Military Man in Space Essential to National Strategy.

Abstract

The United States has never had a consistent policy regarding the use of military men and women in space. At a time when the United States, and much of the developed world,has become critically dependent on space assets, continued inconsistency may prove detrimental to U.S. national interests. This paper proposes that using military "soldiers" in space is important to the national security of the United States. It begins with a review of the way space systems impact national policy today, and how that might change over the next few decades. Subsequent chapters focus on the unique talents humans bring to space operations, citing case histories in which astronauts and cosmonauts made the difference between mission success or failure. Following is a history of previous military programs designed to use or explore the use of military astronauts. Despite the cancellation of those programs, there are still potential roles for military personnel in space, and they are discussed as well. Space doctrine should be the same as that for air, sea or land. Space is simply another potential battlefield.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1995
Accession Number
ADA294448

Entities

People

  • Joseph A. Carretto Jr

Organizations

  • Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerial Warfare
  • Air Force
  • Air Power
  • Aircrafts
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Control Systems
  • Directed Energy Weapons
  • Military Aircraft
  • Military Applications
  • Military Operations
  • National Security
  • Solar Panels
  • Space Systems
  • Space Transportation
  • Spacecraft
  • Spacecraft Orbits
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.
  • Strategic Security Studies

Technology Areas

  • Space