The Canadian Department of National Defence has launched an initiative to develop new capabilities to protect satellites. The effort has been dubbed “Shields Up,” a reference to the popular Star Trek series of television shows and movies.
Satellites are vulnerable to enemy attacks of various types, including cyber-attacks, jamming, directed energy, and missiles. The threats faced by satellites go beyond potential adversarie and include hazards like solar flares or collisions with space debris.
The DND has issued a solicitation for proposals, and will award CAD200,000 ($151,000) contracts for some ideas to be fleshed out over a six-month period. Solutions with the most potential could receive a further CAD1 million ($754,000) for continued development.
Shaun's deep-rooted interest in military equipment continues in his role as a senior defense analyst with a focus on the United States. He played an integral role in the development of Forecast International's U.S. Defense Budget Forecast, an interactive online product that tracks Pentagon acquisition programs throughout the congressional budget process. As editor of International Military Markets – North America, Shaun has cultivated a deep understanding of the vast defense markets in the United States and Canada. He is a regular contributor to Forecast International's Defense & Security Monitor blog and has co-authored white papers on global defense spending and various military programs.
