Gray Rinehart
11-25-2008, 05:48 AM
Reuters reported that DSP-23, the latest Defense Support Program satellite, stopped transmitting in mid-September. The story is here (http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE4AN8FK20081124). (Hat tip to Bill Romanos (http://twitter.com/BILL_ROMANOS).)
I no longer have access to our space order of battle, and wouldn't go into detail here even if I did, but is it a good sign when a satellite launched only a year ago apparently fails? Probably not -- especially when the Space-Based Infrared System isn't ready yet to take up the mission.
No telling why the spacecraft stopped transmitting -- the space environment is harsh and unforgiving. Which makes me wonder if the higher-tech (and higher-cost) approach of SBIRS was a smart move. But since we have no rapid replacement capability, even if we had a fleet of simpler, cheaper satellites waiting in hot storage, we're not in any position to roll one out and get it into orbit in a timely fashion. (I discussed that situation in this article (http://www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airchronicles/cc/rinehart1.html).)
It remains to be seen if Congress and the next administration recognize the danger of other nations' missiles and do what is necessary to avoid any gaps in our missile warning capabilities.
I no longer have access to our space order of battle, and wouldn't go into detail here even if I did, but is it a good sign when a satellite launched only a year ago apparently fails? Probably not -- especially when the Space-Based Infrared System isn't ready yet to take up the mission.
No telling why the spacecraft stopped transmitting -- the space environment is harsh and unforgiving. Which makes me wonder if the higher-tech (and higher-cost) approach of SBIRS was a smart move. But since we have no rapid replacement capability, even if we had a fleet of simpler, cheaper satellites waiting in hot storage, we're not in any position to roll one out and get it into orbit in a timely fashion. (I discussed that situation in this article (http://www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airchronicles/cc/rinehart1.html).)
It remains to be seen if Congress and the next administration recognize the danger of other nations' missiles and do what is necessary to avoid any gaps in our missile warning capabilities.