and surveillance. In many cases space systems are so much more effective and so much less expensive than surface-based systems, which have classically performed similar functions, that we are abandoning or dismantling our backup ground-based systems completely. This fact has led us to conclude that we must renew our efforts to protect our space assets, to make them less vulnerable to physical and electronic attack.... "1. Space Shuttle The Department of Defense is committed to support and utilize NASA's Space Shuttle. The Space Shuttle holds great promise for reducing the cost of our military space operations while at the same time introducing a new capability which could make our space operations even more effective. We see our role as that of a major user once the development is complete.... "To assure uninterrupted military space operations, to minimize changes to our costly payloads and to make possible early DoD use of the shuttle with its low projected launch costs, DoD has initiated a program to modify an existing upper stage for Shuttle use. In FY 1975 we are studying a number of upper stage approaches. During FY 1976 we plan to select the minimum RDT&E cost Interim Upper Stage (IUS) which can most effectively meet our needs over the early years of Shuttle use until NASA is able to provide a sophisticated stage capable of meeting the needs of all But this NASA stage may not come into being before the late 1980's. Also in FY 1976, we plan to proceed with the IUS validation phase, which will be the next step in acquiring the stage for Shuttle use. users. "Today the majority of our space launches are conducted from Vandenberg. Because Vandenberg is located on the West Coast, we can achieve high inclination orbits which cannot be achieved safely from Kennedy Space Center. To assure a continuation of this polar orbit capability, during this calendar year we are defining the minimum cost modifications to Vandenberg necessary to provide a Shuttle launch and landing capability. In FY 1976 we will begin the development of detailed design criteria necessary to support future construction of this facility. Once our essential needs are met, this facility will be available for Shuttle launch of civil payloads. "Our program transition planning will be conducted in much greater detail during the coming year. A special Defense Science Board Task Force has been established to study the use of the Space Shuttle in future DoD missions. Specifically, the Task Force will suggest innovative spacecraft designs and entirely new space system operating concepts which may be practical and desirable with the Shuttle. The Shuttle provides new capabilities such as payload recovery and reuse, on-orbit check out and servicing of payloads, and increased payload volume and weight lifting capability, all of which can lead to more effective, flexible, and economical military space operations. This emphasis on new payload design and mission concepts will be an integral part of our transition planning. Our planning now calls for launch of our high priority military payloads on the Shuttle beginning in 1980 from Kennedy Space Center using the IUS and from Vandenberg starting in December 1982. During the period of early Shuttle use we would plan to phase out from inventory our current costly expendable launch vehicles and supporting launch complexes. "We have high confidence in NASA's ability to manage the development of the Shuttle and to achieve their program milestones. Our own effort is carefully coordinated with the NASA development program. 11 2. ... NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS) "In my view, the NAVSTAR program is one of the most far reaching in its impact and one of the most forward looking within the Department of Defense. It can have a revolutionary effect on both strategic and tactical warfare. Unprecedented measurement precision of platform position and velocity in three dimensions will be possible for any elements of our forces equipped with NAVST AR receivers. This factor opens up vast new opportunities for multiplying force effectiveness. Ultimately, we may be able to use NAVSTAR to complement our accurate inertial guidance systems. As a fall-out benefit, we will be able to use NAVSTAR's nanosecond clock accuracies to synchronize our jam-resistant battlefield communications systems for more rapid message acquisition and anti-jam effectiveness. "The programs include the Air Force Satellite Communications System, the Defense Satellite Communications System and the Fleet Satellite Communications System. "Satellite communications systems can solve high priority communications problems either not solvable, or more difficult and expensive to solve, or impractical to solve by other means. These systems can also be used as high priority alternate routing for other systems as a means of enhancing survivability. Moreover, the global, changing communications needs of defense can often be best accommodated by satellite where for modest investment in capacity, great flexibility in geographic allocation can be achieved. " Reading List 1. Colby, C. B. Space Age Spinoffs. New York: CowardMcCann and Geoghegan, 1972. 2. 3. 4. Corliss, William R. The Viking Mission to Mars. Washington, Klass, Philip J. Secret Sentries in Space. New York: Random Papogiannis, Michael D. Space Physics and Space Astronomy. 5. Peterson, Robert W., ed. Space: From Gemini to the Moon and Beyond. New York: Facts on File, 1972. 6. 7. 8. Puttkamer, Jesco von and Mc Cullough, Thomas J., eds. U. S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. U. S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Space Shuttle. Office, 1975 TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS The transportation and telecommunications industries are keys to any nation's economic wealth, industrial achievement, and national power. The development of a country is largely dependent on the efficiency of its transportation and communications systems. The U. S. has developed rapidly because it has been blessed with a highly diversified natural system of rivers and lakes, and because, from its beginning, the government has appreciated the need of low cost transportation and communications. The government has encouraged the rapid expansion of these industries through subsidies and government regulated monopolies. Our systems are not only the most advanced in the world but are among the few that are not government-owned and operated. The U. S. has today the largest railway and highway systems of any nation in the world, and has by far the largest amount of highway and railway rolling stock. But less than 5 percent of the world's ships fly the American flag although we use up to 25 percent of the world's shipping to carry our trade. Past wars have shown that we must have the ability to expand rapidly to handle wartime requirements. Our highway system could expand rapidly, but our railway system lacks rolling stock, particularly passenger cars. Many of our trackbeds are in poor condition. Our commercial ship's have in recent years been too few, too old and noncompetitive, but improvements are being made. Our air industry is also the world's largest, and is growing rapidly, as are our waterway systems and pipelines. With proper management, the se systems will be able to meet any foreseen requirement. The greatest need is for a coordinated transportation system to permit all the diverse elements of the industry to expand and to be competitive. Our potential adversaries are behind us in most fields of transportation, but we must continue to expand if we are to stay ahead and meet the requirements of the future. Continuing economic growth and consequent expansion of international trade will exert great pressures on marine transportation in the years ahead. New types of bigger, faster ships, improved methods of handling cargo, and more efficient ways of building ships will all result from the shipping industry's effort to match its productivity with the volume of trade it must carry and the services required by shippers. |