Satellite Engagement

Brig. Gen. Jeffrey C. Horne discussed the decision and execution process of the recent engagement with satellite USA-193. The mission of what to do with the satellite in a decaying orbit was always about the preservation of human life and maintaining public trust in the ability of the military to provide that safety. It was an incredibly complex mission and involved a 16-agency task force, as well as input from contractors whose equipment and experience were relevant to the situation. Policy considerations throughout the process included the need to minimize the risk of debris on Earth and in space, act as responsible stewards of space, operate consistently with legal obligations and U.S. policy, and to maintain openness and transparency with the U.S. public, allies, friends, and the international community. Technically, the engagement required the temporary modification of a Standard Missile-3, after which the backup missiles were returned to their original state. The general commended those who worked on this mission and expressed his confidence in the ability of U.S. departments and agencies to achieve the goals of any mission.