NEWS RELEASE
DIRECTORATE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, Headquarters, U.S. Space Command,
250 S. Peterson Blvd, Ste 116, Peterson Air Force Base, CO
80914-3190
Phone: (719) 554-6889 FAX: (719) 554-3165 DSN:
692-6889 E-Mail: noussppa@spacecom.af.mil
TOP MILITARY SPACE
OFFICER URGES CONGRESS
TO HELP FULFILL "PROMISE OF SPACE"
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release No. 4-98
11 MARCH 98
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Gen. Howell M. Estes III, commander in chief of U.S. Space Command, today urged Congress (in prepared testimony) to continue funding space programs critical to fulfilling the "promise of space," and to promote public awareness of space’s vital importance to Americans’ security, economic prosperity and quality of life.
"Space capabilities impact almost every industry, every person, and every military strategy," stressed General Estes.
However, he warned that the nation must guard against the day when an adversary attempts to turn this growing American dependence on space into a vulnerability. "The freedom to operate in space . . . should not be taken for granted," he said.
The Air Force general said his top priorities are improving space support to U.S. fighting forces today, and to protect the nation’s interests and investments in space tomorrow. He outlined U.S. Space Command’s efforts aimed at achieving both.
For example, the command recently spearheaded an effort to better integrate space into joint operations. On Jan. 29 President Clinton signed a Unified Command Plan that designated U.S. Space Command as the single focal point for far-flung military space operations and gave it traditional responsibilities shared by regional commanders.
A comprehensive Long Range Plan scheduled to be completed in early April will provide a gameplan for meeting key space needs by 2020 by:
Fully integrating space forces with land, sea and air forces
Assuring U.S. and allied access to, and freedom to operate in, space -- and denying the same to an adversary when required
Applying precision force from, and through, space
Leveraging civil, commercial, and international space systems to cost-effectively augment military systems
Gen Estes urged Congressional support for specific efforts critical to the success of the Long Range Plan:
Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) to improve both strategic and theater missile warning and defense
Joint Tactical Ground System (JTAGS) upgrades to improve accuracy and timeliness of warning and defense against "Scud" and similar theater attacks against U.S. troops overseas
Assured Access to Space
Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles (EELV) built by two competing firms to reduce launch costs
Protecting the radio frequency spectrum via a long-range strategy that balances commercial demands with military and civil needs
Global Positioning System (GPS) and Navigation Warfare (NAVWAR) -- assuring military access to GPS during conflicts, selectively denying it to adversaries and minimizing the impact on other users.
Military Satellite Communications (MILSATCOM) that will rely on a mix of commercial and military systems to meet growing needs.
Partnerships with the civil and commercial sectors, as well as allies to leverage development efforts with limited DoD funding.
"We cannot turn back the clock," General Estes concluded. "The Information Age is upon us, the rush to exploit orbital space is unmistakable, and forces have been cut in anticipation of space’s promise."
"The chance to find resources will come . . . the risk is in delaying too long. Given the lead time required to develop cutting-edge technologies into military utility, today’s budget decisions will not begin to influence capability for another decade-and-a-half," he said.
"Space . . . will generate vast wealth, improve standards of living and undoubtedly impact the way of life for hundreds of millions of people," he predicted.
"We must make this space vision a
reality."
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