The accord reflects a new US space security policy that calls for forging an alliance of foreign partners to save costs and counter possible threats to satellites that underpin the American military's high-tech weaponry.
With a growing number of countries operating in space, there was a mounting risk of accidental collisions as well as international disputes, said US Defense Secretary Robert Gates at a joint press conference with his French counterpart, Alain Juppe.
'This arrangement will foster safety and reduce the chances of mishaps, misperceptions and mistrust,' Gates said before signing the accord."
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Cyber Defense
The US military is preparing for 21st Century electronic warfare and cyber terrorism. A joint US Cyber Command and four service cyber commands have been set up.
Their mission is to defend American military networks and civilian American infrastructure from cyber terrorism and from foreign government hackers.
The officers leading these cyber commands explain how they are organized, how they operate, and how they will protect the United States from foreign military hackers, intelligence agencies, and cyber terrorists.
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