield issues and manufacturing errors. In October 2003, issues with Control moment gyroscopes were delaying progress with the satellite bus. A NRO presentation on April 20, 2004 reported many issues with parts manufacturing and quality, and presented a new IMINT baseline. [1] [6] [7]

Termination of IMINT FIA

By 2005, an estimated US$10 billion had been spent by the US government on FIA, including Boeing's accumulated cost overrun of US$4 to 5 billion, [8] and it was estimated to have an accumulated cost of US$25 billion over the ensuing twenty years. [9]

In reply to a request by the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, NRO on May 6, 2005 provided estimated termination costs for the i) full FIA program, ii) IMINT FIA, and iii) for a rescope of FIA into a new procurement program. This was followed by a report of an NRO appointed tiger team on August 12, 2005. [7] In September 2005 DNI John Negroponte terminated the FIA IMINT contract with Boeing because of the cost overruns and delays of the delivery date. [10] Instead Lockheed Martin received a contract to restart production of two legacy KH-11 Kennen satellite system with new upgrades. [1]

In 2012 NRO donated two sophisticated but unneeded space telescopes, reportedly built for FIA, to NASA for use in astronomy. [11]

IMINT radar

The contract for the imaging radar satellite remained with Boeing. [1] [12] In September 2010 NRO director Bruce Carlson stated that while most NRO "programs are operating on schedule and on cost", one program was "700 percent over in schedule and 300 percent over in budget". [13]

Technological innovations

Electro optical imaging

The optical system was specified to provide both high angular resolution via image stabilisation and wide angle (large field of view) capability. The optical telescope assets later transferred to NASA feature the following specifications and innovations:

Another key component of FIA was to launch and orbit at least 10 satellites, which would provide a 2.5 times higher cadence of viewing opportunities than the previous EOI constellation. [15]

Radar imaging

The radar imaging system was specified to provide better image quality than previous system by employing a very strong radar signal.

Launches

The first operational FIA Radar satellite, USA-215 or NROL-41, [16] was launched on 21 September 2010. It is in a retrograde 1,100 km × 1,105 km (684 mi × 687 mi) orbit inclined by 123 degrees, [17] an orbital configuration indicating it is an SAR satellite. [16] On 3 April 2012, a second satellite, USA-234 or NROL-25, was launched into a similar orbit. [18] [19]

The earlier USA-193 satellite, launched in 2006, is believed to have been a technology demonstration satellite intended to test and develop systems for the FIA radar programme. [20] However, it failed immediately after launch, and was subsequently destroyed by a missile.

Spacecraft

Name COSPAR ID
SATCAT No. 		Launch date
(UTC)		Launch vehicleLaunch site Launch designation Orbit Decay dateRemarks
USA-215 2010-046A
37162		21 September 2010
04:03:30		 Atlas V 501 VAFB SLC-3E NROL-411,102 km × 1,105 km
(685 mi × 687 mi) x 123°		in orbit
USA-234 2012-014A
38109		3 April 2012
23:12:57		 Delta IV M+(5,2) VAFB SLC-6 NROL-25Apx 1,100 km × 1,100 km
(680 mi × 680 mi) x 123°		in orbit
USA-247 2013-072A
39462		6 December 2013
07:14:30		 Atlas V 501 VAFB SLC-3E NROL-391,108 km × 1,113 km
(688 mi × 692 mi) x 123° [21] 		in orbit
USA-267 2016-010A
41334		10 February 2016
11:40:32		 Delta IV M+(5,2) VAFB SLC-6 NROL-451,077 km × 1,086 km
(669 mi × 675 mi) x 123.0° [22] 		in orbit
USA-281 2018-005A
43145		12 January 2018
22:10		 Delta IV M+(5,2) VAFB SLC-6 NROL-471,048 km × 1,057 km
(651 mi × 657 mi) x 106° [23] 		in orbit

Successor program

USA-224, launched on 20 January 2011, is believed to be the first of the large post-FIA optical reconnaissance satellites built by Lockheed. [24]

The failed FIA program is to be succeeded by the Next Generation Electro-Optical (NGEO) program. NGEO is intended as a lower-risk modular system, which is capable of being modified incrementally over its lifetime. [25]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reconnaissance satellite</span> Satellite that covertly collects data for intelligence or military applications

A reconnaissance satellite or intelligence satellite is an Earth observation satellite or communications satellite deployed for military or intelligence applications.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Imagery intelligence</span> Intelligence gathered by means of imagery

Imagery intelligence (IMINT), pronounced as either as Im-Int or I-Mint, is an intelligence gathering discipline wherein imagery is analyzed to identify information of intelligence value. Imagery used for defense intelligence purposes is generally collected via satellite imagery or aerial photography.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Reconnaissance Office</span> US intelligence agency in charge of satellite intelligence

