Disaggregated Defense Weather System Follow-on (WSF) Conceptual Architecture Optimization

摘要

The future of space-based defense weather systems is uncertain due to the cancellation of the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) and Defense Weather Satellite System (DWSS) program. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Weather Satellite Follow-on (WSF) program has been identified as the follow-on program and a potential pathfinder for the concept of disaggregation. Disaggregation of satellites may reduce costs, improve performance, and increase system resiliency. However, current research literature does not address a systematic method for performing conceptual trades between large multi-function and smaller single function spacecraft. An original multi-function, multi-orbit disaggregated space system optimization methodology is applied to the space-based defense weather enterprise. Real-coded mixed integer optimization techniques are implemented to identify, assess, and compare alternative space-based weather system conceptual architectures. Resulting cost and performance figures of merit are analyzed to assess disaggregated space-based weather constellation cost effectiveness. Potential estimated life cycle cost savings of approximately $3 billion dollars are modeled for a Disaggregated Weather System Follow-on (DWSF) program versus a DWSS analogous architecture. The resulting analysis of space-based weather architectures is intended to demonstrate applicability of the newly-developed Disaggregated Integral System Concept Optimization (DISCO) methodology to assess multi-function, multi-orbit disaggregation problems.