The US Space Force

[In_A_Dream]

They just need a way to tow asteroids from the Asteroid Belt and park them behind the Moon. If a country acts up, just send them an honest shot from space, no one would know.

 

[Grey Havoc]

A bankrupt OneWeb and other troubled space startups could get some help from the Defense Department

"I will say with respect to OneWeb specifically ... we continue to work,” the Space Force's No. 2 officer says.

www.defensenews.com

Want to be Space Command’s new home? Here are the criteria.

The Air Force is officially relaunching a competition to find a home for U.S. Space Command, with a wide set of criteria that could allow dozens of cities to enter the race.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Dilandu]

They just need a way to tow asteroids from the Asteroid Belt and park them behind the Moon. If a country acts up, just send them an honest shot from space, no one would know.

You realize, that there is no stealth in space?

 

[TomcatViP]

Why?!

 

[Arjen]

Because there is nothing to hide behind. All objects in space are in some kind of orbit which can hide them temporarily behind other objects, but not permanently. Unless you send something into the Asteroid Belt, or into Saturn's rings, or the Oort Cloud - in rapidly decreasing order of usefulness in terrestrial conflicts.

 

[sferrin]

Because there is nothing to hide behind. All objects in space are in some kind of orbit which can hide them temporarily behind other objects, but not permanently. Unless you send something into the Asteroid Belt, or into Saturn's rings, or the Oort Cloud - in rapidly decreasing order of usefulness in terrestrial conflicts.

L2 probably being the closest but still not close enough.

 

[LowObservable]

No stealth in space? Someone hasn't read Anathem.

 

[sferrin]

 

[Arjen]

No stealth in space? Someone hasn't read Anathem.

I haven't, but curiosity obliges me to ask - where can I find it? Is it a good read?
<edit> This one? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anathem

 

[The Artist]

View attachment 633258

And Hope you don't get issued a red shirt.

 

[Dilandu]

Why?!

Because space is empty. And "cold" - in therms that background radiation level is very low. Any heat-emitting object (especially the bright torch of rocket engine!) is a very contrast spot on the background. And since the space is empty - nothing to absorb heat radiation - it could be detected from VERY long range. Something like Shuttle engine burning would be easily detectable from beyond Saturn orbit. Something powerful enough to move asteroid? It would be detectable from Alpha Centauri system (4,5 years later, after the light reach them).

There are SOME possible approach how to avoid being detected in space, but they are complex and may be circumvented.

 

[Dilandu]

Generally, if you want to hit Earth with something - comet would probably be better choice. If you somehow smuggle a nuclear-powered spacecraft on the surface - which is not easy, but theoretically doable (for example, you could hide it inside the detached booster stage of some other innocent craft, used as cover, and then use cold gas boosters & solar sails to slowly and coldly change the trajectory toward the comet) - it could just land on comet core, dig itself, and start to use comet matter to create thrust. Since comets are known to sometimes sprout additional tails parts, it could very well be considered a natural event.

 

[In_A_Dream]

You realize, that there is no stealth in space?

That's why they need to hide behind the moon

 

[Dilandu]

That's why they need to hide behind the moon

And how do you get them here unnoticed? Not to mention, that there is a Chinese communication satellite in Lagrange point L2 behind the Moon)

 

[edwest4]

As everyone knows, a "super-duper missile" can immediately destroy anything

There have been proposals to attach engines to large rocks in space. If we can put things in geosynchrous orbit around earth, why not do it behind the moon? Unless of course the Chinese land something there and well... forget that idea.

 

[Dilandu]

There have been proposals to attach engines to large rocks in space. If we can put things in geosynchrous orbit around earth, why not do it behind the moon? Unless of course the Chinese land something there and well... forget that idea.

It is possible to send asteroid to the collision course to Earth. It is not exactly clear, how to aim it at specific area - just making it hit the Earth would be a very challenging proposal, because essentially the only realistic ways we currently could affect asteroid trajectory is to increase/decrease its orbital velocity a little bit. There are probably some asteroids, that have low enough difference in orbital velocity with Earth, that they could be send to collision course with some degree of accuracy, but not much.

