“Memorize what nominal looks like, every anomaly forces you to distinguish threat activity from normal variation.”
Establish a baseline on a 3-satellite LEO constellation, then detect and respond to a direct-ascent anti-satellite threat with concurrent ground-station tampering.
60 MINUTES · 10 min instruction · 40 min simulation · 10 min review
| LABS Component | Type | Statement |
|---|---|---|
| (L)EARN | Knowledge | Knowledge of Low Earth Orbit constellation operations, including spacecraft health telemetry, link budget management, and orbital parameter monitoring. |
| (L)EARN | Knowledge | Knowledge of the Kinetic exposure domain and how direct-ascent anti-satellite threats and ground facility attacks manifest in a space operations context. |
| (A)PPLY | Skill | Skill in establishing a nominal operations baseline using spacecraft telemetry, link status, and mission data throughput metrics. |
| (A)PPLY | Skill | Skill in detecting and classifying a Kinetic threat indicator by identifying deviations from the established operational baseline. |
| (B)UILD | Ability | Ability to evaluate simultaneous ground station and orbital threat indicators and determine whether the events represent a coordinated attack or independent failures. |
| (S)IMULATE | Task | Detect, classify, and respond to a direct-ascent anti-satellite threat and a concurrent ground station physical security breach within a single 40-minute exercise window. |
Students operate a 3-satellite LEO constellation at approximately 550 km altitude in a sun-synchronous orbit, providing Earth observation and communications relay services. This introductory exercise is designed for first-time operators and focuses on establishing a nominal baseline before encountering a single, guided Kinetic threat scenario.
Students familiarize themselves with the simulation interface using the 3-satellite constellation: spacecraft health telemetry, link budgets, orbital parameters, and mission data throughput. First-time operators are guided through each system in sequence to establish a clear picture of what normal looks like before any threat is introduced. This phase occupies the first 15 minutes of the exercise.
Intelligence reports a direct-ascent anti-satellite (DA-ASAT) test in an adjacent orbital regime generating a debris field. Simultaneously, the primary ground station reports a physical security breach with tampering detected on the antenna feed assembly.
This exercise is designed for first-time operators. Instructors should:
The following questions will help finalize this exercise design. We welcome any additional recommendations.
Kinetic threats involve the physical destruction or disabling of platform elements through direct force. In the space domain: Anti-Satellite (ASAT) weapons, kinetic kill vehicles that intercept satellites through direct impact, and orbital debris generated by deliberate destruction. On the ground: physical attacks against ground station facilities, sabotage of antenna systems, and disruption of power and communications infrastructure.
Students completing this exercise will have established their first operational baseline and responded to their first exposure domain threat. This foundation prepares them for the Non-Kinetic Physical domain in Module 7.
| Phase | Duration | Focus | Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | ~15 min | Nominal operations baseline establishment | Baseline |
| Phase 2 | ~25 min | DA-ASAT threat + ground station breach response | Kinetic |