COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO The commander of the nations space warfighting capability looks to a strengthening and increased use of space for military functions.
Air Force General Ralph Eberhart, Commander-in-Chief of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, U.S. Space Command here, said that "bad winds" have affected the nation, given the horrific acts of terrorism that America suffered last year. It was a "terrible storm" for this great nation, he said.
Eberhart kicked off a week of discussion regarding the future of U.S. civilian and military space programs at the 18th National Space Symposium Opening the Space Frontier, the Next Giant Leap, and sponsored by The Space Foundation.
Tail winds too
Eberhart said there are several tail winds that bode well for both military and civilian space agendas.
For Air Force military space, much has been done recently to streamline efforts to bring new space capabilities into fruition from drawing board to procurement and then placement into space. Similar efforts are underway in the other services, Eberhart said, such as the Navy "as they begin to reorganize and place the right emphasis on space and information operations."
"I think our space program in most cases is on track, but there are some concerns up there," Eberhart pointed out.
Problems on the horizon
Eberhart said there are several problems on the military space horizon.
For one, replacement is needed for Defense Support Program (DSP) satellites with the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS). That initiative remains a troubled program, Eberhart said.
"Its not a question of whether the requirements are valid. Its not a question of whether or not we need SIBRS to replace the DSP program. Its how we ensure that we are good stewards of taxpayer dollars and bring these capabilities to bear given the budget we have to work with and the timelines that we have in needing this capability," he said.
The DSP satellites are continuing to serve the country. "Thank goodness weve not had to use it to detect missile launches," Eberhart said. But in terms of technical intelligence and battlespace characterization, the DSP spacecraft have been invaluable, Eberhart said.
Boosted bandwidth
Military satellite communications needs are still cloudy at the moment, Eberhart said. "Its so very important. We have to get this right," the General said.
The bandwidth in use right now on the global war on terrorism is seven times the bandwidth available to military forces years ago in Desert Storm, Eberhart said. A deployed individual in wartime today has 322 times the bandwidth available to him or to her than was available a few years back, he said.
"Some say curb your appetitejust learn to live with the bandwidth you have. I dont think thats wise at all and is shortsighted," Eberhart said. Increased military satellite communications allows the situational awareness and the command and control of military forces, making them highly effective and lethal, he said.
Military space plane plans
Eberhart said he has been frustrated in the past regarding reusable launch vehicle (RLV) development. A just completed study, now in review at the Pentagon, has painted a picture of how best NASA and the Department of the Defense can work together on RLVs, he pointed out.
"We have a way ahead that makes sense," Eberhart. "I stand here excited" about RLVsand it makes sense for this nation, for NASA and for our military missions.
"I think a reusable launch vehicle will really be the key to opening and conquering the space frontier," Eberhart. "I know that NASA and the Department of Defense are working on thisand obviously the ramification for the commercial space industry and our scientific communities are very important," he said.
No specific details, however, were offered on the meshing of U.S. Air Force requirements for a military space plane and future boosters being scoped out as part of NASAs Space Launch Initiative.
Space bomber
Hall talk at the symposium suggests that, for the first time, a compelling case has been made by Air Force space strategists for quick access to space via an automated military space plane.
One item driving the military space plane into reality is the proliferation of anti-aircraft missiles worldwide, according to an industry source. Ground-to-air missile technology is making the airborne bomber of today far too susceptible.
The militarys next bomber is likely to be a space plane, the source said.
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