Military Activities in Space: Law, Policy and the Expected Maturation of Tactically Relevant Space Control

Abstract

This article examines some of the issues facing military strategists today in developing and expanding Space technologies in light of existing international law and U.S. policy. It focuses on their application in the area of tactically relevant Space control, especially in the realm of negating adversary Space capabilities (arguably the most controversial form of Space control). The article begins with a general discussion of how the application of technology to warfare influences strategic development and moves to the more specific discussion of military uses of recent and emerging Space technologies. This is followed by a portrayal of the emerging Space environment in regard to the growth in satellites and Space-faring nations, setting the stage for an examination of existing international treaties and U.S. policies in regard to Space-based systems. Finally, this essay looks at U.S. plans for Space control negation, and refines the discussion to a particular service. In this case, the Army is used to show how Space control must be included as a critical part of its transformation over the next 10 to 15 years.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2005
Accession Number
ADA524902

Entities

People

  • Tom James

Organizations

  • United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Cold War
  • Communication Systems
  • Department Of Defense
  • International Law
  • International Relations
  • Law
  • Military Operations
  • National Security
  • Outer Space
  • Security
  • Situational Awareness
  • Space Based
  • Space Objects
  • Space Systems
  • United States
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Strategic Security Studies
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space