UCS: U.S. Response to Space Congestion “Inadequate,” Satellites at Risk

[Satellite TODAY 11-16-10] The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) criticized U.S. President Barack Obama for not focusing enough effort on the problem of space congestion. In a Nov. 15 report, the UCS outlined 10 near-term steps the Obama administration should take to safeguard U.S. satellites and protect space.
    “As space gets more crowded, risks to satellites are growing,” UCS Global Security Program Senior Scientist Laura Grego said in the report. “Insecurity about space activities and the motives behind them are creating friction among spacefaring countries. Unfortunately, the response from the international community, including the United States, has been inadequate. If the Obama administration adopted our recommendations, it could help defuse these tensions and ensure a more secure future in space.”
    The report comes shortly before the Obama administration is expected to release its National Security Space Strategy, which will define U.S. strategic goals for national security aspects of space.