The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) is a member of the United States Intelligence Community and an agency of the United States Department of Defense which designs, builds, launches, and operates the reconnaissance satellites of the U.S. federal government, and provides satellite intelligence to several government agencies, particularly signals intelligence (SIGINT) to the NSA, imagery intelligence (IMINT) to the NGA, and measurement and signature intelligence (MASINT) to the DIA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KH-11 KENNEN</span> Type of American spy satellite

The KH-11 KENNEN is a type of reconnaissance satellite first launched by the American National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) in December 1976. Manufactured by Lockheed in Sunnyvale, California, the KH-11 was the first American spy satellite to use electro-optical digital imaging, and so offer real-time optical observations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Satellite Data System</span> American military satellite communication system

The Satellite Data System (SDS) is a system of United States military communications satellites. At least three generations have been used: SDS-1 from 1976 to 1987; SDS-2 from 1989 to 1996; SDS-3 from 1998 to the present. It is believed that these satellites were known by the code name Quasar. The first generation was named simply 'SDS', the second generation was named 'Quasar' and the third generation each had their own designations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lacrosse (satellite)</span> Series of American terrestrial radar imaging reconnaissance satellites

Lacrosse or Onyx is a series of terrestrial radar imaging reconnaissance satellites operated by the United States National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). While not officially confirmed by the NRO or the Government of the United States prior to 2008, there was widespread evidence pointing to its existence, including one NASA website. In July 2008, the NRO itself declassified the existence of its synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation.

Misty is reportedly the name of a classified project by the United States National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) to operate stealthy reconnaissance satellites. The satellites are conjectured to be photo reconnaissance satellites and the program has been the subject of atypically public debates about its worthiness in the defense budget since December 2004. The estimated project costs in 2004 were, at the time of statement, US$9.5 billion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 6</span> Launch pad

Space Launch Complex 6 at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California is a launch pad and support area. The site was originally developed for Titan IIIM rockets and the Manned Orbiting Laboratory, but these were cancelled before construction of SLC-6 was complete. The complex was later rebuilt to serve as the west coast launch site for the Space Shuttle, but went unused due to budget, safety and political considerations. The pad was subsequently used for several Athena rocket launches before being modified to support the Delta IV launch vehicle family, which used the pad since 2006. The pad sat vacant for a few months after the launch of NROL-91 on September 24, 2022. On April 24, 2023, SLD 30 announced that they had leased SLC-6 to SpaceX.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Launch Alliance</span> Joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Boeing

United Launch Alliance, LLC (ULA) is an American aerospace manufacturer, defense contractor and launch service provider that manufactures and operates a number of rocket vehicles that launch spacecrafts into orbits around Earth and other bodies in the Solar System.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">USA-193</span> Military satellite

USA-193, also known as NRO Launch 21, was a United States military reconnaissance satellite launched on 14 December 2006. It was the first launch conducted by the United Launch Alliance (ULA). Owned by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), the craft's precise function and purpose were classified. On 21 February 2008, it was destroyed as a result of Operation Burnt Frost.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">USA-202</span>

USA 202, previously NRO Launch 26 or NROL-26, is a classified spacecraft which is operated by the United States National Reconnaissance Office. It is an Advanced Orion ELINT satellite. According to Aviation Week, it "fundamentally involves America's biggest, most secret and expensive military spacecraft on board the world's largest rocket." The combined cost of the spacecraft and launch vehicle has been estimated to be over US$2 billion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Burnt Frost</span> Military operation to destroy a non-functioning U.S. satellite

Operation Burnt Frost was a military operation to intercept and destroy non-functioning U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) satellite USA-193. The mission was described by the Missile Defense Agency as a "mission of safeguarding human life against the uncontrolled re-entry of a 5,000-pound satellite containing over 1,000 pounds of hazardous hydrazine propellant". The launch occurred on 20 February 2008 at approximately 10:26 p.m. EST from the USS Lake Erie, using a heavily modified Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) to shoot down the satellite. A few minutes after launch, the SM-3 intercepted its target and successfully completed its mission. The operation received scrutiny from other countries, mainly China and Russia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">USA-224</span> US spy satellite

USA-224, also known as NROL-49, is an American reconnaissance satellite. Launched in 2011 to replace the decade-old USA-161 satellite, it is the fifteenth KH-11 optical imaging satellite to reach orbit.

USA-227, known before launch as NRO Launch 27 (NROL-27), is an American communications satellite which was launched in 2011. It is operated by the United States National Reconnaissance Office.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">USA-215</span> American radar reconnaissance satellite

USA-215, also known as NRO Launch 41 or NROL-41, is an American reconnaissance satellite, operated by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). Launched in 2010, it has been identified as the first in a new series of imaging radar satellites, developed as part of the Future Imagery Architecture (FIA) programme, to replace the earlier Lacrosse spacecraft.

