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| 1 |
ID:
142102
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| Summary/Abstract |
A lack of consensus on the requirements for adequate monitoring of climate change by satellites makes it difficult to identify gaps in the collection of climate-relevant data and prevents national policy makers from taking into account global climate monitoring needs when planning the development of future satellites. Multiple international organizations undertake efforts to identify the high-level/system-level and technical requirements of such a system, and each of these efforts reveals gaps in global climate monitoring capabilities. These efforts require further coordination to achieve global consensus on the highest-priority monitoring needs. With regard to high-level requirements, this will require organizations to align and coordinate their efforts, considering both the most important types of measurements and the most efficient physical architecture for collection. Efforts at identifying detailed technical requirements for climate monitoring are duplicative and need to be consolidated. Coordination at the system level and consolidation at the technical level should be followed by prioritizing climate monitoring needs, allowing policy makers to invest in satellite systems that will realize the greatest contribution to global climate monitoring.
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| 2 |
ID:
147519
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| Summary/Abstract |
There is a growing consensus among stakeholders around the world that the long-term objective of human space exploration is the long-duration presence of humans on the surface of Mars. However, the key question concerns the choice of near-term missions that will bridge current human spaceflight activities in low Earth orbit (LEO) and eventual Mars exploration. This paper contributes to this debate by identifying the scope of possible near-term missions, arguing that there are only four realistic proposals for initial human exploration beyond low Earth orbit: a cis-lunar habitat, asteroid redirect, Mars flyby, and a short lunar surface sortie. The paper then evaluates these missions across five criteria: 1) technical/economic feasibility, 2) contribution to the eventual goal of exploring Mars, 3) potential for international cooperation, 4) global readiness for the mission, and 5) political feasibility to establish a clear assessment of the pros and cons of each of these four missions. While recognizing that any one of these missions represents a feasible option for future human space exploration, we recommend that the international community pursue development of a cis-lunar habitat as its immediate goal. This mission maximizes development of technology necessary for Mars exploration, provides significant opportunities for meaningful international participation, and could be achieved on a reasonable schedule with current budgets. Both the asteroid redirect mission and lunar exploration plans have the potential to benefit from the development of a cis-lunar habitat and could be retained as intermediate or parallel missions, as resources allow.
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| 3 |
ID:
169292
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| Summary/Abstract |
Space situational awareness (SSA) refers to the ability to monitor and understand the state of the space environment, including the ability to track, understand, and predict the location of human-generated and natural objects in orbit around the Earth. This capability is a critical element in attributing and deterring attacks against space assets and in avoiding unintentional collisions. Historically, the United States Department of Defense has operated the most extensive SSA system in the world. Although, in recent years, it has shared data with commercial and foreign users on an ad hoc basis to help avoid collisions, access to the full database is highly restricted. Other nations, including Russia and Europe, have begun to develop or expand independent SSA systems. A number of commercial entities have also begun operating in this area, selling or planning to sell SSA services to satellite operators and governments. There are concerns in the United States about whether this proliferation of SSA technology and information will adversely affect national security, and questions about how the United States should respond to this situation. This article uses the example of remote sensing satellite technology and information, which experienced a similar transition from U.S. and Soviet dominance to participation by a wider range of nations and commercial entities, to identify the key strategic risks and opportunities posed by this trend. I discuss the extent to which these strategic risks and opportunities apply to the proliferation of SSA technology and information, finding that while the same strategic concerns are relevant in this case, typically the risks are lower. There are significant opportunities for the United States to benefit from this proliferation of technology. The article discusses the implications of these findings and offers recommendations that will allow the United States to further decrease the strategic risks associated with this trend, while increasing the benefits.
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