US Developing Plans To Protect Satellites From Attack | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-05.13.24

Airborne-NextGen-05.07.24

Airborne-Unlimited-05.08.24 Airborne-FlightTraining-05.09.24

Airborne-Unlimited-05.10.24

Fri, May 20, 2005

US Developing Plans To Protect Satellites From Attack

Is This The Start Of Real Star Wars?

A battle now looming in Washington could be felt far out in Earth orbit. It's a battle over whether the US should weaponize or otherwise protect its vital satellites from attack.

"The policy that we're talking about is not looking at weaponizing space," White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters. "Now we do have space systems, obviously, and we want to make sure that those space systems are protected." McClellan was quoted by CNN.

He was responding to a question about DoD plans to protect US satellites from attack. The plan is still in its formative stages and hasn't yet reached the president's desk, McClellan said.

But there are those in Washington who insist the plan is a Pandora's box -- one that could lead to the full-blown weaponization of space.

"No one should be fooled," said Theresa Hitchens, an expert on the militarization of space at a think tank called the Center for Defense Information. "What you're seeing is a reversal of the traditional U.S. reluctance to be space warriors. And that's the meaning of this new policy." She, too, was quoted by CNN.

But as more and more of the military's vital assets are based in orbit, Pentagon officials say it's vital to devise ways to protect them from attack from a potential enemy.

The plan is expected to be presented to President Bush sometime next month. Some of these protective systems, including micro-satellites and sat-jamming systems, could be operational in as little as 18 months.

"I expect it's likely to continue to emphasize the sovereignty of space systems and the right of free passage of those space systems. We believe in the peaceful exploration of space, and there are treaties in place and we continue to abide by those treaties," McClellan told CNN.

FMI: www.defenselink.mil

Advertisement

More News

Sierra Space Repositions Dream Chaser for First Mission

With Testing Soon Complete, Launch Preparations Begin in Earnest Sierra Space's Dream Chaser has been put through the wringer at NASA's Glenn Armstrong Test Facility in Ohio, but w>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.10.24): Takeoff Roll

Takeoff Roll The process whereby an aircraft is aligned with the runway centerline and the aircraft is moving with the intent to take off. For helicopters, this pertains to the act>[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (05.10.24)

“We’re proud of the hard work that went into receiving this validation, and it will be a welcome relief to our customers in the European Union. We couldn’t be mor>[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (05.11.24)

"Aircraft Spruce is pleased to announce the acquisition of the parts distribution operations of Wag-Aero. Wag-Aero was founded in the 1960’s by Dick and Bobbie Wagner in the >[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.11.24): IDENT Feature

IDENT Feature The special feature in the Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System (ATCRBS) equipment. It is used to immediately distinguish one displayed beacon target from other be>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2024 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC