During the Cold War, the American government attempted to create the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), the goal of which was to detect and neutralize potential Soviet intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). The project, which quickly earned the nickname “The Star Wars Project” due to the use of lasers to destroy these ICBMs, was a major failure and a financial disaster for NASA. Today, the U.S. Space Force (USSF) is moving forward to the next phase of its satellite-based missile defense program, Missile Track Custody (MTC). A Request for Proposals (RFP) has been issued for the development of prototypes under Missile Track Custody Epoch 2.
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The Space X spacecraft as an example of the interest in space in today’s world (Image source: Space X)
During the Cold War, the American government attempted to create the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), the goal of which was to detect and neutralize potential Soviet intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). The project, which quickly earned the nickname “The Star Wars Project” due to the use of lasers to destroy these ICBMs, was a major failure and a financial disaster for NASA. Today, the U.S. Space Force (USSF) is moving forward to the next phase of its satellite-based missile defense program, Missile Track Custody (MTC). A Request for Proposals (RFP) has been issued for the development of prototypes under Missile Track Custody Epoch 2.
The Space Force is seeking proposals for satellite-based missile tracking. As indicated on the U.S. government’s System for Award Management (SAM) website, the USSF is seeking proposals for its next missile tracking satellite constellation. In the “Epoch 2” phase, it will launch up to 18 satellites, in addition to the nine already planned in Phase 1. The program will use medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellites to improve its missile warning and tracking capabilities, particularly for hypersonic missiles that are difficult to track with conventional systems. According to SAM.gov, “Epoch 2” providers will build on “Epoch 1” to give the nation the global tracking access it desperately needs to counter threats, including advanced hypersonic missiles.
With a budget of about $6 billion for the 18 satellites, the DAF will select two vendors after prototype development. The parties have until October 11 to submit their full proposals. Launches are currently planned for the late 2020s. One of the key requirements of Epoch 2 is optical cross-link communications for faster data transfer and improved on-board processing.
Epoch 2 project according to US Space Command (Image source: US Space Command)
The U.S. Space Force’s Missile Track Custody Epoch 2 project is an initiative aimed at strengthening missile tracking and surveillance capabilities through advanced space technologies. This project is an integral part of missile defense modernization and space surveillance efforts. It focuses on the development and deployment of satellites equipped with high-tech sensors capable of detecting, tracking, and monitoring missiles throughout their trajectory.
Epoch 2 could involve improving existing systems by integrating more sophisticated technologies, such as artificial intelligence for real-time analysis of trajectory data and early threat detection. The project also aims to create a more robust and flexible satellite architecture capable of responding quickly to emerging threats in an evolving global security environment. This initiative could play a critical role in the national defense strategy, improving the United States’ ability to defend against missile attacks and strengthen space security.
The Epoch-1 contract was awarded to Millennium Space Systems (a subsidiary of Boeing) and RTX (formerly Raytheon), but in June the latter had to cancel its contract to build three of the nine satellites due to rising costs and schedule delays.
Epoch 1 is currently scheduled to launch in late 2026, with at least four satellites expected to be in orbit by 2028. With the completion of Epoch 2, the United States will have 27 satellites providing complete global coverage.
Current status and deployment of the Epoch 2 project according to the US Space Command (Image source: US Space Command)
Multi-layered defense
Missile Track Custody Epoch 2 is intended to be integrated into a “space architecture” consisting of multi-tiered satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), and geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) to provide comprehensive coverage of emerging missile threats.
- Low Earth orbit: altitude between 160 km and 2,000 km
- Medium Earth orbit: altitudes between 2,000 km and 35,786 km
- Geosynchronous Earth orbit: an altitude of about 35,786 km
The constellation is based on a “spiral evolution” philosophy, which envisages adding new satellites every two to three years to ensure that capacity remains up to date. An Epoch 3 is planned for the 2030s and will replace the satellites delivered as part of Epoch 1.
The US Space Force recently increased the value of rocket launch contracts for its partners SpaceX and United Launch Alliance (ULA) by $1.8 billion as it anticipates an increased need for launches under its National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program. Phase 2 of that program originally called for 34 launches, but that number has now been increased to 48, while Phase 3 would allow for up to 90 launches.
