Does the United States Need Space-based Weapons?

Does the United States Need Space-based Weapons?
Author: William L. Spacy II.
Publisher:
Total Pages: 138
Release: 1999
Genre: Astronautics, Military
ISBN:

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Major Spacy examines the kinds of weapons that have been proposed for use in space. He compares their capabilities with those of their surface-based counterparts. He addresses two questions: What do space-based weapons have to offer that other forms of military power lack? What are space-based weapons likely to cost both in terms of dollars and in lost opportunities for pursuing other systems? Major Spacy evaluates the theoretical capabilities of orbital weapons and compares them to weapons already in existence and concepts proposed for development. His objective is to provide insight into where future investments should be made if the United States is to protect its increasingly important space-based assets and retain its position as a global leader able to project military power wherever necessary.

Does the United States Need Space-Based Weapons?

Does the United States Need Space-Based Weapons?
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 113
Release: 1998
Genre:
ISBN:

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The world may be on the verge of a new era of warfare, one where battles are not only fought within the biosphere of the earth but also in the space surrounding it. Recent conflicts have shown the tremendous advantages conferred upon those who have the advantage of space-based assets, limited though they are, to helping forces navigate, communicate, and spy upon their enemies. Some argue that fighting in space itself is inevitable, while others hold that space should be maintained as a sanctuary, free of weapons. The purpose of this study is not to argue for or against the weaponization of space, but rather to examine the kinds of weapons that have been pro - posed for use in space and compare their capabilities with those of their surface-based counterparts. In making this analysis, the efficacy of various concepts will be measured by balancing three measures: cost, technical feasibility, and each weapon's ability to provide the advantages of using space to the United States (US) and her allies or denying such advantages to an enemy.

Space Weapons Earth Wars

Space Weapons Earth Wars
Author: Robert Preston
Publisher: Rand Corporation
Total Pages: 231
Release: 2002-02-13
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0833032526

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This overview aims to inform the public discussion of space-based weapons by examining their characteristics, potential attributes, limitations, legality, and utility. The authors do not argue for or against space weapons, nor do they estimate the potential costs and performance of specific programs, but instead sort through the realities and myths surrounding space weapons in order to ensure that debates and discussions are based on fact.

Does the United States Need Space-Based Weapons?

Does the United States Need Space-Based Weapons?
Author: Air University Air University Press
Publisher: CreateSpace
Total Pages: 106
Release: 2015-01-03
Genre:
ISBN: 9781505902228

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The U.S. Air Force is said to be evolving into an Air and Space Force on its way to becoming a Space and Air Force. Part of this transition includes the possibility of deploying weapons in space. While much has been written about the need for weapons in space, or conversely the need to keep space as a sanctuary, little has been published about what space-based weapons can and cannot bring to the battlefield. A decision to put weapons in space, or to refrain from doing so, should be based on a firm foundation of knowledge about what the weapons can be expected to do. Numerous concepts have been advocated as natural evolutions of surface and airborne weapons; it is critical to examine how these orbital weapons compare with their terrestrial counterparts. This book evaluates the theoretical capabilities of orbital weapons and compares them to weapons already in existence and concepts proposed for development. The objective of this book is to provide insight into where future investments should be made if the United States is to protect its increasingly important space-based assets, and retain its position as a global leader able to project military power wherever necessary.

The Physics of Space Security

The Physics of Space Security
Author: David Wright
Publisher:
Total Pages: 198
Release: 2005
Genre: Artificial satellites
ISBN:

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Defense Against the Dark Arts in Space

Defense Against the Dark Arts in Space
Author: Todd Harrison
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Total Pages: 53
Release: 2021-10-20
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 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.

THE CADRE PAPERS: Does the United States Need Space-Based Weapons?

THE CADRE PAPERS: Does the United States Need Space-Based Weapons?
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 1999
Genre:
ISBN:

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The world may be on the verge of a new era of warfare, one where battles are not only fought within the biosphere of the earth but also in the space surrounding it. Recent conflicts have shown the tremendous advantages conferred upon those who have the advantage of space-based assets, limited though they are, to helping forces navigate, communicate, and spy upon their enemies. Some argue that fighting in space itself is inevitable, while others hold that space should be maintained as a sanctuary, free of weapons. The purpose of this study is not to argue for or against the weaponization of space, but rather to examine the kinds of weapons that have been proposed for use in space and compare their capabilities with those of their surface-based counterparts. In making this analysis, the efficacy of various concepts will be measured by balancing three measures: cost, technical feasibility, and each weapon's ability to provide the advantages of using space to the United States (US) and her allies or denying such advantages to an enemy.

Laser Weapons In Space

Laser Weapons In Space
Author: Keith B. Payne
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 183
Release: 2019-03-04
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 0429716915

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This is the first comprehensive examination of the issues surrounding the potential development by the United States of a space-based laser weapons program. The authors assess the implications of arms control agreements for a satellite-based laser program, including discussions of recent Soviet space-related arms control initiatives and the forthcoming ABM treaty review. They outline likely Soviet responses to a U.S. space-based laser system, address criticisms of the proposed program, and consider its future in light of developments in U.S. defense strategy and doctrine.