The U.S. Commission on National Security [in the] 21st Century, which released its findings Jan. 31, made recommendations similar to those contained in the report of a commission chaired by Donald Rumsfeld, the new U.S. secretary of defense. The Hart-Rudman panel echoed the Rumsfeld commissions recommendation that the United States should increase its investment in systems that would protect U.S. space assets. Satellites and ground stations are among the nations most critical assets, but are also the most vulnerable, the Hart-Rudman states.

"Nowhere else does our defense capability rest on such an insecure firmament, even though warning and imagery are unquestionably critical," the report said.

Protection will entail the creation of a new space-based surveillance network to detect when systems are being attacked, the report said.

The Hart-Rudman report also endorsed Rumsfeld commissions recommendation to put space higher on the agenda at the White House by establishing a space interagency working group within the National Security Council.

But the Hart-Rudman report recommended the additional step of moving the Pentagons national security space architect to the National Security Council to take the lead in making budget decisions on space programs.

Modernizing space launch capabilities, also a recommendation of the Rumsfeld panel, is also listed in the report as a method of retaining U.S. space superiority, replenish constellations after attack and reduce risk in launches.

The panel also seconded Rumsfelds recommendation to raise the priority of military space issues at the Pentagon by creating a new undersecretary of defense for space, intelligence and information.