USA-234, also known as NRO Launch 25 or NROL-25, is an American reconnaissance satellite, operated by the National Reconnaissance Office. Launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in 2012, it has been identified as the second radar imaging satellite to be launched as part of the Future Imagery Architecture programme.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 National Reconnaissance Office space telescope donation to NASA</span> Declassification and donation to NASA of two identical space telescopes

The 2012 National Reconnaissance Office space telescope donation to NASA was the declassification and donation to NASA of two identical space telescopes by the United States National Reconnaissance Office. The donation has been described by scientists as a substantial improvement over NASA's current Hubble Space Telescope. Although the telescopes themselves were given to NASA at no cost, the space agency must still pay for the cost of instruments and electronics for the telescopes, as well as the satellites to house them and the launch of the telescopes. On February 17, 2016, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope was formally designated as a mission by NASA, predicated on using one of the space telescopes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">USA-245</span> American reconnaissance satellite

USA-245 or NRO Launch 65 (NROL-65) is an American reconnaissance satellite which is operated by the National Reconnaissance Office. Launched in August 2013, it is the last Block 4 KH-11 reconnaissance satellite, and the last official spacecraft to be launched in the Keyhole program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">USA-247</span> American reconnaissance satellite

USA-247, also known as NRO Launch 39 or NROL-39, is an American reconnaissance satellite, operated by the National Reconnaissance Office and launched in December 2013. The USA-247 launch received a relatively high level of press coverage due to the mission's choice of logo, which depicts an octopus sitting astride the globe with the motto "Nothing Is Beyond Our Reach". The logo was extensively criticized in light of the surveillance disclosures in July 2013.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Philip Taubman (November 11, 2007). "In Death of Spy Satellite Program, Lofty Plans and Unrealistic Bids". The New York Times . Retrieved May 3, 2010.
  2. ↑ "NRO Announces FIA Contract Winner" (PDF). NRO. 1999-09-03.
  3. ↑ "Boeing Team Wins Future Imagery Architecture". Archived from the original on November 12, 2006. Retrieved May 20, 2007.
  4. ↑ "Future Imagery Architecture [FIA] - Phase C". Global Security.
  5. 1 2 Sullivan, Laura. "A peek into secrets most jealously guarded", Baltimore Sun , September 8, 2001. Retrieved October 10, 2006.
  6. 1 2 Ford, Dan (July 2004). "Oral Histories: Robert Kohler". American Institute of Physics.
  7. 1 2 "IMINT Responses to Congressional Questions from the FIA 11 Jul Review" (PDF). NRO. 2003-07-11.
  8. ↑ "Future Imagery Architecture [FIA] - 2005 Restructuring". Global Security.
  9. ↑ Pae, Peter. "Massive Spy-Satellite Program to Cost Billions Archived 2007-06-09 at the Wayback Machine ", Los Angeles Times , March 18, 2001. Retrieved October 10, 2006.
  10. ↑ Charles P. Vick. "Future Imagery Architecture". globalsecurity.org.
  11. ↑ Ferster, Warren (2012-06-08). "Donated Space Telescopes are Remnants of Failed NRO Program". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2013-05-31.
  12. ↑ Berkowitz, Bruce (2011-09-01). "The NRO at 50 years: A brief History" (PDF). NRO.
  13. ↑ Bruce Carlson (2010-09-13). "National Reconnaissance Office Update" (PDF). Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-12-06. Retrieved 2010-11-25.
  14. ↑ "NRO-NASA Hardware Communications Plan" (PDF). Retrieved 2023-02-09.
  15. ↑ James Bamford (May 18, 2003). "Big Brother Is Tracking You. Without a Warrant". The New York Times . Retrieved Mar 4, 2021.
  16. 1 2 "SeeSat-L Sep-10 : Updated elements". SeeSat-L . 2010-09-24. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  17. ↑ "SeeSat-L Oct-10 : Updated elements". SeeSat-L . Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  18. ↑ Ray, Justin (4 April 2012). "Delta 4 rocket successfully lofts surveillance satellite". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  19. ↑ Molczan, Ted (6 April 2012). "NROL-25: search TLE update". Seesat. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  20. ↑ John Pike. "FIA - RADSAT Spacecraft Family". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2016-02-16.
  21. ↑ Peat, Chris (22 January 2015). "USA 247 - Orbit". Heavens-Above. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  22. ↑ Peat, Chris (12 February 2016). "USA 267 - Orbit". Heavens-Above. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  23. ↑ Langbroek, Marco (22 January 2018). "TOPAZ/FIA Radar 5, the NROL-47 payload". SatTrackCam Leiden. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  24. ↑ "10 Who Made a Difference in Space: Bruce Carlson, NRO Director". Space News . 29 August 2011. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
  25. ↑ Dr. Bruce Berkowitz (September 2011). "The National Reconnaissance Office At 50 Years: A Brief History" (PDF). Center for the Study of National Reconnaissance. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-10-15. Retrieved 2011-10-24.
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