Paper Session I-A - DOD Research and Development

Current and proposed DoD programs require a broader on-orbit space test support capability and the availability of space based assets to support non-space, ground or sea based RDT&E and OT&E programs. These programs include Strategic Defense Initiative Organization, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Army, Navy, and Air Force systems existing, planned, or being developed. The proliferation of these systems brings about new problems and concerns for safety. They increase the number of on-orbit objects and increase the complexity of coordinating and integrating missions with a resulting increase in potential hazards to operational and R&D space systems. Future testing requirements will require better control of debris and spent vehicles reentering the atmosphere to avoid additional risk to people and property on the earth\u27s surface. Laser and beam systems in space will introduce new challenges for developing well-established and documented procedures for minimizing any safety risks. With the concern for safety, the high cost of world-wide testing of space systems makes it imperative that more efficient use be made of existing and new test resources. A central coordinating agency is required to schedule and integrate use of increasingly complex multi-range support to avoid duplication of test support resources among the existing DoD ranges and satellite control systems