As in many other technical areas, technological progress in space travel is also advancing at an increasingly rapid pace. In addition, it is not only large countries and governments who are using outer space, but in particular visionary entrepreneurs who are massively driving forward developments in what is known as «New Space». It is therefore essential to precisely monitor the national and international developments as well as to demonstrate the possible consequences on the fulfilment of tasks and on Armed Forces projects in the domain of operations of outer space. The developments need to be pursued systematically and assessed according to aspects such as technical feasibility, availability, deployment, costs and dependence. Typical development examples are: Launcher technologies, rideshare concepts, hosted payloads, drive technologies, high-energy lasers, microwave photonics, terahertz sensors, optical communication, quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, autonomous operation and repair and measures extending the lifespan of satellites.

Due to the increasing military usage of space, it is also essential for the Swiss Armed Forces to have precise knowledge of the situation and the operations in outer space. In order to create the operational picture of the situation in space, research projects to obtain orbital data and the status of satellites are being carried out. This is performed by active or passive tracking using optical or electromagnetic methods but also using open source or partnership data. The data obtained will be analysed using, amongst other methods, machine learning algorithms, in order to be able to assess the status, intentions or manoeuvres of satellites. Finally, demonstrators will be developed to prepare and present information for various different end users at a strategic, tactical and operative level.

To perform its tasks, the Armed Forces are dependent on information and data from space as well as on satellite-based systems. One focus of the research is on assessing the capacities and the limitations of modern satellite applications as well as estimating the performance capabilities of new (commercial) satellites and satellite constellations. A further focus lies in the analysis and assessment of satellite-based connections and in the use of GNSS signals. In the area of information gathering, the possibilities and constraints of the use of artificial intelligence on board a satellite will also be examined. In addition to space applications, possible alternatives such as the use of quasi-stationary high-altitude platforms (pseudo satellites) and terrestrial satellites are also being dealt with in this field of competence.

A possible future small satellite capability in the Swiss Armed Forces requires the development of technical-scientific expertise in the areas of space segment, ground segment and user segment. The goal of the research program is to support this broad and comprehensive capability structure in the Armed Forces through systematic studies, demonstrators and testing. While competencies at subsystem level exist, particularly on a partnership (industrial) basis, or can be created with their help, understanding of missions and systems constitutes a core part of the Armed Forces’ capabilities. Technological competencies must be created in the area of Mission Systems Engineering which enable space missions to be planned, drafted and assessed. As part of the research program, mission and system studies will be performed, concepts weighted against each other, feasibilities and limitations demonstrated and possible partnerships outlined. 

In the area of protection and countermeasures, the Armed Forces must possess skills to elude adversarial action from space. In conjunction with other areas of impact, the research projects focus here on the various aspects of camouflage, fraud and diversion. In addition to the passive measures, it is aimed to also use limited active skills in the domain of operations of outer space. The focus of research here lies in the area of weapons in electromagnetic space for the interference of satellite-based communication or navigation signals as well as the use of high-power lasers to obstruct optical reconnaissance or optical communication. A further field of research ultimately lies in the area of protection and the countermeasures of future satellite systems against the increasing amount of junk particles (space debris) or against targeted destruction.

Together with an external partner, armasuisse S+T has developed the demonstrator SitSat (situation of the satellite) to appropriately visualise the operational picture in space. This application enables the situation of all known satellites to be displayed and analysed at any reference location worldwide and in any time frame. The satellites can be filtered according to their various applications and further criteria such as operator’s country, purpose, type or orbit. It can also be determined whether and in what time frame the selected reference location is visible for a reconnaissance satellite and whether a connection to a communications satellite is possible. At the same time, the application takes into account both the prevailing weather conditions and the topographical circumstances. This means that it is also observed whether the view is impeded by mountains or cloud cover, for example. On the one hand, the demonstrator exists as a web application, to obtain a comprehensive picture of the situation at operational level and to provide targeted support for operative planning. In addition, SitSat is also available as an app for tablets and smartphones, in order to gain rapid situational awareness at a tactical level and to speed up tactical decisions.