NATO ALLSAT

In 2021, the NATO Science and Technology Organization (NATO STO) established the SCI-350 “NATO Alliance SmallSat Constellation Effort (NATO ALLSAT)” Research Task Group (RTG). The overall goal is to demonstrate interoperability and command and control (C2)  within the alliance using nanosatellites. The NATO ALLSAT mission scenario is based on a formation of three nanosatellites flying in a three-ball configuration. The satellites are to be built on different platform sizes, from various providers and accommodate different payloads from military space functional areas (e.g. Space Surveillance, Space Domain Awareness and Space Weather). In addition to conventional RF communication, these are also connected to each other via optical intersatellite links (OISL). The formation is to be controlled by individual ground control centers from three continents (American, Meridian and Pacific Cell) in a common operating concept. Each ground control center supervizes the formation during its regular eight-hour work shift, contributing to 24/7 operational capability.