Spacepower: A Strategic Assessment and Way Forward
Abstract
Space capabilities will probably provide the greatest added value to national power, wealth, and military lethality in the 21st Century. The United States does not have a National Security Space Strategy to guide its activities and has largely followed its technological prowess to exploit the space medium. Meanwhile, the number of government, commercial, and non-state entities engaged in space activities has multiplied. The strategic environment is increasingly influenced by spacepower. In this age of astropolitics, failure to understand the nature of spacepower and how to wield it could lead to serious miscalculations by strategic leaders and tragic consequences for peace and stability. This paper first examines the strategic environment's most pressing global and domestic factors influencing the development and employment of spacepower. Secondly, national purpose, space interests, and current space policy are examined, followed by a survey of strategic thinking that has influenced defense space policy, programs, and doctrine. Finally, major issues are assessed and specific recommendations are offered to guide the formulation of a valid National Security Space Strategy that can give substance to the National Space Policy, positively influence the strategic environment, and enable a favorable future.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 29, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA469671
Entities
People
- Jeffrey A. Farnsworth
Organizations
- United States Army War College