Space Force considering using nuclear defense to shield missile-tracking satellites

In order to determine what capabilities to house on the next satellites that is capable of detecting and tracking new, high-speed missiles, the Space Force has started research.

Col. Rob Davis, who is in charge of the service's space sensing procurement efforts, stated on Thursday that the Space Force is considering the best course of action to guarantee that these spacecraft can withstand a nuclear attack as part of that mission.

Davis stated that they are currently collaborating with the Space Warfighting Analysis Center, or SWAC, to determine what the next generation of those capabilities will be at a virtual National Security Space Association event.

With China and Russia building hypersonic missiles capable of traveling and maneuvering at Mach 5, the military is just beginning a long-term strategy to enhance its missile tracking capabilities. The two nations are also developing anti-satellite missiles, some of which are being tested, that may jeopardize secure operations in orbit.

For the purpose of carrying out its missile warning duty, the Space Force currently uses big, costly satellites. These spacecraft are radiation-hardened—that is, they are made of materials and structures that enable them to survive a nuclear attack—and are a component of the Space-Based Infrared System.

The service's new approach is centered on producing and deploying a large number of tiny satellites in lower orbits rather than relying on those more sophisticated capabilities. Leading this endeavor are Space Systems Command (SSC) and the Space Development Agency (SDA), with SDA planning to launch hundreds of satellites into low Earth orbit, up to 1,200 miles above sea level. SSC focuses on capabilities for medium-earth orbit, which is located roughly 22,000 miles above Earth and lies between low earth and geosynchronous orbit.

Eight low-Earth orbit missile-tracking satellites have been launched by SDA to date. In 2026, SSC plans to send its first spacecraft into medium-earth orbit, or MEO. Both companies intend to launch fresh iterations of their satellites every several years and are currently delivering them in groups.

The Space Force will gradually replace its older systems with this new architecture. To replace the Space-Based Infrared System, the service is collaborating with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to construct five Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared, or Next-Gen OPIR, satellites that are radiation-hardened.