U.S. building satellite network to monitor rogue missile programs
SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Thursday, March 29, 2001
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon is building a network of advanced spy
satellites meant to bolster the monitoring of Iranian and North Korean
missile programs said to threaten the United States.
Officials said the project could take 20 years and $25 billion. In all,
up to 24 reconnaissance satellites could be built and sent into orbit.
The satellite network, officials said, is meant to improve U.S.
monitoring of missile programs in such countries as Iran, Iraq and North
Korea, Middle East Newsline reported. All three countries are pursuing both long-range missile projects as
well as nuclear weapons. By the end of the decade, Iran and North Korea
could have the capability to launch nuclear warheads that would strike the
United States.
So far, the United States has six spy satellites in space and officials
said that until recently the Pentagon did not deem as a high priority the
monitoring of Iranian and Iraqi missile programs. With additional
satellites, Iran, Iraq and North Korea could be under constant surveillance.
Officials also said that Iraq and North Korea have developed expertise
in concealing troops and equipment from satellite reconnaissance. They said
both countries have managed to order troop and equipment movement between
satellite orbits.
Currently, satellites are said to have the capability of maintaining
surveillance over an area for about 10 minutes at a time.
Key U.S. contractors are being recruited for the classified program,
called Future Imagery Architecture. These include Boeing, Raytheon, Marconi
and Harris. Boeing, which beat rival Lockheed Martin, is the prime
contractor of the program by the National Reconnaissance Office, officials
said.
Boeing was awarded a contract last year "to develop, provide launch
integration and operate the nation's next generation of imagery
reconnaissance satellites," an NRO statement said. No other details were
disclosed.
Officials said the new satellites will be cheaper and smaller than those
currently in space. They said the first satellite in the spy network would
be launched in 2005.
Thursday, March 29, 2001
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