Security

Operation Rogue Satellite: The PR Plan

With a few notable exceptions, government officials’ public remarks about the spy satellite shoot-down were remarkably consistent: the hydrazine fuel on board is dangerous; the operation to blow it to bits isn’t some sort of missile-defense test; the U.S. government isn’t about to start some arms race in space. It’s as if all of those […]

21sat533
With a few notable exceptions, government officials' public remarks about the spy satellite shoot-down were remarkably consistent: the hydrazine fuel on board is dangerous; the operation to blow it to bits isn't some sort of missile-defense test; the U.S. government isn't about to start some arms race in space. It's as if all of those folks were reading from a single set of talking points.

Turns out, they were. Our friend AT points us to this Defense Department "SATELLITE ENGAGEMENT COMMUNICATIONS PLAN, 14 FEB 08."

The plan provides page after page of sample Q&As to help guide government officials' interactions with the press, the Congress, and foreign diplomats. Here's a sample:

Will the U.S. re-consider its strong opposition to the Russia's proposal for a "Prevention of Placement of Weapons in Outer Space Treaty (PPWT)"?

• No. For the past 30 years, no U.S. Administration has been able to find a proposal for a space arms control treaty that is verifiable and in the national security interest of the United States.

Does this action herald the start of a new arms race in outer space?

• No. The Cold War is over.

The plan also lays out, specifically, which audiences the various arms of the government should be trying to sway. The State Department will chat with foreign governments and "potential country (countries) of impact." The Defense Department's public affairs shop will reach out to the media. And it will target the "Echo Chamber" and "Opinion Influencers" by "Conduct[ing a] Conf[erence] Call for Military Analysts."

It's fair to say that the outreach effort succeeded: the press reported this story with a minimum of skepticism; the reaction overseas was fairly muted. Of course, the slickest public relations move of all was the Navy nailing the satellite on the first try. Like the old saw goes, actions speak louder than words. Even scripted words.

ALSO: