The Space Rapid Capabilities Office (SpRCO) plans to award contracts to two vendors by the end of the year to demonstrate the feasibility of equipping Space Force satellites with small, cost-effective on-board radar systems. These systems are designed to provide early warning of potential threats from nearby satellites.
Enhancing „Own-Ship Awareness” for National Security Satellites
The planned $3 million awards, each spanning 24 months, are part of a broader SpRCO initiative to promote real-time „own-ship awareness” for U.S. national security satellites. This effort aims to address the growing threats to U.S. satellites from Chinese and Russian counter-space capabilities.
Pentagon officials acknowledge that the existing system for monitoring the space domain and identifying space-based threats is inadequate. Improvements are a top priority for both the Space Force and U.S. Space Command.
Space Domain Awareness as a Foundation for Orbital Warfare
U.S. military space leaders are increasingly recognizing space domain awareness as a foundational capability for „orbital warfare.” This involves not only enabling U.S. satellites to avoid threats from adversaries but also facilitating joint force „effectors” on the ground, in the air, at sea, and in space to target enemy satellites and spacecraft.
Leveraging Commercial Capabilities for Rapid Deployment
The SpRCO is focused on rapidly integrating commercially available capabilities into the Space Force to enhance its warfighting capabilities. The office has several projects underway to develop the underlying technologies required for equipping future satellites for orbital warfare missions.
Similar to radar warning receivers on aircraft, the on-board satellite radar systems would detect and identify incoming radar signals, alerting operators if another object is approaching and whether it is being tracked or targeted using radar.
Early Prototypes and Future Integration Plans
The SpRCO revealed in December 2023 that three early prototypes for on-board threat warning had been launched that year. In March 2025, SpRCO Director Kelly Hammett stated that the prototypes had been a „quasi-operational success” in monitoring Chinese capabilities to pinpoint the location of U.S. satellites.
While those prototypes were carried on a commercial satellite built by Northrop Grumman, the new sensors will be integrated into Space Force satellites, presenting a more significant integration challenge.
„Space RCO is equipping the Force for warfighting capabilities that keep the U.S. ahead of emerging threats. Part of equipping is the tactical awareness that allows us to close our kill chains and disrupt those of the adversary,” Hammett told Breaking Defense.
Collaboration with SpaceWERX and the Small Business Administration
The SpRCO worked with the Space Force’s innovation arm, SpaceWERX, and the Small Business Administration to increase the standard $2 million value cap of Direct to Phase 2 Small Business Innovation Research grants for the threat warning radar demonstration.
The SpRCO is in discussions with the Space Force regarding „integration requirements and timelines” for flying the first low size, weight, and power radar on a „candidate” satellite to be launched in geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO). The office is also in talks with a specific Space Force GEO program to include radar sensors on their line of future platforms.
Potential Integration with RG-XX Program
While the SpRCO declined to comment on the specific satellite and program in mind, Hammett has previously mentioned potential collaboration with the Space Force’s RG-XX program, which aims to replace its six Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) satellites. The Space Force is expected to issue a draft request for information for RG-XX by the end of the year.
Additionally, the SpRCO is planning a follow-on SBIR award for small on-board optical payloads for threat warning.
