Out of the Blue and Into the Black: Creation of the United States Space Force.
Abstract
The success of space assets in the Gulf War demonstrated the space capabilities of the United States to the world. Building on those successes of space from the war for the future of the nation. Unfortunately, the primary mission of the Air Force (airpower) has slowed the space power advancement. A solution to effectively apply space power for the United States lies in the creation of a separate service, or space force. Research was conducted using an organizational diagnosis as a theorem for strategic change. An autopsy of related research and literature was conducted in order to establish justification for a separate service to advance space power for the nation. The first dimension examined is the medium of space. Defining the medium, along with such areas as airpower and space power establishes a factual foundation from which to launch the idea of a separate service. Reasoning for and against a separate service is presented, including application of the Organizational Diagnosis to the Air Force. The model provides a skeleton to build the separate service, supporting the advancement of space power for the nation. The historical perspective of space and space assets in the Gulf War is reviewed, as well as a planned structure for the new service. The research concludes with the theory that a separate service is the optimal way to employ space power for the nation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA367209
Entities
People
- John S. Riordan
Organizations
- United States Air Force Academy