Scalable Wide-Field-of-View Electro-Optical Payloads for GEO Space Domain Awareness

The threshold detection requirement increased from 14.5 to 15.0 visual magnitude in Phase I, and Phase II's SNR requirement increased from 5 to 6 for the same 15.0 magnitude detection performance standard.

# Q&A Changes Summary **New Answers Provided:** - **Q11 (Tip-and-cue integration):** Government confirmed interest in WFOV payloads providing tip-and-cue data for existing/future constellations, emphasizing support for the FULL Mission Description rather than exclusive sub-sets of required functions. **Key Addition:** One previously unanswered question (Q11) now has clarification that tip-and-cue concepts supporting both current and adaptable-to-future constellation needs are of particular interest. All other Q&As (Q1-Q10, Q12-Q15) remain unchanged from the previous version.

# Q&A Changes Summary **New Questions Added:** - Q9: SWaP/thermal constraints for ESPA-class GEO platform and scope of autonomous WFOV-to-NFOV tip-and-cue - Q10: On-board vs. ground-based data exploitation; autonomous detection/tracking for downlink reduction **Renumbered Questions:** - Previous Q9-Q13 renumbered to Q11-Q15 (no answer changes to content) **Key Addition:** Two new technical questions addressing payload constraints and on-board processing architecture—both remain unanswered, indicating these are pending government response.

**Summary of Q&A Changes:** Added 13 new Q&As covering: pricing/constellation specs (none specified); phenomenology preferences (EO-focused, dual-mode allowed if requirements met); government priorities (creative improvements sought across sensitivity, coverage, cadence, custody); SILENTBARKER classified details; viewing location (GEO preferred but alternatives considered); CONOPS details (search/track, autonomous algorithms, custody management); data products (on-board processing preferred, full-frame imagery capability required); pre-existing capability reuse (allowed with explanation of modifications); tip-and-cue interoperability (supported for current and future constellations); dual-mode sensors (acceptable with cost-benefit justification, no mission compromise); Phase I page limit clarification (10 pages, not 20).

Status changed from Pre-Release to Open

Added 4 new Q&As on WFOV payload concepts: government openness to tip-and-cue data integration with existing constellations, dual-mode EO sensors with additional sensing modalities, and tipping/queuing systems—all while meeting performance thresholds and SWaP constraints.

Q1 answered: Volume 2 Technical Volume page limit is 10 pages (not 20). Located via USAF hyperlink under Component Instructions on page 7.

A question clarifying the page limit for Volume 2 of a funding application, noting that no limit was specified in the guidelines and requesting confirmation that 20 pages is the appropriate default.

New opportunity: Scalable Wide-Field-of-View Electro-Optical Payloads for GEO Space Domain Awareness