RRS-G program moves toward orbital deployment
The U.S. Space Force plans to begin launching a new satellite constellation designed to detect and track ground targets from orbit within the next two years.
Lt. Gen. Gregory Gagnon said the Resilient Radar System–Ground, or RRS-G, program is expected to enter its launch phase by 2028. Northrop Grumman is building the satellites, according to the senior Space Force official.
Officials had previously discussed plans to place Ground Moving Target Indicator, or GMTI, satellites in orbit by 2028. Until now, however, they had not publicly identified the specific program or the company responsible for developing the spacecraft.
Space-based radar designed for all-weather operations
The space-based GMTI system is intended to detect, track and provide imagery of ground and maritime targets during both day and night and under a wide range of weather conditions.
The architecture would reduce reliance on crewed and uncrewed aircraft, which currently perform most ground-target tracking missions. The Pentagon has sought for years to shift that mission, as well as the tracking of airborne targets, to space-based platforms.
The Space Force says the system will provide the data needed to detect targets, maintain custody of them and shorten the timeline between identification and engagement. The broader objective is to support long-range strikes in highly contested and non-permissive environments.
New unit established to support GMTI missions
Last month, the Space Force created its first dedicated space-based sensing and tracking unit. The 77th Surveillance Squadron will help develop operations for GMTI missions and the future RRS-G constellation.
The Space Force is working with the National Reconnaissance Office on the ground-target tracking mission. At the same time, the service is developing satellites capable of tracking airborne targets through the Airborne Moving Target Indicator, or AMTI, program.
The first satellite in a planned AMTI constellation was expected to launch this month. The Space Force aims to have an initial AMTI capability operational by 2028, following a multibillion-dollar award to SpaceX in May.
The timeline for achieving an operational GMTI constellation remains unclear.
Billions allocated for tracking targets on the ground and in the air
The Space Force’s fiscal 2027 baseline budget request includes $1.02 billion for GMTI procurement. Separately, the service is seeking more than $7 billion in additional reconciliation funding for the AMTI mission.
It is also requesting approximately $1.1 billion for a separate research and development effort, using a combination of baseline and reconciliation funds.
U.S. Space Command is already developing the operational concepts needed to employ these systems. Planning is being coordinated with the Space Force, other combatant commands and intelligence-community organizations involved in monitoring airborne and ground targets.
Commercial companies to support space surveillance
Alongside the development of military satellite constellations, the Space Force plans to award contracts to commercial companies for space domain awareness services.
Space domain awareness involves tracking objects in orbit and assessing their behavior and potential intent. Last year, four companies received pilot contracts under the Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve, or CASR, initiative, which is intended to integrate commercial capabilities into military operations, particularly during wartime.
The next step is to award contracts for operational space-domain-awareness services. Space Force officials say those agreements will be issued soon, while broader commercial support is being considered for a range of additional missions.
