June 08, 2003
Space - the next frontier of defense
The U.S. has a plan to manage space on behalf of our national security and that of other free nations, and by extension, in opposition to those who would threaten us. Naturally, this will now be another opportunity for one-worlders to wring their hands. I would think that any country that is (a) an ally and (b) sufficiently mature technically and strategically, could be a partner. Something to watch.
The United States is planning to take control of parts of space and develop patrolling military aircraft in orbit as part of a revived Star Wars proposal for an American military empire above the ozone layer. According to James Roche, the US Air Force Secretary, America's allies would have "no veto power" over projects designed to achieve American military control of space.Posted by Alan at June 8, 2003 12:36 PMThe key theme of the ambitious plans is described as "negation" - the denial of the use of space for military intelligence, or other purposes, without American endorsement.
The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), the intelligence agency that is responsible for US spy satellites, is to develop a strategy that ensures America's allies, as well as its enemies, never gain access to the same space resources without Washington's permission. Recent proposals that have been circulated at Space Command and NRO briefings suggest that access to "near-earth space" may be refused to other nations.
All GPS satellites are located within near-earth space, which covers the orbital distance from Earth to the moon. A fleet of spacecraft will be developed, designed to attack and destroy future satellites of enemies and rivals. The rapid-launch "military space plane," the potential cost of which has not been disclosed, would also be used as a mobile "bodyguard" for US space installations. It would be the first "space plane" in history with a directly military function.
A prototype is expected by 2005 although military deployment is not expected before 2014.