From the dawn of the space age, space objects have traveled along predictable, gravity-driven paths first defined by the German Renaissance astronomer and mathematician, Johannes Kepler.
For decades, those predictable orbits served our nation well; space was essentially a sanctuary. But in our now-congested, contested, and competitive Space Area of Operations (AOR), Keplerian orbits will no longer cut it.
At public appearances, including at the 2023 Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colo., then Deputy Commander of U.S. Space Command (now retired) U.S. Space Force Lt. Gen. John Shaw, said maneuverability - regardless of domain - enables military forces to move quickly, sidestep defenses and achieve surprise. Space, he said, should be viewed no differently than any other operational domain.
Dynamic Space Operations, or DSO, at its heart is about being able to maneuver once on orbit, said Tom Wehr, director of business development for launch and space exploration at Aerojet Rocketdyne, an L3Harris Technologies company. Maneuverability complicates an adversary's planning and targeting.
For example, because ground-surveillance satellites follow predictable orbital paths, adversaries typically know when one will be overhead and can modify their behavior accordingly, Wehr said. Similarly, space surveillance operations would benefit from the ability for satellites to maneuver to take a closer look at objects of interest. And if conflict breaks out in the space AOR, maneuverable satellites can complicate an adversary's ability to target and deny our space superiority.
All of that requires more propulsion capability than what you've typically seen in the past, Wehr said.
Aerojet Rocketdyne, a longtime global leader in rocket and in-space propulsion, offers several DSO-enabling capabilities, with more in development. These propulsion capabilities provide the speed and efficiency to maneuver without regret. Some examples include:
Electric satellite thrusters with 10 times the efficiency of conventional chemical propulsion systems.
A long-life version of the company's high-thrust RL10 upper stage rocket engine, capable of multiple of in-space restarts, an industry workhorse that has sent probes across the Solar System and beyond.
High-performance propellants that are more efficient and environmentally friendly than hydrazine and other chemical fuels typically used for in-space propulsion.
Air-breathing electric propulsion systems for satellites operating in very low Earth orbit, or VLEO. Because they draw their propellant from the residual atmosphere in VLEO, these systems have virtually unconstrained maneuverability.
Long-life mono-propellant thrusters for refuelable space vehicles.
High Delta-V Integrated ESPA (EELV Secondary Payload Adapter) Propulsion Systems to provide significant maneuverability capability to smaller space vehicles.
Long-life, high-performance bipropellant liquid rocket engines for higher-impulse DSO maneuver requirements.
On-orbit refueling and propellant management systems for monopropellants and cryogenic propellants.
Aerojet Rocketdyne provides highly reliable and long-life propulsion solutions for any mission, Wehr said, emphasizing that when it comes to DSO, there is no one-size-fits-all system.
Electric propulsion is one example; it is ideal for mass-constrained satellites that do not require high-speed or long-distance maneuverability. These systems enable planners to devote only a small amount of total available satellite mass to propellant, he said.
Aerojet Rocketdyne's electric thrusters have long been operational aboard commercial and government satellites, and the company is developing higher power systems to support NASA's exploration goals. Electric thrusters provide low-thrust, high-specific-impulse propulsion for missions needing more efficiency than speed.
Additionally, Aerojet Rocketdyne is working on a longer-life RL10 upper stage engine that could relocate payloads days or even weeks after launch, making them difficult to track, Wehr said. In one scenario, a primary satellite might initially be launched to geostationary-orbit (GEO), and the upper stage then maneuvers a secondary payload into a disposal orbit - an area of space above the GEO arc that serves as a graveyard of sorts for spent hardware. The upper stage could then restart on demand and deliver the secondary payload to the orbit required to perform its mission.
The long-life RL10 complicates an adversary's thinking because they now have to track everything in the disposal orbits because they might do something later on, he said.
Restarting an RL10 that has been inactive for extended periods in the extreme cold of space is a nontrivial challenge, Wehr said.
Another DSO capability of interest to the Space Force is on-orbit satellite refueling, and this is another area where Aerojet Rocketdyne's products shine. Aerojet Rocketdyne's chemical and electric propulsion systems have an unrivaled operational track record that gives mission planners confidence in their durability and ability to safely conduct proximity operations.
Refueling doesn't do any good if your thrusters are going to burn out, Wehr said. You've got to have a thruster that you can keep using and that's where we have an advantage.
That translates into a Space Force advantage as it deals with increasingly capable adversaries in a contested space environment. DSO is about upending the predictability that has traditionally defined orbital operations through propulsive maneuverability, something that plays to the strengths of Aerojet Rocketdyne.
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
12/05/2026
Beyond the Hype: A Strategic Post-Hoc Analysis of NAB 2026 If NAB Show 2026 had an underlying theme, it was a quiet, industry-wide pivot from the high-energy sp...
12/05/2026
Guntermann and Drunck (G&D), a Panoptec Technologies Group company, and CT Square, led by Chandresh Shah, have announced a joint venture to distribute G&D and V...
12/05/2026
With 30 days until the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Telemundo, the exclusive Spanish-language home of the tournament in the United States, has announced th...
12/05/2026
The NHL has announced the return of Stanley Pup for its third consecutive year, a 90-minute special featuring adoptable rescue dogs competing on a miniature rin...
