US Lawmakers Want DOD to Use More Smallsats, Reusable Rockets
Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson testifies before the U.S. House of Representatives Armed Services Committee about the Air Forces fiscal 2019 budget March 20, 2018, in Washington, D.C. (U.S. Air Force photo by Wayne Clark)
Concerned that large, high-value satellites are vulnerable to growing threats from potential enemies, the U.S. House Armed Services Committee (HASC) wants the Department of Defense (DOD) to consider making greater use of smaller spacecraft. The committee’s newly unveiled fiscal year 2019 defense authorization bill would require DOD to study the benefits and risks of using small- and medium-size buses for certain new satellites, including those providing protected communications and missile warning.
A HASC staffer told reporters April 25 that while the Air Force is looking at ways to make its constellations more survivable, such as by spreading out payloads on more satellites, it might not see the full benefits of those efforts if the satellite buses remain “the same big, juicy targets,” Via Satellite’s sister publication Defense Daily reported.
The two Falcon Heavy boosters landing side by side after the first test flight of the new launch vehicle. Photo: SpaceX
Another space provision in the bill would require DOD to study the feasibility of using reusable launch vehicles to save money. “There is bipartisan agreement on a viable way ahead for launch and a pathway to reusability that is sustainable and won’t absolutely break all the programs,” the HASC aide said.
To improve space management, the bill would create a U.S. Space Command within U.S. Strategic Command to promote joint space warfighting; set up a numbered Air Force for space warfighting; reorganize the existing 14th Air Force to focus on space support; and direct DOD to develop a plan for a new acquisition system for space.
DOD is currently conducting a study of options for improving how it is organized for space. It intends to send Congress a report on its conclusions by Aug. 1.
The HASC’s six subcommittees approved the fiscal year 2019 defense authorization bill April 26 with few changes. The full committee is slated to consider the legislation May 9.