The Defense Department's fiscal 2008 budget request includes just more than $1 billion in programs that could support the development of anti-satellite and space-based weapons capabilities, according to a new analysis from the Center for Defense Information (CDI).

"Congress must become more aware of these efforts, and ensure that such programs do not go forward without in-depth scrutiny of their purposes and possible long-term impacts on U.S. space security," CDI Director and report co-author Theresa Hitchens said in a statement.

'Major concerns'

CDI's "major concerns" in the budget include $10 million requested by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to study the feasibility of a Space Based Interceptor Test Bed. This is down from MDA's FY '07 guidance, which called for a $45 million request in FY '08. Nonetheless, if approved this would be the first dedicated space-based weapons program since 1993, according to CDI.

CDI also highlighted the Near Field Infrared Experiment (NFIRE) as possibly feeding into a U.S. hit-to-kill capability in space. The NFIRE maneuvering satellite no longer carries a kill vehicle, but is slated to conduct "target fly-bys at ranges less than 10 kilometers" in FY '08, CDI said.

Other concerns include the Experimental Spacecraft System (XSS) and Autonomous Nanosatellite Guardian for Evaluating Local Space (ANGELS) programs, either of which could "evolve" into an offensive capability, according to CDI. XSS is designed to explore proximity operations in orbit, while ANGELS is focused on localized space situational awareness for geosynchronous satellites to determine if and when they are being attacked.

'Necessary precursors'

The FY '08 budget also includes a number of directed energy research programs "that are necessary precursors to space-based directed energy weapons," CDI said. Experiments at the U.S. Air Force's Starfire Optical Range at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., are funded under an "Advanced Weapons Technology" budget line that includes the development of "weapons-class" solid-state lasers.

"Starfire experiments include 'compensated beam propagation' to satellites, which raises concerns that applications may go beyond stated space surveillance activities," CDI said. "Indeed, the FY '07 request cited ASAT [anti-satellite] operations among the project's goals."

The Air Force is requesting $18 million for the Counter Satellite Communications System (CSCS), $28.1 million for the Rapid Identification Detection and Reporting System (RAIDRS), and $7.3 million for Offensive Counterspace Command and Control in FY '08, according to CDI.

The Air Force says that the offensive counterspace capabilities being studied are "temporary, localized and reversible," CDI said.

The report also highlights $323 million requested by MDA for classified programs. "The distribution of money within these classified budgets to space-related weaponry research is unknown," CDI said.