The U.S. Navy is exploring groundbreaking advancements in satellite technology with the development of Autosat, a fully autonomous spacecraft designed to detect, characterize, and track objects in space. This innovative satellite system is poised to redefine space operations by eliminating the need for human operators, enabling self-directed tasks, calibrations, and information exchange.
Speaking at the Potomac Officers Club’s Research and Development Summit in McLean, Virginia, Steven Meier, Director of Space Technology at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), unveiled the capabilities of Autosat. “We’ve done a demo of this and proven out the principles,” Meier said. “Now, we’re looking for the next step. We want to get funding to actually build a system along these lines and launch it.”
The concept could transform how the military monitors space, providing an advanced tool to enhance situational awareness and combat emerging threats in an increasingly contested domain.
At its core, Autosat is an autonomous system capable of managing its operations without relying on GPS, ground control stations, or human intervention. The satellite is equipped with an imaging payload trained with an extensive database of images, such as airports, roads, runways, and buildings. This database helps the system identify patterns and detect objects with increasing accuracy over time.
The self-learning capability of Autosat leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), which enable the satellite to adapt to new inputs. The more data it processes, the better it becomes at detecting anomalies or identifying specific objects.
“Autosat’s autonomy allows it to operate in isolation, even in denied environments where traditional communications and navigation tools are disrupted,” Meier said. This capability could prove crucial in conflict scenarios where adversaries attempt to disable conventional satellite operations through cyberattacks or jamming techniques.
Satellites capable of independently detecting and tracking objects in space are in high demand among defense agencies, particularly the U.S. Space Force and U.S. Space Command. These organizations face the dual challenges of monitoring increasingly crowded orbits and addressing the growing threat posed by adversarial anti-satellite weapons.
While traditional satellites rely on ground-based operators for mission planning, communication, and navigation, the autonomous capabilities of systems like Autosat provide a significant edge. They enable real-time decision-making and adaptive responses to potential threats.
Meier envisions a future network of Autosat-like systems working in concert to create a resilient space architecture. Such a constellation could act as an interconnected web, sharing data across multiple satellites to improve overall mission effectiveness and redundancy.
The Navy’s ambitions for Autosat align with broader efforts within the U.S. Space Force to incorporate autonomy and artificial intelligence into its operations. Frank Calvelli, the Space Force’s former top acquisition official, highlighted the importance of autonomous systems during remarks at a National Defense Industrial Association event in August.
“Satellites will become significantly more autonomous in the next 10 to 15 years,” Calvelli predicted. Future spacecraft, he noted, will depend less on ground stations and antennas, which are often vulnerable targets during conflicts.
The push for autonomy is also motivated by the need to accelerate decision-making. By reducing reliance on human operators and streamlining processes like maneuver planning and threat assessment, autonomous systems can provide military decision-makers with faster and more accurate insights.
The Space Force has already begun investing in AI and ML technologies to guide satellite operations. In November 2024, the service awarded a contract to Colorado-based Advanced Space for a feasibility study on using AI algorithms to help satellites navigate and avoid threats.
The Space Development Agency (SDA), tasked with building a constellation of hundreds of small satellites, has also identified automation as a key pillar of its strategy. By leveraging autonomous capabilities, the SDA aims to create a space architecture that is resilient, scalable, and cost-effective.
On the ground, the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (Space RCO) is working to modernize command-and-control systems to support these advanced satellites. Kelly Hammett, director of the Space RCO, emphasized the importance of automation in a December briefing.
The agency’s Rapid Resilient Command and Control (R2C2) system incorporates automated mission planning, allowing operators to quickly develop and upload mission profiles. “You can run a variety of cases and situations, decide the one you want, and then press the button,” Hammett explained at the Space Force Association’s Spacepower Conference in Orlando, Florida.
Such advancements complement the autonomous capabilities of spacecraft like Autosat, creating an integrated ecosystem where satellites and ground systems work together seamlessly.
Despite the promise of autonomous satellites, significant challenges remain. Developing AI and ML algorithms capable of handling complex space missions is no small feat, particularly given the unique constraints of the space environment, such as limited power, radiation exposure, and extreme temperatures.
Additionally, testing autonomous systems in real-world conditions is both expensive and technically demanding. The Navy’s next step for Autosat — securing funding to build and launch a prototype — will be a critical milestone. Demonstrating the system’s capabilities in orbit will be essential to proving its value and securing support for wider deployment.
The growing reliance on autonomous systems also raises ethical and security concerns. As AI-driven spacecraft take on more decision-making responsibilities, ensuring their actions align with military objectives and legal frameworks will require careful oversight.
As competition in space intensifies, the development of autonomous satellites like Autosat represents a pivotal step forward. The system’s ability to operate independently, adapt to new challenges, and provide timely intelligence could give the U.S. military a decisive advantage in protecting national security interests.
With the Navy and Space Force both embracing autonomy and AI, the stage is set for a new era of innovation in space operations. As Steven Meier and his team at the Naval Research Laboratory work to bring Autosat to fruition, they are helping to shape the future of space surveillance and defense.
“It’s not just about building smarter satellites,” Meier said. “It’s about rethinking how we operate in space and preparing for the challenges of tomorrow.”
The road ahead may be filled with hurdles, but the potential rewards — enhanced resilience, faster decision-making, and greater operational flexibility — make it a journey worth undertaking.
For the U.S. military, Autosat and similar systems could be the key to maintaining dominance in an increasingly contested and congested domain. And for the broader space community, these advancements signal a future where autonomy and intelligence drive the next generation of exploration and security.
