Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Space Robert V. Davis
participated today in the White House announcement of the new
National Space Policy signed by the President. This new
classified policy supersedes the 1989 policy. The directive
provides guidance for the conduct of United States space
activities, and updates and reaffirms U.S. goals and activities
in space.
Prominent aspects of the new policy dealing with the
Department of Defense include:
Renewed direction that the United States will maintain its
leadership role by supporting a strong, stable and balanced
national space program that serves our goals in national security and other areas.
Renewed direction that the goals of the U.S. space program
include:
- Strengthening and maintaining the national security of the United States;
and
- Promoting international cooperation to further U.S. national security and
foreign policies.
Renewed direction that the U.S. Government will maintain and coordinate
separate national security and civil space systems where differing needs dictate.
Renewed direction that the United States will conduct those
space activities necessary for national security. These
activities will be overseen by the Secretary of Defense and the
Director of Central Intelligence consistent with their respective
responsibilities as set forth in the National Security Act of
1947, as amended, other applicable law, and Executive Order
12333.
Direction that key priorities for national security space
activities are to improve our ability to support military
operations worldwide, monitor and respond to strategic military
threats, and monitor arms control and non-proliferation
agreements and activities.
Direction that the Secretary of Defense and the Director of
Central Intelligence shall ensure that defense and intelligence
space activities are closely coordinated; that space
architectures are integrated to the maximum extent feasible; and
will continue to modernize and improve their respective
activities to collect against, and respond to, changing threats,
environments and adversaries.
Renewed direction that national security space activities
shall contribute to U.S. national security by:
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- Providing support for the United States' inherent right of self-defense
and our defense commitments to allies and friends;
- Deterring, warning and, if necessary, defending against enemy attack;
- Assuring that hostile forces cannot prevent our own use of space;
- Countering, if necessary, space systems and services used for hostile purposes;
- Enhancing operations of U.S. and allied forces;
- Ensuring our ability to conduct military and intelligence space-related activities;
- Satisfying military and intelligence requirements during peace and crisis, as well
as through all levels of conflict; and
- Supporting the activities of national policy makers, the intelligence community,
the National Command Authorities, combatant commanders and the military services,
other federal officials, and continuity of government operations.
Direction that critical capabilities necessary for executing space missions
must be assured.
Renewed direction that DoD shall maintain the capability to
execute the mission areas of space support, force enhancement,
space control, and force application.
Renewed direction that DoD, as launch agent for both the
defense and intelligence sectors, will maintain the capability to
evolve and support those space transportation systems,
infrastructure, and support activities necessary to meet national
security requirements.
Direction that DoD will be the lead agency for improvement
and evolution of the current expendable launch vehicle fleet,
including appropriate technology development.
Direction that DoD will pursue integrated satellite control,
continue to enhance the robustness of its satellite control
capability, and coordinate with other departments and agencies,
as appropriate, to foster the integration and interoperability of
satellite control for all governmental space activities.
Renewed direction that, consistent with treaty obligations,
the United States will develop, operate, and maintain space
control capabilities to ensure freedom of action in space and, if
directed, deny such freedom of action to adversaries.
Direction that the United States will pursue a ballistic
missile defense program to provide for: enhanced theater missile
defense capability later this decade; a national missile defense
deployment readiness program as a hedge against the emergence of
a long-range ballistic missile threat to the United States; and
an advanced technology program to provide options for
improvements to planned and deployed defenses.
In general, this first post-Cold War statement of National
Space Policy provides a coherent vision and direction for the
conduct of space activities in response to the major changes
which have occurred since 1989. These changes include: the
transformation of the international security environment; recent
operational employments of space forces; reductions in the
resources allocated for national security; advances in military
technology which are altering the conduct of warfare; the
increased interaction among the national security, civil and
commercial space sectors; and the global proliferation of space
systems, technology and information.
