3 .0 THREAT ANALYSIS Numerous satellites in Earth orbit presently perform military missions of surveillance, reconnaissance, communications, navigation, and weather observation. Unmodified elements of the Satellite Power System such as the transport vehicles, the LEO base, or the power satellite itself could offer advantages for some military support functions. In view of the size and scope of SPS we consider what possible military adaptors, if such a decision were made, could be attached to a SPS to enhance its ability to perform military missions. Potential military uses of SPS would be to support military operations in space. The LEO base, for instance, could be used to provide shelter, supplies, and services such as propellant stockpiles and maintenance and repair facilities. Similarly, OTVs could be used to provide transport for military personnel and equipment. If decisions were made to add to, or modify, the Reference Design SPS, then space-based elements of the SPS could become platforms for various weapon systems including antisatellite missiles (ASAT), high energy lasers (HEL), and particle beam weapons (PBW). With deliberate hardware modifications, the SPS microwave power beam could be used for electronic warfare (EW). In this section, we assess the threat potential of the Reference Design Satellite Power System and the threat potential of an SPS with deliberately enhanced military capabilities. 3.1 Methodology A matrix formulation was used to provide a convenient framework for presenting the results of our analysis.* Each row of the matrix represents a subsystem element of the SPS, while two main columns identify, respectively, the potential threats posed by each subsystem element and the corresponding safeguards for neutralizing or mitigating each potential threat. Threats were subdivided into technological threats and institutional threats. By technological threats, we mean capabilities to perform the functions of force delivery, C^3I, and military support. By institutional threats, we mean use of subelements of the SPS system as tools to coerce unfriendly nations into particular *The completed matrix is given later as Table 3-9.
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