Background This report summarizes the results of an evaluation of a variety of advanced low thrust propulsion options for the cargo-delivery portion of a split-mission piloted Mars exploration scenario. The propulsion options considered were solar sails. 100-MWe class nuclear electric propulsion (NEP), 100-WEe class solar electric propulsion (SEP), magnetic sails (magsails), mass drivers, rail guns, solar thermal rockets. beamed-energy (laser and microwave) propulsion systems, and tethers. The requirement was to transport 400 metric tons (MT) of cargo from a 500-km altitude low Earth orbit (LEO) to a 6000-km altitude Mars orbit (e.g., Phobos’ orbit) for the 2014 opportunity. The primary…
Author: John Greenewald
Background According to 48 CFR 42.203 – Contract administration services directory: The Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) maintains the Federal Directory of Contract Administration Services Components. The directory lists the names and telephone numbers of those DCMA and other agency offices that offer contract administration services within designated geographic areas and at specified contractor plants. Federal agencies may access it on the Internet at https://pubapp.dcma.mil/CASD/main.jsp. For additional information contact – Defense Contract Management Agency, 3901 A Avenue, Building 10500, Ft. Lee, VA 23801-1809. Document Archive Click on the image below to enlarge. FOIA Response Letter Mr. Greenwald, This email is…
Background In February of 2019, the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) released “Challenges to Security in Space,” a report that examines the space and counterspace programs that could challenge U.S. or partner interests in the space domain. The advantage that the United States holds in space – and our perceived dependence on it – will continue to drive actors to improve their abilities to operate in and through space. The report notes that “space-based capabilities provide integral support to military, commercial and civilian applications” and that “longstanding technological and cost barriers to space are falling, enabling more countries and commercial firms…
Background In support of The Commissions to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse Attack, this paper examines the potential damage to satellites from high altitude nuclear detonations not specifically targeting space assets. We provide and overview of representative classes of satellites, their orbits, and their economic and military importance to the U.S. lessons learned from atmospheric nuclear test of the late 1950’s and early 1960’s are presented. In particular, the STARFISH PRIME test of 1962 injected long-lived trapped energetic electrons into Earth’s magnetic fields, causing the early demise of several satellites. Document Archive Collateral Damage to…
Background According to the document, the purpose of this task was was to: “Advise the DCI on issues attendant to the future of the National Reconnaissance Office, including those raised by The Senate “Intelligence Reorganization Act of 1992″ (S. 2198) and House National Security Act of 1992″ (HR 4165).” Although previously released, I requested a Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) on it in April of 2018. In October of the same year, I received the below document. I highlighted changes so you can see the newly released information. Document Archive DCI Task Force on the National Reconnaissance Office, Final Report (The…