 

[Orionblamblam]

Why?!

Because space is empty. And "cold" - in therms that background radiation level is very low. Any heat-emitting object (especially the bright torch of rocket engine!) is a very contrast spot on the background. And since the space is empty - nothing to absorb heat radiation - it could be detected from VERY long range. Something like Shuttle engine burning would be easily detectable from beyond Saturn orbit. Something powerful enough to move asteroid? It would be detectable from Alpha Centauri system (4,5 years later, after the light reach them).

There are SOME possible approach how to avoid being detected in space, but they are complex and may be circumvented.

Someone who wanted to go to the effort could certainly make a stealthy Earth impactor. For now, the only decent ways to detect a rock at a long range is either optically or via IR. Optically can be defeated by simply making the asteroid dark...a dusting of carbon will do the trick. IR can be dealt with by active cooling. Heat can be rejected by either jettisoning high temperature gas from a conventional refrigeration process, or by radiators; if the radiators are hidden *behind* the impactor, then you should remain relatively invisible. For right now, essentially all sensors capable of spotting such an impactor are on or near the Earth, makign it easy to hide from them.

Another approach would be to set up a large-ish flat reflector, a big sheet of mylar or some such. A bit bigger than the impactor, basically just a mirror to hide behind. So long as the mirror is angled so that nothing much reflects back towards Earth, the impactor should be pretty well invisible.

 

[TomcatViP]

@Dilandu : I am not convinced by the thermal alibi once again pushed in front of reader eyes to justify the existence of anti-stealth lullabies.
Solar sail ship or Hall thruster?! How would you cope with that? And as suggested by @Orionblamblam a kinetic missile would do it. Heck I am even wondering if David could not desorbit a nano-sat today (Maths for today). Good luck to you detecting his thermal signature.

 

[Dilandu]

Solar sail ship or Hall thruster?!

Newsflash: solar sail is a great reflective surface which is HARD to hide, and hall thruster required a lot of electric power to work - which production produce heat, yep)

 

[Orionblamblam]

Newsflash: solar sail is a great reflective surface which is HARD to hide,

???? What does a distant mirror look like in deep space from a great distance?

Try this: set up a mirror in a distant field, angled somewhat upwards. Wait for a *really* dark night, then try to spot the mirror using a single flashlight. Unless the light beam is directed back to *you*, all you will see of it is what it reflects back to you... darkness.

 

[martinbayer]

Perhaps Trump's original "inspiration" for this org came from watching this over four decades ago, so potentially all of the discussions here are akin to debating how many angels can dance on the head of a pin:

 

[chimeric oncogene]

Newsflash: solar sail is a great reflective surface which is HARD to hide,

???? What does a distant mirror look like in deep space from a great distance?

Try this: set up a mirror in a distant field, angled somewhat upwards. Wait for a *really* dark night, then try to spot the mirror using a single flashlight. Unless the light beam is directed back to *you*, all you will see of it is what it reflects back to you... darkness.

It's still going to be a county sized mirror if you want to move an asteroid of any significance in a reasonable time. Bigger than most asteroids in the belt. It's going to be warmish, and enormous, and moving a rock with it will take years, enough time for a really good sky survey in the IR to pick up.

Anyway, you don't necessarily need perfect stealth to have deception. If the Russians are to be believed, the US has secret sat constellations that the Russians have just started to find. A traditional balloon decoy eluded amateur exposure for years (solar radiation pressure gave it away).

A balloon decoy or conical mirror shield just needs to work long enough... but if you burn your thrusters and the enemy is watching, you've just given yourself away.

And there are counters to everything. Big imaging satellites like PANNSTARS in space, big NEOCAM analogs scattered throughout the belt or HEO... mixed in with civilian infrastructure...

And of course those can be spoofed or attacked or blinded or cyberattacked...

 

[Michel Van]

According the German Newsmagazine STERN
Has the US Space Force a serious problem with a new Enemy

NETFLIX

It's not about comedy Series "Space Force" it self, but right to use the name "Space Force"
Seems that NETFLIX bought Worldwide the rights for name "the US Space Force" and "Space Force"
Means NETFLIX legal own the rights and NOT the Pentagon !
but with "little" charges they will lent the name to grind teeth Pentagon

oh by the way
NETFLIX got uniforms better as the Original...

