Patti R. Albaugh
Maggie De Block recently spoke to SaddleBrooke Sunrise Rotary about her work with the Defense Support Program (DSP). She retired from the Aerospace industry (TRW) after 25 years. Maggie might be a petite woman, but she had tall responsibilities at work. In charge of negotiating major subcontracts for spacecraft hardware in support of defense communication satellites, she also retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the USAFR.
Members learned that for over four decades, the Defense Support Program’s satellites have kept constant watch over the world to detect strategic and tactical missile launches and provide early warning of an enemy attack. Using increasingly sophisticated sensors, DSP satellites are able to detect ICBM launches, nuclear detonations and other missile launches much earlier than ground-based radar. On Maggie’s watch, DSP served a critical role during Operation Desert Storm, detecting the launch of SCUD missiles and providing timely warning to civilian populations, coalition forces and commanders in Israel and Saudi Arabia. Being the good patriot, Maggie couldn’t tell us everything she knew, but we heard many fascinating details of how DSP satellites operate.
SaddleBrooke Sunrise Rotary Club meets every Thursday at the MountainView Bistro, East Room at 8:00 a.m. Come for breakfast and enjoy the fun. Join us for informative programs and opportunities for giving back to the community. For more information contact Mark Douglas at [email protected].