BLUF
To effectively compete in Space AVM, Catherine Roberts, Head of Defence Space Command, argues that Australia needs the capability to disrupt enemy satellite communications and launch our own satellites.Summary
This article by Andrew Tillett, writing for the Australian Financial Review, makes the following points:
- Australia cannot currently protect and defend satellites and other space assets from potential enemy attacks without US aid.
- Both China and Russia are spending heavily on hypersonic missiles, which can be launched from space and travel at five times the speed of sound.
- While the initial focus is on space situational awareness, Air Vice-Marshal Roberts said she wanted to acquire capability quickly that could deliver both ‘kinetic and non-kinetic effects’.
- Defence Minister Peter Dutton has pledged to spend more on Australia’s space capability, including the potential establishment of a US-style space force.
References
Recent Runway Posts related to this topic:
- Address to the 2022 Royal Australian Air Force Air and Space Power Conference, Canberra | The Runway
- Australia stands up defence space command, releases strategy | The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
- MAR 2022 Russian Missiles and Space Debris Could Threaten Satellites—Wired
- MAR 2022 Hackers Attacked Satellite Terminals Through Management Network, Viasat Officials Say—Air Force Magazine
Source Information:
- Article Source: Australian Financial Review (AFR)
- Media Check: AFR - Media Bias Fact Check (mediabiasfactcheck.com)
- RAAF RUNWAY: RATIONALE, GUIDELINES, LEARNING OUTCOMES, ETC |