Source

Wem gehört die Space Force? Wie Netflix Trumps Pentagon austrickste

Als Donald Trump den Kampf um das All ankündigte, sah Netflix die Gelegenheit - und nahm die neue Space Force mit einer eigenen Satire-Show auf die Schippe. Die könnte nun das Pentagon in die Bredouille bringen.

www.stern.de

 

[Grey Havoc]

FCC Cracks Under Hill Pressure On Ligado 5G Network - Breaking Defense

"I'm very confident going forward that we've made a decision that is based much more on sound engineering as opposed to some of the fear mongering that we've heard," FCC Chairman Ajit Pai says.

breakingdefense.com

House Strategic Forces Fences Space Force, SDA, GPS Funds - Breaking Defense

"The committee is concerned that the SDA is not positioned to execute its mission in an effective manner" and is not "equipped to focus on the many priorities it has set," the Strategic Forces Subcommittee asserts.

breakingdefense.com

More DoD Resignations: R&E Head Mike Griffin & Deputy Lisa Porter - Breaking Defense

Rumors had started flying that Griffin might be pushed out as long ago as last June.

breakingdefense.com

 

[Grey Havoc]

Space Force to stand up three major commands, lower echelons to be called ‘deltas’

The three major commands are Space Operations Command, Space Systems Command and Space Training and Readiness Command.

spacenews.com

Here’s how the Space Force will be organized

The Space Force will be comprised of three major commands devoted to training, procurement and operations.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Grey Havoc]

Space Force launches third GPS III satellite

The new, powerful GPS III satellites are a marked improvement over their predecessors, providing three times more accuracy and up to eight times more anti-jamming power.

www.c4isrnet.com

Space Force walks back stimulus contracts for small launch providers

The government says it “is re-evaluating its strategy on how best to proceed with this action." The Space Force had initially said it would award rideshare contracts to six small launch providers via the Defense Production Act.

www.c4isrnet.com

 

[uk 75]

They just need a way to tow asteroids from the Asteroid Belt and park them behind the Moon. If a country acts up, just send them an honest shot from space, no one would know.

Them there United Nashuns Folks are doing just that, its in this weeks Nashnul Dishcuvrer.

 

[TomcatViP]

United States Space Command — the newest of 11 unified commands in the U.S. Department of Defense — is temporarily headquartered in Colorado Springs. But this might change with Palmdale vying for New U.S. Space Command Headquarters:

"With the rich aerospace history of Palmdale and the Antelope Valley, there is no better place for a project like this,” Palmdale Mayor Steve Hofbauer said in a statement issued Thursday. “Some of the most sophisticated aircraft, including the Space Shuttles, have been designed, built, flown and tested here at Plant 42 and at Edwards Air Force Base. Aerospace is in our DNA!”

Amphibious Assault Ship USS Boxer Marks 25 Years of Service in San Diego Ceremony

The crew of the San Diego-based USS Boxer marked the amphibious assault ship's 25th anniversary with a ceremony in the vessel's giant hangar bay.

timesofsandiego.com

 

[Orionblamblam]

United States Space Command — the newest of 11 unified commands in the U.S. Department of Defense — is temporarily headquartered in Colorado Springs. But this might change with Palmdale vying for New U.S. Space Command Headquarters:

That would be a terrible idea. Coastal targets are easily trashed.

 

[Grey Havoc]

Politics and rationality are strange bedfellows at the best of times, unfortunately.

 

[TomcatViP]

It depends what's would be the intended challenge to face: Palmade is well protected airspace wise with a pléthore of airbase and
interceptors. It's close by proximity with major aerospace prime sites and new technology centers ease secure development and safe sustainement of products. Labor wise, the cyclical nature of aerospace and military command will ease career change in a dynamic way and help USSC to surf on innovation with dedicated individuals not short of career opportunities (more resiliency against informants).

Obviously also, Palmade is not short of major entertainment places around to blow off steam, helping in attracting young (or less young) talents.

