A memo from a contracting officer of the U.S Air Force Space Command, Austin Frindt, circulated to Five Rivers Services of Colorado Springs, operator of the current Space Fence that consists of a line of VHF radars stretching across the southern United States on Aug. 1. The memo stated that the U.S. Air Force was not implementing its alternative for a fifth year contract to offer logistical and management support for the nine field stations.
A subsequent memo released on Aug. 9 solicited an analysis from the five Rivers of what it would cost to close the Space Fence sites. The memo also said that the entire system will be shut down on Sept. 1.
The U.S. Air Force’s motion to shutdown an important component of its Space Surveillance Network will abate its ability to precisely detect and distinguish objects in the Earth’s orbit, said an expert in an interview with Space.com.
As ordered by the commander of Air Force Space Command, General William Shelton, the space fence shutdown is believed to minimize the capacity of the system, in general. It could also increase the pressure on the Air Force to give a contract on a next-generation system, which was halted in the middle of the Pentagon-wide review of its purchasing plans.
Andy Roake, a spokesperson for Air Force Space Command, said in an e-mail to Space.com, that the sequestration or automatic budget slice is the main reason. He said, “In this tough, sequestered budget environment, we're considering many options, but for FY14, no final decisions have been made."
But, the memos released imply otherwise. It asked photos of the closed sites, weekly updates, and plywood on windows.
As of press time, Roake hasn’t responded to follow-up inquiries, yet.
However, as sequestration issues hang around, shutting down the Space Fence may be the best among the rotten set of choices.
