US takes control of space

This entry was published at least two years ago (originally posted on May 23, 2003). Since that time the information may have become outdated or my beliefs may have changed (in general, assume a more open and liberal current viewpoint). A fuller disclaimer is available.

Not satisfied with our current land-based campaigns to keep a grip on the rest of the world (whether they want it or not), it appears the US is looking to lock down space-based tactics also — and other countries don’t get a choice.

The nation’s largest intelligence agency by budget and in control of all U.S. spy satellites, NRO is talking openly with the U.S. Air Force Space Command about actively denying the use of space for intelligence purposes to any other nation at any time — not just adversaries, but even longtime allies, according to NRO director Peter Teets.

At the National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs in early April, Teets proposed that U.S. resources from military, civilian and commercial satellites be combined to provide “persistence in total situational awareness, for the benefit of this nation’s war fighters.” If allies don’t like the new paradigm of space dominance, said Air Force secretary James Roche, they’ll just have to learn to accept it. The allies, he told the symposium, will have “no veto power.”

“Insane,” was my first thought. Here’s an arms race that is bound to get dangerous quickly.

(via Ars Technica)