The strange case of the JP9102 satellite system

Written by: (Contributed) on 18 November2024

(Above: A March 2022 statement by Boeing of its investment in the JP9102 satellite Image from www.ex2.com.au/)

Controversy surrounding the decision in Canberra to cancel research and development of a sensitive satellite system has raised interesting issues and divisions within the corridors of power. Reliable information in the public domain from elsewhere, however, has already revealed that the decision was taken following US research and development of different systems, raising serious concerns about interoperability between the Pentagon and Australia.

In early November an official Australian government announcement that the proposed JP9102 satellite system was to be cancelled led to a prolonged series of controversial statements surrounding defence and security provision. (1) The initial research for the development of the sophisticated satellite system began in 2019, and was placed for tender in 2021; Lockheed Martin had been selected to deliver the system last year. (2)

Information emerging about the JP9102 system has revealed it was to have included 'multiple ground stations across Australia … and … two new satellite operations centres'. (3)

It was also recorded as operational 'across a vast region, from the central Indian Ocean (Diego Garcia) to Solomon Islands, and from the Artic to the Antarctic'. (4)

The range and the capacity of the JP9102 system was centred on an area of Indonesia where planning for a new capital city, Nusantara, is also under-way; controversy has already arisen due to the role of China with the planning and construction and their later diplomatic role. Nusantara is strategically placed midway on a sensitive US intelligence arc from Diego Garcia to Guam from Pine Gap, over the line, and below the actual straight line from Diego Garcia and Guam. (5)

Composed of three to five satellites specifically for the Indo-Pacific region, the JP9102 contract was hindered by delay leading to its eventual cancellation. (6) A Senate committee was recently informed that '$90m of taxpayers' money had been wasted on the project'. (7)

Initial planning for the JP9102 geosynchronous system, nevertheless, included provision for it to be stationed at about 36,500 kms above earth, and to provide a multitude of roles including an 'uncrackable data network for communications and data links for our advanced fighter jets, naval assets and land forces'. (8) It was officially noted, however, that the whole JP9102 system was assessed as increasingly vulnerable due to 'increasingly aggressive and provocative Chinese and Russian counter-space operations across the full range of Earth orbits'. (9)

Reports that China had recently test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile in the Pacific, also heightened fears of the vulnerability of the JP9102 system. (10)

While the decision taken by Canberra to cancel the JP9102 system resulted in tidal waves of finger-pointing and controversy, reliable information elsewhere provided the main reasons for the decision.

It has been noted that the US has developed a tendency to move away from single-orbit constellations due to their vulnerability; moves are already afoot for the Pentagon to prioritise multi-orbit capability and low-earth orbit communications systems. (11)

Interoperability between the US systems and that of their allies appear to have been the main reason for the decision to cancel the JP9102. A statement from Canberra following the controversy noted, however, 'the ADF needed a more resilient system than the one that was originally planned because of new technology which enables satellites to literally be shot out of the sky'. (12)

An official statement from Canberra noted, furthermore, 'the project (JP9102), which would have been the nation's biggest space investment – was originally envisaged as a sovereign owned and operated system, but that might no longer be what the ADF would get. Under the revised plan … the ADF could potentially pay for guaranteed access to a satellite system operated by an ally or commercial vendor'. (13)

It was noted, furthermore, the 'US Space Development Agency (SDA) has awarded contracts to Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to build satellites for the SDA's Transport Layer low-earth orbit communications system'. (14)

In conclusion, during the meantime, the Australian government and Defence will be using the following systems for regional military and security provision:

1. Optus C-1 satellite;
2. Intelsat IS – 22;
3. US Space Forces SATCOM., WGS network. (15)

An accompanying statement from the Chief of Joint Capabilities, Susan Coyle, stated 'the department would work with partners and vendors next year to provide advice on an accelerated pathway to deliver alternative capability to the ADF by the early 2030s if not sooner. (16)

The decision to cancel the JP9102 system was taken, however, to comply with the Pentagon-led interoperability:

We need an independent foreign policy!

1. Satellites go out: defence in $7 bn hit, Australian, 4 November 2024.
2. Diggers to get $40k bonus to hang about, Australian, 5 November 2024.
3. Lockheed Martin to deliver, Australian Government – Defence, 3 April 2023.
4. Satellites go out, Australian, op.cit., 4 November 2024.
5. See: Indonesia's new capital city, Monash University, 12 September 2022; and, Peters Projection, World Map, Actual Size.
6. Satellites go out, Australian, op.cit., 4 November 2024.
7. Budget 'prioritisation' in satellite plan axing, Australian, 7 November 2024.
8. Moving toward control of our space domain, Defence Report Supplement, Australian, 31 October 2024; and, Letter, Ross McDonald, Gordon, NSW., e Australian, 6 November 2024.
9. Moving toward control of our space domain, ibid., Australian, 31 October 2024.
10. Chinese missile launched in Pacific, Australian, 26 September 2024.
11. Defence confirms JP9102 cancellation, ADM., Hanwha Defence Australia, 4 November 2024.
12. Budget 'prioritisation' in satellite plan axing, op.cit., Australian, 7 November 2024.
13. Ibid.
14. Defence confirms JP9102 cancellation, op.cit., ADM., 4 November 2024.
15. Ibid.
16. Budget 'prioritisation' in satellite plan axing, op.cit., Australian, 7 November 2024.