visible/infrared/rador sensors for reconnaissance, surveillance, and search/track/- pointing; radiation/particle weapons; projectiles and missiles; communications/com- mand/control; data-handling electronics; and electronic warfare/countermeasures equipment. A recent study by McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Company— investigated the evolutionary development of a space station to support people and equipment engaged in peaceful pursuits. Many of the same problems they encountered would need to be solved in developing and equipping the SPS military outpost. The shuttle transportation system is used to support the McDonnell Douglas space station concept. Major technologies (including surveillance, detection, track, pointing, and laser weapons and missiles) for beginning any needed self-defense system for the SPS and for deploying other weapons at the SPS space site are progressing steadily. However, before an appropriately equipped operational SPS self-defense system can be defined, an understanding of the threat, the output of operational analyses involving this threat, and the feel of experience may need to be combined for an extended operational shakedown of potential system elements. This suggests the possible usefulness of early experience with a system that may supply only modest amounts of power compared to the 5 GW of the NASA reference system. 2.2 IMPACTS ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 2.2.1 SPS Security/Weapons The potential value of the SPS to our industrial capability and national economic system arises from the fact that by 2030 the SPS may be filling a significant part of the U.S. electrical power needs. Any attack on this high-valued asset by a major force would be considered an attack that flies in the face of the U.S. strategic deterrent force. Such an attack could mean that strategic 3/ deterrence had failed- and would lead the United States into decisions and actions involving the very weapons and forces that should have prevented attack but did not. These risks to the SPS and to strategic deterrence might be ameliorated by internationalizing the system and/or by reaching agreements declaring the SPS off-limits for military action. SPS strengthening (which may include a selfdefense system) could be made a part of the SPS to discourage and defend against small, unsophisticated attacks.—In the beginning, it will be difficult to determine —/ Information from the DARPA high-energh-laser space defense program would be helpful in projecting laser weapons capabilities and in defining approaches.
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