SSL’s Rob Zitz: Space Sensor Layer Will Benefit From End-to-End Solution

Rob Zitz, a senior vice president at Maxar Technologies’ SSL subsidiary, told SpaceNews in an interview published Monday that a space layer designed for missile defense will benefit from an end-to-end solution including sensors and satellites.

Zitz, chief strategy officer for government systems at SSL, said artificial intelligence and other technology platforms will help facilitate data processing and provide commanders information in real time.

He noted the military could link sensor layer-derived data to information collected from missile-warning satellites and other intelligence sources in order to have a “persistent” view of threats.

“They understand that persistence is not going to come from a single orbital regime or single sensor. Persistence is putting all the pieces of information together,” Zitz said.

“What they’re looking for from industry is an architecture to tie sources together.”

Zitz mentioned that the industry has started to build “smart” satellites meant to carry out data processing functions and cited the need for machine-to-machine capability amid the integration of such satellites.

He said he believes the space sensor layer concept will transition to actual hardware in the next few years driven by Congress’ support.