Some Propositions on Spacepower
Abstract
At the turn of the 21st century, spacepower remains on unsure theoretical and doctrinal footing. Despite more than forty years as the dominant actor in military space, the Air Force has not found a definitive way of conceptualizing space. It vacillates between the terms aerospace and air and space to describe operating environments beyond the earth's surface. Indeed, this distinction gives rise to heated debate among the members of two schools of thought. One holds that air and space operations form a single dimension of military power. The other sees them as separate and distinct. The case for airpower as an autonomous dimension of military power is convincing and generally understood; however, the same cannot be said of spacepower, especially inside the Air Force. The propositions that follow describe the nature of spacepower and serve as a foundation for a working spacepower theory.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA525715
Entities
People
- Michael V. Smith
Organizations
- National Defense University