Towards Improved Operational Command and Control of Space Weapons

Towards Improved Operational Command and Control of Space Weapons

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 2007

Total Pages: 26

ISBN-13:

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Recently, discussions concerning the weaponization of space have begun to reach a crescendo. Political and military leaders within the United States have started expanding the national discussion regarding this highly debated topic. This paper will not focus on the weaponization debate as a matter of policy, but rather will offer options for operational command and control of space weapons hypothetically deployed. Two broad categories are analyzed: command and control using reachback, and command and control from within the theater commander's operational area. The latter is divided into two possibilities: creation of a Joint Force Space Component Command (JFSCC) or creation of a Joint Force Air and Space Component Command (JFASCC). With doctrinal guidance as a starting point, each of these options for space strike command and control is analyzed according to its advantages and disadvantages to the operational commander. The paper concludes with a rationale for future Joint Force Commanders to create a Joint Forces Space Component Command to best command and control space strike assets.


Defense Against the Dark Arts in Space

Defense Against the Dark Arts in Space

Author: Todd Harrison

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Published: 2021-10-20

Total Pages: 53

ISBN-13: 1538140322

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The proliferation of counterspace weapons across the globe often calls into question what can be done to best protect satellites from attack. This analysis from the CSIS Aerospace Security Project addresses different methods and technologies that can be used by the United States government, and others, to deter adversaries from attack. A wide range of active and passive defenses are available to protect space systems and the ground infrastructure they depend upon from different types of threats. This report captures a range of active and passive defenses that are theoretically possible and discusses the advantages and limitations of each. A group of technical space and national security experts supported the analysis by working through several plausible scenarios that explore a range of defenses that may be needed, concepts for employing different types of defenses, and how defensive actions in space may be perceived by others. These scenarios and the findings that resulted from subsequent conversations with experts are reported in the penultimate chapter of the report. Finally, the CSIS Aerospace Security Project team offers conclusions drawn from the analysis, actionable recommendations for policymakers, and additional research topics to be explored in future work.


Sustained Space Superiority

Sustained Space Superiority

Author: Larry J. Schaefer

Publisher:

Published: 2002

Total Pages: 70

ISBN-13:

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"The increasing importance of space for U.S. national security requires the nation to protect its interests by sustaining a position of space superiority. The forces of globalization are forcing the United States to move away from its historical stance of maintaining space as a sanctuary toward the concept of using weapons in space. The United States must prepare sufficient "bridges" to make the transition to using weapons in space in view of psychological impediments and treaty obligations, which must be orchestrated to support and protect the current uses of space while preparing for eventual conflict in space. This study examines a framework for organizing U.S. space activities into a coherent national strategy sustained space superiority. It analyzes several dimensions that affect a national strategy for U.S. space superiority, including its military, intelligence, and economic components. This national strategy for space superiority will require strong leadership and public support because this strategy will be expensive and involve a long-term commitment. While the United States enjoys space superiority today, this advantage will be lost if the nation does not take the necessary steps to sustain it." -- Abstract.


Military Space Operations: Satellite Control System Improved, But Serious Problems Remain

Military Space Operations: Satellite Control System Improved, But Serious Problems Remain

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 1991

Total Pages: 48

ISBN-13:

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The Department of Defense's (DOD) satellites perform a wide variety of missions to support national security interests and pursue advances in research and development. The missions include communications, navigation, strategic defense, tactical warning and attack assessment, and other classified missions. The Air Force's Satellite Control Network controls satellite launches, maintains satellites, and keeps them in orbit. Since 1980, Air Force Systems Command has been upgrading its satellite command and control system, called the Command and Control Segment (CCS). The Chairman, Subcommittee on Strategic Forces and Nuclear Deterrence, Senate Committee on Armed Services, concerned about the program's shifting requirements, continuing schedule delays, technical problems, and increasing costs, asked GAO to review the Air Force's actions to complete the command and control system upgrade and turn it over to Air Force Space Command in 1993.


