The U.S. Air Force’s origins in the early 20th century as an arm of the U.S. Army Signal Corps had little to do with space operations—mankind wasn’t even near the capability to reach into space, let alone exploit it. But now, with key elements of the global network infrastructure residing in orbit, the Air Force increasingly finds itself supporting communications assets in space. That support is including protection as potential adversaries seek new ways to disrupt or destroy space assets.

The importance of space as a critical infrastructure element extends to both the commercial and military sectors. Today’s global economy is built around networks, which rely on communications. Many of these communications and networking assets are satellite-based, and their loss would create major problems in commerce at all levels. Remote sensing platforms such as weather satellites are essential to protecting people on land and at sea. And, global positioning system guidance is nearly ubiquitous as it becomes embedded in systems across all walks of life.

The military is especially dependent on satellite assets, a fact that hasn’t gone unnoticed by forces seeking to negate Western military capabilities. The Soviet Union recognized this early in the space race and began testing antisatellite (ASAT) orbital interceptors nearly 40 years ago. Less than one year ago, China tested an explosive ASAT to announce its capability to conduct offensive military operations in space.

Today the West depends more than ever on space assets to conduct military operations. Remote sensing platforms were the first orbital systems to provide irreplaceable military capabilities. These focused on surveillance and reconnaissance, and they continue to play a key role in early warning. Now, the most prevalent space-based systems in terms of numbers and influence are communications satellites. Our network-centric force depends heavily on the connectivity provided by satellites, both military and commercial—currently, most military satellite communications traffic passes through commercial orbiters.

With network centricity providing the United States and its allies with unparalleled military strength, current and potential adversaries are seeking ways to reduce or negate that advantage. Interrupting space operations may be their best option. Space-based assets are in plain view for all to detect and track. All an adversary needs is the technology to prevent these assets from accomplishing their mission.

This technology need not be orbital access, although that capability is becoming more available each year. Signals from some types of satellites can be interdicted through various local or widespread jamming efforts. Vital satellite groundstations can become the target of physical onslaughts perpetrated by groups no more sophisticated than garden-variety terrorists.

Space has been militarized for decades in terms of support capabilities to the armed forces. Only slightly less time has passed since the introduction of offensive military capabilities in space. No existing or future treaty will prevent an antagonist from employing active measures against a space asset if that type of direct action is viewed as essential to military success against the United States or its allies.

The Air Force has been moving into space for quite some time. It has been responsible for launching most U.S. military payloads, and it operates many of those. It has been developing manned vehicles that would bridge the gap between aircraft and spacecraft. The first operational U.S. ASAT, which successfully intercepted a target satellite in orbit more than 20 years ago, was launched in the atmosphere by an Air Force F-15 fighter aircraft.

Now the Air Force’s stewardship of space encompasses defense of space-based assets, both military and commercial. Protecting those assets is every bit as important as protecting ground- and sea-based military assets. Without the capabilities provided by orbital platforms, the men and women engaged in the Global War on Terrorism would be even more imperiled than they are now. Defense of the homeland and of the military forces tasked with ensuring its security begins high above the Earth.

—The Editor