SWF's Brian Weeden presents at Washington press luncheon "Satellite Laser Blinding"

SWF Technical Advisor Brian Weeden and Dr. Yousaf Butt of the Union of Concerned Scientists were the featured speakers at a press luncheon on "Satellite Laser Blinding" held on 27 August at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington, DC. Yousaf spoke about his recent article in the journal "Science and Global Security" in which he discussed the possibility that the 2006 reports of China "dazzling" US intelligence satellites was actually the result of satellite laser ranging (SLR).

The more than 40 SLR sites world-wide are used primarily to produce very accurate positions of satellites for their owners. Other peaceful, legitimate reasons for firing lasers into space, including laser communications research and adaptive telescope optics, and their potential to harm satellites were also discussed.

Brian focused his remarks on the existing United States regulations for lasers fired into space, including the Lasing Clearing House (LCH). Operated by US Strategic Command as part of the Joint Space Operations Center at Vandenberg AFB in California, the LCH is responsible for screening all US Department of Defense lasers being fired into space and ensuring that they do not endanger any active satellites. Brian also talked about some aspects of intentional law on this issue, and the in expanding the LCH function internationally.

Dr. Suzanne Metlay, SWF Operations Director, to discuss meteorites on local Denver television program

Dr. Suzanne Metlay, SWF Operations Director, will be featured on Denver's NBC Channel 9 (KUSA-TV) today at 4:45 PM MDT. Host Steve Spangler will be discussing meteorites.

Check out the interview here. Look for the title "Spangler Science: A meteorite hit my house". You can also get more details at Spangler's blog here.

SWF's Brian Weeden participates in Asia and Space Security Workshop

SWF Technical Advisor Brian Weeden took part in a one-day workshop on Asia and Space Security. The fourth in a series, the workshop was organized by the Eisenhower Center for Space and Defense Studies (part of the United States Air Force Academy) and held in Vancouver, Canada on 13 August.

The event brought together a community of scholars and experts from several Pacific Basin countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, China, and Japan, to participate in a one-day roundtable discussion. Topics ranged from economics and political goals for the use of space, space situational awareness, deterrence and defense concepts, and arms control and verification.

SWF's Technical Advisor Brian Weeden quoted in ECOWorldly

Brian Weeden, Technical Advisor for Secure World Foundation, was quoted in an ECOWorldly.com article entitled "4 Million Pounds of Space Junk Polluting Earth’s Orbit," written by Timothy Hurst.

In the article, which focuses on the growing problem of orbital debris, Weeden points out that while issues of mitigation and removal of debris have been studied for decades, the legal and policy aspects related to the problem are fairly recent.

Read the article here.

Budget Analysis Details U.S. Space Security Programs

A budget analysis has been completed which examines a range of Department of Defense (DoD) space security programs outlined in its Fiscal Year 2010 budget request.

The review focuses on a suite of DoD space-related efforts, including high energy laser research, space control technology, and operationally responsive space, as well as microsatellite and rendezvous technology, missile defense and space situational awareness.

As highlighted in the analysis, the only funding apparent for a dedicated, unclassified anti-satellite capability is that which provides a temporary and reversible means of disrupting satellite operations.

The budget analysis -- titled Space Security Programs of Interest in the FY 2010 Department of Defense Budget Proposal -- was developed by Victoria Samson, the Washington, D.C. Office Director for Secure World Foundation (SWF) and Samuel Black, a Research Associate at the Stimson Center in Washington, D.C.

Enhancing U.S. capabilities
This year’s DoD budget request for FY2010 contains funding for many programs that affect space security and sustainability, explained SWF’s Samson.

“These programs received our attention because they are designed to enhance U.S. capabilities to monitor the space environment and ensure that its space assets can continue to function as planned,” Samson said.

Samson said that there are no overt, unclassified space weapons programs. “Instead, there is a heavy emphasis on improving space situational awareness and space control...both offensive and defensive,” she added.

New Report Spotlights Near Earth Objects

Keep an eye out for a new report on Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) to be issued August 12 by the prestigious National Research Council (NRC).

A blue-ribbon panel of experts has been engaged in a major look at the NEO threat.

The NRC study to be issued will be an interim report on Near-Earth Object Surveys and Hazard Mitigation Strategies

This interim report will contain only findings and no recommendations, according to SWF sources. It's the intention of the NRC committee looking into this matter to issue its final report by the end of the year.

For SWF-related information on the NEO threat, go to this website's section on Near Earth Objects.

Also, check out these SWF-issued releases on NEOs:

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/553636/

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/546932/

By Leonard David, SWF Research Associate