Title: A Shot to the Space Brain: The Vulnerability of Command and Control of Non-Military Space Systems
Subject: This study evaluates the vulnerability and robustness of command and control systems for US satellites. The study examines commercial satellites which are planned for use by DOD operations.
Author(s): Sue B. Carter; Thomas S. Kelso (Faculty Advisor)
DTIC Keywords: COMMAND AND CONTROL SYSTEMS, SPACE COMMUNICATIONS, SPACE SYSTEMS, SPACECRAFT ANTENNAS, SPACECRAFT DEFENSE SYSTEMS
Abstract:
The US military is becoming reliant on space systems. These systems provide us
the essential information and communication means required to dominate the
future battle-space. This reliance has extended beyond military programs,
however, and now includes a reliance on commercial and civil systems. While
this trend towards non-military systems is inevitable, does reliance on civil
and commercial space systems create a unique center of gravity for the US
military?
This paper evaluates this issue by first identifying the need to use
non-military systems and then developing a theory for analysis of realistic
vulnerabilities of space systems. The focal point for this analysis is the
command and control segment for a particular program. Four specific civil and
commercial systems (Landsat, SPOT, Radarsat, and INTELSAT) are evaluated in
light of this analysis. What results is an identification of system reliability
based on the program drivers for a specific space system. The bottom line is
that commercial and civil systems are more likely to solve vulnerability
problems rather than create them.