Article investigates the feasibility of using the existing capability of the Defense Support Program (DSP) infrared surveillance satellites to detect natural disasters and other related environmental phenomena.

For many years, there was little concern about releasing material in orbit or simply leaving a satellite to drift in space at the end of its mission. Today there is heightened awareness that space debris poses a hazard to operating satellites because of high relative velocities at impact. For example, objects in low Earth orbit can collide at speeds exceeding 10 kilometers per second. At these speeds, even a small particle can cause serious damage.

Rocket engine exhaust contains chemical compounds that react with ozone in the stratosphere. A new measurement program suggests that current space transportation activities only minimally affect Earth's protective ozone layer.

A detailed introduction and history to the U.S. Defense Support Program, a constellation of satellites equipped with infrared sensors ("IR eyes") that looks for ballistic missiles aimed at the United States or its allies.