Space Resilience and the Contested, Degraded, and Operationally Limited Environment: The Gaps in Tactical Space Operations

Abstract

The ability of space assets to deliver combat effects to theater operators is at a critical juncture. Over the past decade, not only have adversary counterspace capability and strategy surged markedly but also the number of objects occupying space have risen exponentially. A significant proportion of US Air Force space systems were conceived and brought online during a much different operational landscape, and we have continued to operate a number of them well past their design life. Space is not the invulnerable high ground it once was. National security space leadership has recognized these challenges and describes our present environment as contested, degraded, and operationally limited (CDO). Gen William L. Shelton, who recently retired after serving as commander, Air Force Space Command (AFSPC), has challenged the space operations and acquisitions community to reevaluate mission resiliency in light of these new circumstances. This appeal has manifested in the institution of new strategy and policy focused on bolstering space situational awareness (SSA), the disaggregation of system capability across new architectures, and the cultivation of international partnerships. While these initiatives may eventually result in the desired resiliency, they face implementation challenges in the form of tightened budgets and constrained manning. History has shown that the strategic advantages provided by technological capability are contingent upon their application by a well-trained, competent fighting force. These rules of warfare are no less applicable to space: the most effective defensive space control system will be the tactical crews and support personnel on whose shoulders mission assurance firmly sits. We assert that in a CDO environment, space operations squadrons are not prepared to provide global combat effects in support of joint force commander (JFC) objectives.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 2014
Accession Number
ADA626050

Entities

People

  • Bryan M. Bell
  • Even T. Rogers

Organizations

  • Air and Space Power Journal

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Cyber
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Human Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Communication Satellites
  • Control Systems
  • Curriculum
  • Directed Energy Weapons
  • Electronic Intelligence
  • Environment
  • Low Earth Orbits
  • Military Satellites
  • Military Science
  • Reconnaissance Satellites
  • Situational Awareness
  • Space Operations
  • Space Situational Awareness
  • Warfare
  • Weapon Systems

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Strategic Security Studies

Technology Areas

  • Space