The Challenge of Space Power
Abstract
Thanks to Star Trek, space is often called the "final frontier." I call it the "permanent frontier." It is without end, forever, and limitless. It is truly a realm about which the more you learn, the more you realize just how much more there is left to learn. My education in aerospace has occurred in Congress. I came to the House of Representatives in 1985 and served on the Space Subcommittee of the Science and Technology Committee until my election to the Senate in 1990. During that period, President Ronald Reagan reinvigorated America's awareness of the possibilities of space with his Strategic Defense Initiative. I participated in the twists and turns of some very difficult issues--the Hubble telescope, expendable launch vehicles versus the space shuttle, the Challenger disaster, and the space station. I became a staunch supporter of space programs during those turbulent years, and my interest in space has deepened since then. As chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee on Armed Services, my focus is now more on the national security applications of space--but I have never lost my fascination with the sheer mystery of it all. I hope my on-the-job education in Congress has taught me a few things. My approach to space has come to rest on three assertions: (1) America's future security and prosperity depend on our constant supremacy in space; (2) although we are ahead of any potential rival in exploiting space, we are not unchallenged, and our future dominance is by no means assured; and (3) to achieve true dominance, we must combine expansive thinking with a sustained and substantial commitment of resources and vest them in a dedicated, politically powerful, independent advocate for space power.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA529829
Entities
People
- Bob Smith
Organizations
- Air University