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transcript
Lee Billings: Hi. Lee Billings.
Clara Moskowitz: and Clara Moskowitz.
We are Senior Space Editors at Scientific American. Kick off today..
Claim: launch…
Moskowitz: That’s right, we’re launching… we have to stay true to our roots… the new Science Quickly series.
Claim: we call it Cosmos is fast.
Moskowitz: Each episode takes you on an air journey.
Claim: into space.
Moskowitz: To explore what we know…
Claim: And what we are learning now about the universe we live in.
Moskowitz: Today, in our first episode, we start with … Space Force.
Claim: That is correct ….
Moskowitz: We spoke with Lt. Gen. Nina Armano, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Space Force.
Claim: Welcome, Lieutenant General, thank you for coming.
Moskowitz: So let’s start with a very basic question, shall we? What is Space Force?
Almango: The Space Force is the same service as the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. We are the newest service in the United States. We were established on December 20, 2019.
The U.S. Space Force trains and equips Guardians so that they can conduct space operations for the benefit of our nation.
Claim: Now, to some people, does the Space Force sound, uhm, kind of crazy?
Moskowitz: I mean, pop culture jumped on your story shortly after then-President Trump announced it to you.
Almango: Do you mean Netflix?
Moskowitz: Oh yeah, that series starring Steve Carell.
[CLIP: Netflix’s Space Force ]
Almango: Actually it was funny. I thought it was funny.
So I thought the first few episodes were interesting. I hate to say it, but you know, it really only made fun of the Coast Guard rather than making fun of the Space Force.
And I just thought it was hilarious to show the rivalry between the Air Force and the Space Force. . So it’s a true partnership under the Air Force.
At the Pentagon, every service has a corridor. Space Force Corridor actually has a humor section. Because there was not only a Netflix series, but also a Ben and Jerry ice cream called Boots on the Moon. And I think there’s still one little carton hanging somewhere in the Pentagon.
Claim: It’s good to know Guardians of the Galaxy, Guardians have a sense of humor. But back to reality. How big a deal is the Space Force?
Almango: We have been in space for decades. I want to be clear: just because we have a new service doesn’t mean the United States will suddenly become active in space. We have been in action for decades.
In fact, when we were first established in 2019, and in January 2020, the funding line we were already using was carved out and given to the Space Force. It was probably about $18 billion at the time.
that’s a lot of money. But that’s 10% of the Air Force budget. And it was only about 2% of the total. [Department of Defense] budget.
Just this week, the president’s budget request sent to Congress calls for $30 billion for the US Space Force. Requests have nearly doubled, which I think shows the importance of what we’re trying to do.
We must not only continue to provide the best service from the realm of space, but also protect and defend the realm of space. And it’s a big undertaking that’s why the Space Force was founded.
All jokes aside, Russia and China threaten our capabilities. They are building capabilities that threaten our systems in space.
And so that in the event of future conflicts, crises and even wars, our armed forces in all other spheres, air, land, sea and undersea, may still be exquisitely informed. We need to be able to protect, defend and stay active. The data they are currently getting from the Space Domain.
Moskowitz: What does it really mean to go to war in space?
Almango: Well, a war in space would be devastating. Because that would probably break the domain itself. So the world as we know it will be very different.
Claim: Wow. And what would it mean for ordinary people on Earth if they lost some of those abilities in space?
Almango: So today, especially in modern American life, we benefit from timing signals from GPS constellations. This timing signal drives everything from the electricity we enjoy to the blue color. Dot on your phone.
So, it’s all about timing signals, not to mention the positioning and navigation that GPS provides to the world for free.
A war in space could disrupt these services on the low end. At the high end, it can be completely destroyed and destroyed for a very long time.The debris will remain in space forever. So I don’t want to spend a year on it. It will be decades.
I think we take it for granted. It’s true.
Moskowitz: you?
Almango: Oh my god Oh no, I don’t
For example, when GPS satellites had problems many years ago. The checklist step told me to call an engineer. The engineer you know must have been some kind of electronic or system snafu. The Guardian’s first thought today is that this is malicious and may be the beginning of an attack.
Moskowitz: Now let’s talk about what happens when there’s bad behavior in space. What can adversaries do?
Almango: Attackers may launch cyberattacks. There is a ground-based jamming capability that Russia and China have, a ground-based laser dazzler capability that they have. They have land-based missiles, anti-satellite weapons that China demonstrated in 2007 producing thousands of fragments. Then, in November 2021, Russia conducted another anti-satellite test.
In both cases, these countries are taking out their own defunct satellites, but irresponsibly producing thousands of debris.
Claim: Wait a minute, what is a laser dazzler?
Almango: ground laser. Also, some satellites are equipped with highly sensitive optics. And the laser… pulse the laser so that Dazzler doesn’t get damaged. No damage to optics. But the more powerful lasers they’re working on can damage sensitive optics as well as destroy solar arrays.
So these features are real. That is, it already exists.
Moskowitz: Nuclear weapons are the most terrifying of all kinds of warfare. What role does the Space Force play in defending against nuclear war?
Almango: nuclear triad. The US Space Force is vital to the nuclear triad.
Moskowitz: This is the combined land, sea and air nuclear arsenal of the United States.
Armano: We provide missile warnings and satellite communications to warn our country of nuclear attacks. This will enable communications for the President of the United States, and when he makes decisions about his nuclear response, that information will be transmitted via a satellite communications system in space operated by the U.S. Space Force.
So we are essential. This is why we call the Missile Warning Satellites and her SATCOM satellites “High Value Assets.”
Claim: Let’s say there was a nuclear attack. What will the Space Force do then?
Armano: If the U.S. were hit by a nuclear attack, we would be the first to know because our missile warning sensors are always on the lookout. In fact, they are staring at the entire planet. And they’re looking for infrared. Therefore, the plume of an intercontinental ballistic missile is quite large. and will be the first to be detected by the US Space Force and assets in orbit.
They are undoubtedly strategically directed to Russia’s ICBM field and China as well, as China is expanding its nuclear capabilities as well.
Moskowitz: What capabilities do Russia and China really have today?
Armano: Undoubtedly Cold War Russia had a very capable spacecraft. Over time, these features have waned a bit, but I would say they are still a serious threat.
China is growing fast and developing all sorts of space capabilities that we have. So they are indeed working on a missile warning constellation.
No need to worry about nuclear exchange. I mean… the nations that have nuclear weapons know it’s existential.
Now Russia is discussing the use of tactical nuclear weapons. They’ve written about it and talked publicly about using them during regular combat.
There are nuclear taboos that responsible nuclear powers abide by. And that is the ultimate deterrent, the taboo that nuclear weapons should never be used, even in tactical ways. And that taboo still exists, and that red line is still very bright.
Claim: Well then, Lieutenant General, You are referring to deterrence. How do you do a good calculation of what deters a nuclear attack?
Armano: Deterrence is really in the enemy’s mind. The idea is that enemies are powerful enough to say “not today”. Every time they wake up or should I attack the US? Not today. The United States is…because our strength is deterrence.
Moskowitz: Thank you, Lieutenant General Armaño, it was a pleasure speaking with you.
Armano: thank you. I’m glad I came here.
Claim: and thanks you To listen to Cosmos, quickly.we have a lot more Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the universe but was afraid to ask, is coming soon.
Moskowitz: Science Quickly is produced by Jeff DelViscio, Tulika Bose, and Kelso Harper.
Claim: This episode received special production assistance from Duy Linh Tu and Nina Berman.
Moskowitz: Like and subscribe wherever you can get a podcast. For more science news, visit ScientificAmerican.com.
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