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$29M To Start US Satellite Protection Program

Posted by kdawson on from the space-race dept.

coondoggie sends in a Network World piece that begins "The Air Force laid out $29 million in contracts this week to build space-based sensors that could detect threats or hazards and protect satellites in orbit. Assurance Technologies and Lockheed Martin Space Systems will split $20 million of the two-year contract that the Air Force says should ultimately demonstrate a viable sensing capability, as well as integration with other space systems to offer threat and hazard detection, assessment and notification ... The Air Force is looking to protect satellites from ground based lasers or anti-satellite missiles mostly."

5 of 74 comments (clear)

  1. That's a Nice Satellite There... by Greyfox · · Score: 4, Funny

    Be a shame if something was to happen to it. (*Crash*) Whoops. How clumsy of me...

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    I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?

  2. $29 Million? by Entropy98 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    $29 million doesn't buy much these days.
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      IP Finding

    1. Re:$29 Million? by MozeeToby · · Score: 3, Informative

      I was thinking the same thing. For 29 Million, you probably get a requirements document, a feasibility study to see if the idea is even workable, and maybe a high level architecture. If you hire a small, agile company (read: 'cheap') you might get some kind of small, proof of concept for one or two small parts of the system with the highest risk of failure.

  3. Re:Aren't the armed forces already.. by BlowHole666 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If someone starts blowing up satellites you have bigger problems then someone affording plane tickets. We can not protect our borders effectively without satellites , boats use GPS so shipping is effected. Trains use GPS to track their locations so so trade by train is effected. When you purchase gas with a credit card the transaction is sent via satellite so credit card purchases are effected. Cell phones are effected if satellites are taken out. So in other words stop to think that maybe this is a good project because the second the US starts loosing satellites we have some huge problems on our hands.

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  4. Re:laser protection? by wiggles · · Score: 4, Informative

    If you had read the first paragraph of TFA, you would have read this:

    demonstrate a viable sensing capability, as well as integration with other space systems to offer threat and hazard detection, assessment and notification.

    In other words, it's not so much about protecting the satellite, but confirming that the satellite was or was not hit by some sort of laser. That would be some pretty valuable intelligence, if you ask me. The system will tell DOD that somebody's shooting at their stuff, not preventing someone from shooting at them.