Notes on Space, Satellites, and Survivability

Local PDF: ADA344782.pdf

AD Number: ADA344782
Subject Categories: UNMANNED SPACECRAFT
Corporate Author: LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LAB NM
Title: Notes on Space, Satellites, and Survivability
Personal Authors: Canavan, G. H.
Report Date: MAR 1991
Pages: 17 PAGES
Report Number: LA-11847-MS
Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
Monitor Acronym: XF
Monitor Series: XD
Descriptors: *SPACE TECHNOLOGY, *SURVIVABILITY, *MILITARY SATELLITES, DETECTORS, DEFENSE SYSTEMS, COST EFFECTIVENESS, BOOST PHASE, MASS, LASERS, KINETIC ENERGY, DECOYS, INTERCEPTORS, COUNTERMEASURES, MINES(ORDNANCE).
Identifiers: BMDO COLLECTION, U3030, SPACE SATELLITE
Abstract: The satellites most at risk in the near term are sensors and the brilliant pebbles for boost-phase defense. The availability of countermeasures for kinetic energy anti- satellites (ASATs) tends to downgrade them. Space-based interceptors and lasers are even less effective. Space mines appear to be the dominant space-based threat. Their main advantages are simplicity and low mass. If they can be forced to use decoys or cannot discriminate, that advantage is lost. For fundamental reasons discrimination should become more robust in time and combined defenses should become more effective.
Limitation Code: APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
Source Code: 211350
Citation Creation Date: 03 JUN 1998