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Military Satellites

Report

Innovation in the United States Air Force

An assessment of historical cases of Air Force innovation — or apparent failure to innovate — sheds light on whether the service is sufficiently innovative today and what can be done to make it more innovative for the future.

May 13, 2016
Report

Past Problems and Future Challenges in the Acquisition of Military Space Systems

As Department of Defense plans for the next-generation space systems in an increasingly challenging fiscal and security environment, it is important to apply lessons learned from past space acquisition, which had experienced many difficulties.

Mar 30, 2015
Commentary

What if Distracted Driving Was Safe?

According to consumer research, the ability to consume media, write an email, or even sleep during transport is a key selling point for self-driving cars, which could be available in the near future. Autonomous vehicle technology could also produce a wide range of public benefits.

Jul 1, 2014
Report

Report

Evaluation of National Institute of Justice–Funded Geospatial Software Tools: Technical and Utility Assessments to Improve Tool Development, Dissemination, and Usage

A geospatial software tool-evaluation study assessed 14 recent tool developments funded by the National Institute of Justice. The study integrates input from tool developers and tool users with RAND's independent tool assessments.

Apr 3, 2014
Commentary

Satellites for Rent

Reports earlier this year that the U.S. Department of Defense leased a Chinese satellite to support military operations in Africa sparked concern that the arrangement could compromise control over U.S. military communications, or, worse, allow Chinese intelligence gatherers access to privileged military data.

Nov 8, 2013
Journal Article

Journal Article

Detecting Ionospheric TEC Perturbations Caused by Natural Hazards Using a Global Network of GPS Receivers: The Tohoku Case Study

Recent advances in GPS data processing have demonstrated that ground-based GPS receivers are capable of detecting ionospheric TEC perturbations caused by surface-generated Rayleigh, acoustic and gravity waves.

Dec 1, 2012
Dissertation

Dissertation

Actualizing Flexible National Security Space Systems

Three essays that address some of the challenges associated with improving the flexibility of National Security Space capabilities.

Nov 15, 2011
Report

Report

Improving the Cost Estimation of Space Systems

Why have the costs of acquiring space systems been so high? What are the sources of the problems? To answer these questions, RAND researchers examined the sources of cost growth of Air Force space systems and undertook an extensive study of two space systems.

Jul 25, 2008
Report

Report

Space Command Sustainment Review: Improving the Balance Between Current and Future Capabilities

Space assets are vital to the economic, social, and military interests of the United States. Sustainment complexities suggest a need to define a AFSPC commandwide sustainment philosophy separating demand, supply, and integrator processes.

Jun 17, 2007
Report

Report

New Metrics Show How Investments Affect Space System Performance

As space systems age, the U.S. Air Force Space Command needs to understand how budgeting for the maintenance and sustainment of ground segments affects the performance of their associated space systems. New metrics and models can help this process.

Apr 14, 2007
Report

Report

Evolutionary Acquisition: Implementation Challenges for Defense Space Programs

This monograph presents findings of a RAND Project AIR FORCE research project documenting lessons learned from the implementation of evolutionary acquisition (EA) strategies on major Defense Department military space programs.

Aug 16, 2006
Report

Report

Global Positioning System: Market Projections and Trends in the Newest Global Information Utility

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space-based signal providing precise timing, location, and velocity information. Just as any number of receivers can tune into a commercial TV or radio station, there is no limit on the number of people who can use GPS.

Jan 1, 1998
Report

Report

GPS-Aided Guidance for Ballistic Missile Applications: An Assessment

The proliferation of Third World ballistic missiles is a major concern for the U.S. government. This paper evaluates the effectiveness of U.S. control policies as they pertain to ballistic missiles, focusing on those with ranges of 300-1000 km.

Jan 1, 1996
Report

Report

GPS Targeting Methods for Non-Lethal Systems

Reviews the wide array of possible non-lethal concepts and separates their employment depending on target class.

Jan 1, 1996
Report

Report

Operational issues for GPS-aided precision missiles

Operational issues for GPS-aided precision missiles

Jan 1, 1996
Report

Opportunities Created by GPS for U.S. Defense, Commercial, and Foreign Policy Interests

Since the Global Positioning System (GPS) was originally deployed to aid U.S. armed forces in navigation and position location, it has evolved into a resource supporting civil, scientific, and commercial functions—from air traffic control to the Internet—with precision location and timing information.

Jan 1, 1995
Research Brief

Research Brief

A Policy Direction for the Global Positioning System: Balancing National Security and Commercial Interests

The evolution of GPS into an information system with a substantial international user community has raised complex policy questions for U.S. decisionmakers on a variety of issues affecting national defense, commerce, and foreign policy.

Jan 1, 1995
Report

Report

Modeling Global Positioning System Effects in the TLC/NLC Model

Presents a design for incorporating Global Positioning System (GPS) into RAND's theater-level combat or nonlinear combat (TLC/NLC) model, which is used for policy analysis of military operations.

Jan 1, 1994
Journal Article

Journal Article

A Rate Integrating Fiber Optic Gyro

In the past, fiber optic gyros have generally been viewed as angular rate sensors. However, for inertial navigation purposes, a rate integrating gyro characteristic is desired.

Jun 1, 1991
Report

Report

Commercial and Military Communication Satellite Acquisition Practices

... tests the contention that the commercial sector consistently manages acquisition programs better than the military.

Jan 1, 1985

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RAND Topic:
Military Satellites

Topic Synonyms:
MILSAT