A proposal to reform national security space activities, including procuring new hardware, draws some support from younger military persons and outsiders, but encounters "concern" and resistance from older, higher-ranking personnel.

That was the assessment of retired Army Lt. Gen. Edward Anderson, a member of the National Security Independent Assessment Panel (the Allard Commission) during a presentation to the Washington Space Business Roundtable at the University Club in Washington, D.C.

Anderson, now a principal with Booz Allen Hamilton contractors, said resistance may be overcome with the arrival of a new White House occupant, pointing to the presidential election next month as an opportunity for change.

National security space procurement and operations should be consolidated, with a single clear leader, Anderson said, citing the recommendation of the panel that was released in August.

That might mean that if the United States wishes to erect a shield protecting its military and key government, financial and civilian satellites from attack by nations such as China that possess anti-satellite weaponry, the new agency would handle the procurement.

Later, after the protective shield systems are developed and produced, they might be handed off to existing agencies, such as the armed services, he said in responding to later questions from Space & Missile Defense Report.