Keeping the Space Edge ... Leveraging Commercial Space Technology for Military Uses

Book excerpt: The commercial Space industry is expanding at a rapid rate. Spending in the commercial Space industry between 1995 and 2010 will top $100 billion. This large commercial push for placing satellites in Space combined with the limited Department of Defense (DoD) Space budget makes it difficult for the military to keep pace with the latest and most advanced commercial capabilities. Rather than trying to go toe-to-toe and match commercial spending in Space, an alternative for the U.S. military is to leverage this incredible commercial investment. For example, DoD and the intelligence community increasingly rely on satellites for reconnaissance, surveillance, early warning of missile launches, weather forecasts, navigation, and communications. The increase in commercial Space capabilities is allowing DoD to carefully weigh which multibillion-dollar Space systems are affordable. Dedicated military Space systems are not likely to be procured when suitable commercial systems are available. Commercial placement of satellites in Space focus in four major areas: communications, remote sensing, imagery, and navigation. Each of these focus areas provides the military with a significant opportunity to leverage the commercial investment in Space.