Space systems affect almost every part of our daily lives and are fundamental to our economic system. For example, satellites not only power the GPS technology that we use daily, but allow us to surf the web, enable first responders to communicate with each other in times of crisis, time stamp transactions in the world financial market and even allow us to use credit cards at gas pumps. With space debris and objects now populating Earth’s orbit, a Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) tracking radar is needed to detect small space objects or satellites quickly and with highly precise orbital information. The U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command has a mission to achieve Space Domain Awareness (SDA), the capability to detect, track, identify and characterize deep space objects. A DARC tracking radar will be able to detect small objects up to 22,400 miles away, the height of satellites in geostationary orbit. If a collision threatens a satellite system, DARC will alert the operator who will have time to maneuver away from oncoming debris. DARC will also identify adversarial threats that have the potential to disrupt civil and military space services.
We supported a national defense contractor (NDC) in developing, testing and delivering a DARC greenfield site in Indo-Pacific Command for the USSF Space Systems Command. The NDC provided the advanced radar technology for the initial DARC site, which will house multiple parabolic antennas (large satellite dishes) for tracking, and another set of antennas for transmitting. We brought the facilities infrastructure design expertise to the project and are the Architect, Engineering, and Construction site Designer of Record. This initial DARC contract includes the design, development and construction support for the installation of this system, completed in 2025.
Our team consisted of civil, structural, architectural, mechanical and electrical discipline engineers and architects. It also included subconsultants consisting of geotechnical, topographic surveying, fire suppression and alarm design, and analytical services. Key services provided include developing, managing and completing the project design drawings, specifications, calculations, design analysis and other design-related documentation while adhering to prescribed client and government standards and requirements. We also provided construction support by responding to RFIs; reviewing submittals and testing and commissioning plans; and review and adherence of final construction against design requirements.
Work was executed under an urgent schedule, as the USSF has a mandate to implement the DARC program as soon as possible. As this is a new program for the USSF, the Statement of Work and design requirements were continually evolving. To get within acceptable USSF funding, we worked with the client to perform value engineering and cost estimating exercises to significantly reduce construction costs. The NDC awarded the construction contract to a locally based general contractor early during the design process to assist with determining the least cost engineering solutions and equipment and material procurement to help expedite the construction commencement and minimize the cost of installation. This resulted in multiple design iteration efforts to meet the client’s goals.
