Defense would get microsatellite funds under House bill

The Pentagon division charged with transforming the military to address potential threats would receive additional funds to launch microsatellites, in pending legislation before Congress.

The microsatellites would carry technology such as the Pentagon's top-secret Internet for commanders in the field so they can access satellite images in less than a day. It currently takes weeks or months for data from the larger satellites to reach the on-the-ground commanders' level. The Pentagon primarily utilizes its fleet of larger satellites for high-end national security needs.

"[T]he committee believes research and development should begin on the use of satellites that would fit this new family of launch vehicles and address near-term warfighter requirements," the House Armed Services Committee report on the fiscal 2005 defense authorization bill says. The House passed the bill on May 20 by a 391-34 vote.

House lawmakers added $25 million in additional funding for the program over the $20 million requested by the Bush administration for research and development activities at the Pentagon's Office of Force Transformation. The Senate has asked for an extra $25 million, but the chamber has delayed action on the legislation until after the Memorial Day recess.

An Office of Force Transformation spokesman said the Pentagon did not request the additional funding.

The Senate committee's report on the Defense authorization bill noted that thus far, the finances needed for the satellite launches have been met, but no funding had been programmed for a third microsatellite or other future space missions.

"The committee believes that the continued development of operationally responsive satellite payloads must proceed vigorously in parallel with operationally responsive launch capabilities," read the report.

The Senate panel urged the Pentagon to "promptly" develop standards and protocols for launching the small satellites to help speed up the process.

Retired Vice Adm. Arthur Cebrowski, force transformation director, told lawmakers earlier this year that the technology is readily available for the military to launch more small satellites.

Cebrowski's office plans to launch its first microsatellite late this summer. The military has already started working on its second launch spearheaded by the Air Force Research Laboratory.

The House and Senate bills placed the responsibility for managing the satellite program with the force transformation office. Whether lawmakers intend for Cebrowski to retain control over launching the microsatellites or simply administer the funds to military offices wishing to launch their own devices, remains to be seen.

In the last couple of years, an estimated 38 microsatellites have been launched into space by other nations, with no participation by the United States. Cebrowski has argued that the cost, size and weight of larger satellites inhibit more U.S. launches.

The technology, or payload expected to be carried by the microsatellite, weighs less than 120 kilograms but the costs are high. An estimated $15 million would place the satellite into orbit with the launch itself costing about $5 million. Larger satellites cost $20 to $30 million to launch.