Prospects for Continuing U.S. Superiority in Space: A Scenario-Based Assessment
Abstract
Joint Vision 2020 prescribes the goal of creating a force for 2020 and beyond that is 'dominant across the full-spectrum of military operations'. Full-spectrum dominance implies access to, freedom to operate in, all domains, in other words, 'superiority' in space, sea, land, air, and information. It has now become apparent that a failure to maintain superiority in space will undermine the ability of U.S. forces to prevail across the full spectrum of future military operations. Therefore, in this research, the viability of space superiority in 2020 is considered. A methodology is constructed that extrapolates current trends, events, and developments to the future in order to evaluate this timely strategic issue. A rigorous scenario development process produced a future environment where commercial space has been relegated to the periphery of the global information infrastructure. Military space is dominant, yet, ironically, the findings presented here indicate this actually threatens the viability of space superiority as a strategic concept.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA395452
Entities
People
- Randall J. Welp
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College