The Project, Described as a “Quasi-Operational Success,” Provides Critical Insights into China’s Observation System
In a surprising revelation, officials from the Space Force have confirmed the existence of a secret orbital tool capable of gathering information on China’s sensor network that monitors American satellites. Kelly Hammett, director of the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (SRCO), labeled the initiative a “quasi-operational success” during a press briefing at the AFA Warfare Symposium.
Monitoring China’s Observation Network
Hammett explained that the project includes “situational awareness indicators and warning payloads” that have been used to collect valuable data on China’s Space Observation Surveillance and Identification System (SOSI), which serves as an equivalent to the U.S. Space Surveillance Network. The space-based monitoring technology was launched in 2023 as part of the payload aboard Northrop Grumman’s LDPE-3A spacecraft, marking the first initiative from the SRCO to reach orbit.
Enhancing Situational Awareness
“These sensors can determine whether you’re being observed, tracked, or targeted, and those types of capabilities are what we’re trying to integrate into the larger Space Force,” Hammett stated. While the Space Force possesses various methods to monitor Beijing’s orbital activities, many American satellites lack the ability to detect when they are being watched, and these secret payloads aim to address that gap.
Internal Challenges and Personnel Constraints
However, the SRCO faces internal challenges. Hammett warned that, as a small organization with roughly 50 civilian employees and 20 military personnel, his office could be disproportionately affected by personnel reductions imposed by the Trump administration. Under a hiring freeze, he noted, “I’m losing people… and I cannot hire people back.”
He elaborated that the majority of the workforce in SRCO consists of contractors and employees from Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), with limited permanent government positions, despite overseeing billion-dollar programs. “I have billion-dollar programs run by just seven people,” he emphasized, highlighting the constraints facing his team compared to other Department of Defense offices.
Conclusion: The Need for Adaptation and Additional Resources
This situation underscores the challenges the Space Force encounters in enhancing its monitoring capabilities while grappling with internal constraints. Immediate solutions may involve hiring contractors and collaborating with research and development centers to support this essential agency in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