12/05/2026
NBCUniversal presented its 2026 Upfront to advertisers at Radio City Music Hall, detailing upcoming programming across NBC, Peacock, Bravo, and Versant properti...
12/05/2026
FOX Sports has announced funding for the Fandom and Social Connection Initiative at Harvard Kennedy School's Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics, and Publ...
12/05/2026
TNDV and Live Media, both divisions of Live Media Group, supported live broadcast coverage around NCAA Final Four weekend in Indianapolis, including the March M...
12/05/2026
The European Football Alliance (EFA) has announced a content distribution agreement with Fubo Sports Network, the free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channel ...
12/05/2026
For the first time, Spanish-speaking fans in the U.S. will have two separate tel...
12/05/2026
CP Communications led a comprehensive spectrum management initiative on behalf of Churchill Downs during Kentucky Derby week, coordinating RF assets across the ...
12/05/2026
LiveU has announced a strategic partnership with DRONERESPONDERS, a 501(c)3 non-...
12/05/2026
Open Broadcast Systems has announced that BMC TV, a specialist in IP transport of broadcast content, has selected the Open Broadcast Systems 5G Flyaway solution...
12/05/2026
NEP Europe, part of NEP Group, has announced it will deliver broadcast solutions...
12/05/2026
Grass Valley has announced continued collaboration with Ravensbourne University ...
12/05/2026
Stats Perform has announced the launch of Opta Pulse, an AI-assisted video creation and distribution platform for leagues, rights holders, and broadcasters. The...
12/05/2026
FOX Sports has announced a collaboration with Sesame Workshop to integrate Sesame Street characters into FOX Sports' FIFA World Cup 2026 programming. Conten...
12/05/2026
To date, NHL Productions has produced 19 broadcasts with commentary in American Sign Language
NHL in ASL (American Sign Language) may be just one show, but the...
12/05/2026
Google's Brian Albert: creators, athletes, highlights, nostalgia, second-scr...
12/05/2026
A still from Past Lives by Celine Song, an official selection of the Premieres program at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. (Courtesy of Sundance Institute | p...
12/05/2026
Spotify is where fans and artists come together, turning discovery into somethin...
12/05/2026
Features patented Marco-MMC clocking technology
Black Lion Audio's latest release combines the company's expertise in clocking with their renowned p...
12/05/2026
New Track Panel, sequencer upgrades & more
Following their recent public beta release, Reason Studios have announced the full release of Reason 14. With the...
12/05/2026
One month to go! SBS reveals expansive FIFA World Cup 2026 lineup beyond the pi...
12/05/2026
Rohde & Schwarz presents its advanced solutions for power electronics testing at...
12/05/2026
aconnic AG (ISIN: DE000A0LBKW6), Munich, has developed a modified fund raising p...
12/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/05/2026
Tyrell Corporation, specialists in high-end live sports and entertainment broadcasts, was tasked with delivering compelling broadcast coverage of premier equest...
12/05/2026
Registration is now open for IBC2026 as the global media, entertainment and technology community prepares to converge on the RAI Amsterdam from 11 14 September ...
12/05/2026
Ross Video, a global leader in live video production technology, will present its latest innovations and integrated production workflows at BroadcastAsia 2026, ...
12/05/2026
500 selected leaders from around the world across start-ups, corporates, and venture capital. Over 50bn in assets under management among attending investors, a...
12/05/2026
CVP, one of Europe's leading suppliers of professional video and broadcast solutions, has appointed Randy Koeman as Sales Manager, Netherlands, marking anot...
12/05/2026
Taiwan Television has expanded its HD content ingest workflow capabilities by investing in the PlayBox Neo Suite - a leading multi-channel multi-server UHD/HD/S...
12/05/2026
Jigsaw24 is strengthening its media team with the appointment of Tom Laker as Client Director and Ashish Chauhan as Project Manager. These strategic hires bring...
12/05/2026
Broadcast playout leader showcases hybrid IP infrastructure and workflow automation with Videoland deployment as regional benchmark...
12/05/2026
dzjinius, the all-in-one production management platform for the media and entertainment industry, will showcase its centralised approach to production workflows...
12/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/05/2026
NUGEN Audio will debut Version 1.1 of DialogCheck, its intelligent dialog intelligibility and compliance tool, at the 2026 Media Production & Technology Show (S...
12/05/2026
The reactive visuals can adapt to any stage or screen setup and comprise 50 layers of Notch content
Today, Disguise announced that its high performance GX 3 m...
12/05/2026
Snapgrid , Snapbag & Airglow Expand Creative Control for the ARRI Modular LED BarFollowing the launch of the ARRI Omnibar, DoPchoice introduces a dedicated li...
12/05/2026
May 12th, 2026 Press Materials Available Here
TRIBECA FESTIVAL UNVEILS 2026 GAMES PROGRAM
Tribeca Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary With World Premieres and Pl...
12/05/2026
May 12th, 2026 Press Materials Available Here
MADONNA BRINGS THE WORLD PREMIERE OF CONFESSIONS II TO 2026 TRIBECA FESTIVAL
The Global Icon Will Unveil a Cine...
12/05/2026
Customer demand for data continues to grow in the first quarter of 2026 at Magya...
From the dawn of the space age, space objects have traveled along predictable, gravity-driven paths first defined by the German Renaissance astronomer and mathematician, Johannes Kepler.
