The idea: provide small squads of soldiers the ability to receive near instantaneous imagery of their specific location directly from a satellite with the press of a button on their smartphone.

It's not a technology that's possible from current military or commercial satellites says the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency which later this month will detail how it expects a program, known as Space Enabled Effects for Military Engagements (SeeMe) to give mobile US personnel access to on-demand, space-based tactical information in remote and beyond- line-of-sight conditions.

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"We envision a constellation of small satellites, at a fraction of the cost of airborne systems, that would allow deployed warfighters overseas to hit 'see me' on existing handheld devices and in less than 90 minutes receive a satellite image of their precise location to aid in mission planning," said Dave Barnhart, DARPA program manager in a statement.

"To create inexpensive, easily manufacturable small satellites costing $500K apiece will require leveraging existing non-traditional aerospace off-the-shelf technologies for rapid manufacturing, such as the mobile phone industry's original design manufacturers, as well as developing advanced technologies for optics, power, propulsion and communications to keep size and weight down," he said.

The SeeMe constellation may consist of two-dozen satellites, each having a space life of about 60-90 days in a very low-earth orbit. From there they could de-orbit and completely burn up, leaving no space debris and causing no re-entry hazard, DARPA stated.

SeeMe may make use of aircraft‐like rapid launch systems or technology being established for DARPA's Airborne Launch Assist Space Access (ALASA) program. ALASA is developing an aircraft-based satellite launch platform for 100 lbs. payloads and building low-cost, small satellites that could be rapidly be launched into any required orbit, a capability not possible today from fixed ground launch sites, DARPA stated.

DARPA will detail the program on Mar. 27 in Arlington, VA.

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