Gray Rinehart
05-29-2008, 01:34 PM
NewScientist.com reports, "Pentagon wants laser attack warnings for satellites." And why not?
The story (http://technology.newscientist.com/channel/tech/dn14002-pentagon-wants-laser-attack-warnings-for-satellites.html?feedId=online-news_rss20) by Paul Marks states,
The Pentagon is developing sensors to pinpoint a ground-based laser attempting to blind one of its spy satellites. The move will be interpreted as a further step towards the militarisation of space, say some experts.
Pentagon officials have privately voiced concern that malfunctioning spy satellites might actually be the target of "illumination" by Chinese forces testing such technology.
Last year the Space Superiority Systems Wing, a department within the US Air Force responsible for developing military space technology, called on contractors to develop technologies to "sense and attribute" a laser attack, in a program called Self Awareness/Space Situation Awareness (SASSA).
... The US Air Force wants to fly a demonstration SASSA system aboard TacSat-5, a satellite for testing new technologies that will launch in 2011.
And a good thing, too, I think. It would be good to know where the threat is coming from.
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A final, interesting note: the article states that "An Air Force document obtained by the Project On Government Oversight, describes SASSA as 'crucial to enabling a full range of US responses from diplomatic to military in the event of hostile action against our spacecraft.'" And what is that mysterious Air Force document? The unfunded -- emphasis on UN-funded -- priorities list.
The story (http://technology.newscientist.com/channel/tech/dn14002-pentagon-wants-laser-attack-warnings-for-satellites.html?feedId=online-news_rss20) by Paul Marks states,
The Pentagon is developing sensors to pinpoint a ground-based laser attempting to blind one of its spy satellites. The move will be interpreted as a further step towards the militarisation of space, say some experts.
Pentagon officials have privately voiced concern that malfunctioning spy satellites might actually be the target of "illumination" by Chinese forces testing such technology.
Last year the Space Superiority Systems Wing, a department within the US Air Force responsible for developing military space technology, called on contractors to develop technologies to "sense and attribute" a laser attack, in a program called Self Awareness/Space Situation Awareness (SASSA).
... The US Air Force wants to fly a demonstration SASSA system aboard TacSat-5, a satellite for testing new technologies that will launch in 2011.
And a good thing, too, I think. It would be good to know where the threat is coming from.
___
A final, interesting note: the article states that "An Air Force document obtained by the Project On Government Oversight, describes SASSA as 'crucial to enabling a full range of US responses from diplomatic to military in the event of hostile action against our spacecraft.'" And what is that mysterious Air Force document? The unfunded -- emphasis on UN-funded -- priorities list.