Outer space security

New bill could shift space tracking away from DoD

One of Capitol Hill’s most active lawmakers on space issues is planning to unveil a space reform bill this spring that could shift responsibility for tracking objects in orbit away from the Defense Department.

In a Jan. 15 interview with Defense News, Rep. Jim Bridenstine, R-Okla., offered details on the American Space Renaissance Act, which he plans to roll out during the Space Foundation’s annual Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in April.

The bill may eventually include language to transition responsibility for space situational awareness and space traffic management from the Pentagon to civilian agencies, Bridenstine said. Up until now, DoD has been responsible for monitoring and regulating space by default. However, with new advances in technology leading to more congestion in space, DoD, and particularly the Air Force, will soon be struggling to keep up with the workload.

Outer space security

Space Fence passes critical design review

Lockheed Martin's Space Fence System has passed critical design review.

The three-day test included the demonstration of "a small-scale system built with end-item components that detected and tracked orbiting space objects," according to a Lockheed Martin news release.

The Space Fence S-band radar system design, which will detect, track and catalog orbital objects in space more than 1.5 million times a day to predict and prevent space-based collisions, Lockheed Martin said.

Outer space security

US admits: 7 military satellites may explode on orbit 

The US military authorities note, that seven orbiting meteorological satellites may explode, as DMSP-F13 did on February, 3.

The 13^th Defense Meteorological Satellite Program exploded leaving a debris field of at least 43 to 100 large fragments and more than 50,000 pieces smaller than 1 millimeter.