The Militarization and Weaponization of Space

The Militarization and Weaponization of Space

Author: Matthew Mowthorpe

Publisher: Lexington Books

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 272

ISBN-13: 9780739107133

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The militarization of space began as a rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union and grew to enormous proportions during the height of the Cold War. Satellite reconnaissance, navigation and weapons guidance, and electronic intelligence comprise only a few of the efforts taken to militarize and dominate space. Today as the prominence of information technology, computing, and telecommunications advances, so does the concept of space as a battlefield. In The Militarization and Weaponization of Space, Matthew Mowthorpe diligently analyzes the military space policies of the United States, the Soviet Union/Russia, and the People's Republic of China from the Cold War period to the present day. Mowthorpe focuses on the development of the ballistic missile defense and other anti-satellite systems and aptly assesses to what degree space will become armed. This work cogently addresses an issue of increasing urgency to scholars of international politics.


Space Capstone Publication Spacepower

Space Capstone Publication Spacepower

Author: Us Government United States Space Force

Publisher:

Published: 2020-08-11

Total Pages: 80

ISBN-13:

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This book, Space Capstone Publication Spacepower: Doctrine for Space Forces, is capstone doctrine for the United States Space Force and represents our Service's first articulation of an independent theory of spacepower. This publication answers why spacepower is vital for our Nation, how military spacepower is employed, who military space forces are, and what military space forces value. In short, this capstone document is the foundation of our professional body of knowledge as we forge an independent military Service committed to space operations. Like all doctrine, the SCP remains subject to the policies and strategies that govern its employment. Military spacepower has deterrent and coercive capacities - it provides independent options for National and Joint leadership but achieves its greatest potential when integrated with other forms of military power. As we grow spacepower theory and doctrine, we must do so in a way that fosters greater integration with the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. It is only by achieving true integration and interdependence that we can hope to unlock spacepower's full potential.


Weaponisation of Space

Weaponisation of Space

Author: P. A. Patil

Publisher: First

Published: 2017

Total Pages: 241

ISBN-13: 9789386288424

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Militarily, use of space-based assets, when integrated with operations, assumes importance as one of the many force multipliers. As on date, outer space is being extensively used by the armed forces for varied services which include navigation, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, environmental monitoring and advance warning. The command and control in today's net-centric environment also depends on space resources. Thus, the use of outer space with space-based assets in support of military operations leads to the deduction that space as a medium stands militarised. Of late, many of the dominant nations have developed, or are expanding, capabilities to attack the space-based assets of potential adversaries to disrupt command and control structures. Countries like the US and China are contesting for space supremacy and working towards developing space-based weapons capable of being delivered from space-based platforms. These developments, in turn, are infusing a sense of insecurity amongst other international players, including India, and have raised concerns worldwide. Development of space-based weapons by any state has the potential to ignite a new arms race in space as many countries now possess the wherewithal for launching space-based assets capable of carrying the required payloads. Thus, from the present capability of 'militarisation of space', we seem to be graduating towards 'weaponisation of space'. As outer space has been designated as one of the 'global' commons, any sort of deployment or employment of space weapons raises concerns and any use of space-based weapons will have unpleasant cascading effects. In the absence of any international curb or law on space weaponisation, it continues to be a conceptual possibility as well as an empirical reality.


Space Power Integration

Space Power Integration

Author: Kendall K. Brown

Publisher:

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 234

ISBN-13: 9781585661589

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"This book is the culmination of Gen Lance Lord's vision to initiate vigorous discussion about how best to integrate space to support the war fighter. From the first Space Weapons Officer Air and Space Integration Conference in 2005 come nine research papers that form the basis for this publication and fulfillment of General Lord's vision. The papers address issues across a spectrum of air- and space-integration topics at the operational level of war."--AU Press web site.


Space Weapons and U.S. Strategy

Space Weapons and U.S. Strategy

Author: Paul B. Stares

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2021-01-26

Total Pages: 274

ISBN-13: 1000280756

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This book, first published in 1985, analyses the factors that have shaped the militarization of space. By examining in great detail the determinants of U.S. policy, it explains why for over 25 years space did not become the scene of an arms race, and why this began to change in the late 1970s. Both superpowers did, however, develop a limited anti-satellite capability in the 1960s, and these programmes are also discussed.