Air and Space Operations Centre takes up service

In official reports, the Ministry of Defense as well as the Bundeswehr are holding back on the exact tasks of the new unit. "[...] our prosperity and security [are] highly dependent on space. For a long time now, our civilian and military satellites have been a resource without which nothing works," the federal minister said, according to the Spiegel. "As always, when a resource becomes vital, its security becomes an issue."

The Bundeswehr has six of its own satellites in orbit. With these, they want to observe the space debris. In the future, the Bundeswehr wants to issue collision and proximity warnings. Steerable satellites can avoid the flying debris. The necessary data can be supplied by the German high-performance radar "Gestra".

Approach warnings are also used for counterintelligence. In addition, the own communication systems are to be protected and defended in case of emergency. There are no plans to arm satellites, but rather to rely on "reconnaissance, early warning and communication" with important strategic partners such as the USA, France and Great Britain.

Of course, it is also about communication within the Bundeswehr. Satellite communications can be used to transmit information in real time between the home country and the country of deployment. The Bundeswehr's own satellites are also intended to help it obtain a picture of the situation at all times and reduce its dependence on data from the United States.

On the occasion of the opening of the Air and Space Operation Center (ASOC) in Uedem, which already took place in September 2020, the German Armed Forces were more specific about their objectives. The associated press release states that weapons systems will increasingly rely on satellite communications in the future and that these will consequently have to be more closely guarded. It is observed that other states are already engaged in activities designed to disrupt such systems. China, for example, has already conducted a test firing of a satellite. And Russia and India also already have weapons for destroying satellites. In the future, he said, the Bundeswehr wants to work on preventing attacks, for example, "by using lasers to blind or destroy optics, as well as against solar panels, but also anti-satellite missiles and satellites stationed in orbit."

In addition, the unit monitors German airspace and, if necessary, can call for the launch of so-called alert rotas to avert danger, i.e. the launch of two Eurofighters.

via: Bundesministerium der Verteidigung, Bundeswehr, Deutschlandfunk