Two Russian GLONASS operators last week descended upon Schriever AFB, Colo., meeting with GPS operators of the 2nd Space Operations Squadron. They were part of a group that included representatives from Europe and Japan, who were at the base to learn about the history and future of the Global Positioning System and its possible integration with GLONASS and future satellite navigation systems. GLONASS—Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite System—was developed by the Soviets during the Cold War as the counterpoint to USAF’s Global Positioning System satellites.
After years of describing to lawmakers and Pentagon leaders the nature of that threat and the key role spacepower plays in deterring conflict in the domain and enabling the rest of the joint force, Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman told reporters during AFA’s Warfare Symposium here that the message appears to…