US Exmouth space defence system shelved

Plans for a state-of-the-art US military space defence system in Exmouth have been shelved, with no funds forthcoming to expand the surveillance base’s capability.

Lockheed Martin built the first $1.5 billion Space Fence for US Space Force at the Marshall Islands’ Kwajalein atoll in 2020 to protect allied assets in orbit from collision with debris and other satellites.

Exmouth was first mooted as a “likely” location for a second Space Fence in 2012 and contractor Lockheed Martin in 2018 conducted a survey at Harold E Holt Naval Communication Station to inform preparation of the facility.

The facility was included in the Shire of Exmouth’s 2021 investment prospectus but since then little has been said about the project.

A Space Force spokeswoman confirmed to Business News the Exmouth site was not currently required.

“During acquisition of the Space Fence, Exmouth, AUS, was considered as a potential location,” she said.

“However, the current site on Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands was decided upon. 

“At this time there are no plans to field additional Space Fence systems, but the US Space Force continues to look for ways to partner with our allies across the globe to improve our mutual defense against adversaries.”

Space Fence is a network of ground radars which can detect and track orbiting objects smaller than 10 centimetres which could pose a risk to satellites and other military assets in space.

The system has also been touted for its “warfighting” capabilities in helping allies prepare against potential threats, according to US Space Force.

By August 2021 Space Fence was tracking 35,000 objects, raising concerns an expansion would be needed.

In a 2021 interview with Breaking Defense, Space Operations Command head Lieutenant General Stephen Whiting said a second site would be “outstanding”.

“But we still have more requirements than dollars, and so we’re having to make some difficult calls there,” he said.

“I don’t yet know if we’ll get Space Fence two here in the next couple years.”

Ex-US Department of Defense operational test and evaluation director Robert Behler said in 2020 Space Fence would not have the power to maintain awareness of space objects without a second site.

Asked about the status of the project at Perth’s Space and Earth conference last week, Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand regional director David Ball said he could not talk to the program.

In 2017 US Space Force moved a space surveillance telescope to Exmouth capable of spotting deep space objects 35,500 kilometres away.

Space Fence’s primary capability is in low earth orbit, about 2000 kilometres up, where the likes of SpaceX’s satellites operate.