Geopolitical Aspects of Weaponizing Space
Abstract
Exploiting advantages provided by space-based assets is vital to both the civilian and military communities. Corporate investment in satellites has increased private sector capabilities and reduced unit costs. Government investment in satellites has exploited advantages for United States military forces, making them the true remaining military superpower today. Protection of these space-based assets is vital to maintaining these corporate and military advantages. As the United States political and military leaders explore weaponizing space to protect these vital space-based assets, many questions arise. What is the threat to space-based assets? What are the options to counter those threats? Is the diplomatic instrument of power a viable option? These are a few of the questions I look to explore in this paper. As a military officer, I concur the most direct method to protect our space-based assets is space weapons. However, the consequences of space weapons are significant. My purpose here is to explore diplomacy as an alternate option. The United States' leadership in the international community requires we take risks to achieve peace. Which risk is greater - weaponizing space that may create an arms race resulting in space debris, negating use of space after a conflict in space or reaching agreement not to weaponize space, with associated verification procedures, to avoid economic impacts of replacing damaged systems and space debris? I advocate attempting the diplomatic method as the United States leads the international community into the twenty-first century.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA400790
Entities
People
- Donald L. Gleason
Organizations
- United States Army War College