ABSTRACT
The remarkable changes taking place in the world will inevitably affect the American space program. This chapter explores how the developments will influence the unmanned component of our space program. The Cold War is receding and with it the need for some space systems. The Warsaw Pact has effectively ceased to exist and the requirement to monitor its military activities has diminished. Foreign space activities are gaining capability and purpose. If they choose to do so, a united Europe could provide substantial resources to their military, scientific and commercial space program. The military communication satellites that provide UHF service to mobile forces will become more important, because they can support operations anywhere without overseas bases. Communication satellites are the first and most important commercial application of space technology. Intelsat is an international telecommunications cooperative established by treaty among 119 nations. Radio communication has always provided a unique resource for mobile users.
