DARPA Seeking Remote Satellite Image Expansion; Dave Barnhart Comments
DARPA depiction of SeeMe coverage
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency plans to develop satellite constellations intended to provide warfighters with on-demand satellite imagery, Armed With Science reports.
The Pentagon’s research arm wants to deploy the space enabled effects for military engagements program in order to make the images available in remote conditions.
SeeMe would use a constellation of small satellites that would capture images of a warfighter after issuing a see me request using existing handheld devices, said Dave Barnhart, a DARPA program manager.
Barnhart said The information would be available in less than 90 minutes and could aid in mission planning, he said.
The constellation would have nearly two-dozen satellites that last between 60 and 90 days each.
The satellites would maintain a low-earth orbit before de-orbiting and burning up, leaving no debris behind.
SeeMe is an adjunct to unmanned aerial vehicle technology, Barnhart said.
The program may be used to leverage DARPA’s airborne launch assist space access program, which the agency is using to rapidly launch small satellites, according to the report.
The agency recently held a proposer’s day to discuss its plans for a free-floating satellite designed to reassemble and de-assemble on command.
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