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