Not too bad.

 

[Grey Havoc]

Space Force’s stopgap polar communications system passes another milestone

The ground system that will control the Enhanced Polar System Recapitalization payloads had passed its delta critical design review.

www.c4isrnet.com

 

[Grey Havoc]

Further to that cancellation of those small launch contracts:

Small-launch contracts diverted to small-business loans. The $116 million that the US Department of Defense set aside for small-launch contracts under the Defense Production Act have been redirected to other priorities, SpaceNews reports. The Pentagon had approved funding the small-launch contracts but, at the last minute, decided to shift the money to small-business loan programs that were considered a more urgent priority. It is unlikely that those contracts will be awarded any time soon, the US Air Force's top procurement official Will Roper said.


DoD says of the funds: You can't aevum ... About a month ago, the military announced it intended to award contracts to six small-launch providers financially impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. On July 1 DoD withdrew the contracts that would have been awarded to Aevum, Astra, X-Bow, Rocket Lab, Space Vector, and VOX Space to launch two rideshare missions over the next 24 months. Awarding the launch contracts now will require additional funding from Congress. (submitted by Ken the Bin)

Rocket Report: Another Chinese launch failure, Minotaur IV soars

“We cannot at this moment precisely quantify the delay.”…

arstechnica.com

One tends to detect an odour emanating from the direction of Denmark...

 

[TomcatViP]

The Space Force is looking to share the SAAL with more partners within Operation Olympic Defender. According to the announcement, the Secretary of the Air Force’s International Affairs Office, SPACECOM and the Space Force have recognized a new framework that will allow other coalition partners to begin receiving SAAL. SPACECOM has signed a number of space data sharing agreements with other countries in recent months.

US Space Force to begin sharing technical space data with UK

Under a new arrangement, the United Kingdom will be able to access space situational awareness data from the U.S. Space Force.

www.c4isrnet.com

 

[TomcatViP]

“To be clear, our objective is to deter conflict,” [Gen. James] Dickinson said during the ceremony. Defense News traveled to the change-of-command ceremony with Defense Secretary Mark Esper.
“However, should deterrence fail, our imperative is clear. We will win. To do so, we will require a space warfighting culture that permeates the entire command,” he said. “My pledge to you is that my focus on a commander will be developing, nurturing, and embracing a space warfighting culture.”

Pentagon’s new space organizations take shape as leadership comes onboard

The Space Force and Space Command have both been swearing in a number of senior officials that will shape the direction of the organizations.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Grey Havoc]

Not a good sign:

Industry Says ‘Meh’ To DoD Cislunar Space Push - Breaking Defense

At the moment, industry sources say, there is no money to be had for developing systems for DoD's cislunar operations.

breakingdefense.com

 

[aonestudio]

US Space Force confirms Space Based Infrared System detected missile attack in January

Chief of Space Operations Gen. John "Jay" Raymond has confirmed suspicions that the Space Based Infrared System was used to detect more than a dozen missiles launched at U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq back in January.

www.c4isrnet.com

Space Force issues $298M contract for new anti-jamming satellite design

The Evolved Strategic SATCOM program will eventually replace the Advanced Extremely High Frequency constellation in providing survivable, jam-resistant communications.

www.c4isrnet.com

 

[TomcatViP]

NASA and the Space Force have penned this MOU to "affirm a strong interest in continuing their longstanding partnership for mutually beneficial collaborative activities in furtherance of space exploration, scientific discovery, and security," the MOU reads.

NASA and US Space Force team up for planetary defense, moon trips and more

NASA and the United States Space Force are banding together for the future of human spaceflight.

www.space.com

Notice the SAR mission.... Space (Combat) Search and Rescue!

 

[Grey Havoc]

A lot depends on what happens in November though.

 

[TomS]

Notice the SAR mission.... Space (Combat) Search and Rescue!

Oh, come on. They're talking about SAR in the context of manned space launch. If NASA launches a manned flight from a Space Force facility (Cape Canaveral, for example) and it aborts, the USSF is responsible for the SAR effort. That's all this is about. USSF has given no indication of having any plans to get into the manned space flight business itself any time soon.