spacepower theory | space science

usgov research organizations

other research organizations

au research docs | dod & usgov docs

other publications

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see also SpaceCast 2020

see also reference page especially reports

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• Spacepower Theory ___[return to top]
  • see also Reference page, especially Books section

  • see also AWC gateway to military theory and strategy

  • Space Power Integration: Perspectives from Space Weapons Officers, ed. by Brown, AU Press, Dec 2006

  • Spacepower Theory: Lessons from the Masters, by Wagner, ACSC paper, 2005

  • Corbett in Orbit: A Maritime Model for Strategic Space Theory, by Klein, in Naval War College Review, Winter 2004

  • Whither Space Power? Forging a Strategy for the New Century , by Worden and Shaw, Fairchild Paper, 2002
  • Policy, Influence, and Diplomacy: Space as a National Power Element, SAAS paper, 2002

  • Proposed Tenets of Spacepower: Six Enduring Truths, ACSC paper, 2003
  • Ten Propositions Regarding Spacepower, SAAS paper, 2001
  • Four Myths about Space Power, by Elhefnawy, in Parameters, Spring 2003

  • Back to the Future: Space Power Theory and A. T. Mahan, by M. France, in Air & Space Power Chronicles

  • Space Power Theory - a Rising Star, ACSC paper, 1998 - collection of a variety of theories

  • Do We Need Separate Space Theory: The Lessons of History, SAAS paper, 2001
  • An Evolving Doctrine: Force Application from Space, ACSC paper, 2000
  • The Transformation Trinity a Model for Strategic Innovation and Its Application to Space Power, SAAS paper, 2000
  • Clausewitz on Space: Developing Military Space Theory through a Comparative Analysis, ACSC paper, 1999
  • Command and Employment of Space Power: Doctrine for the Asymmetric Technology of the 21st Century, AWC paper, 1997

  • Space Arms Control - a Skeptical View, by Dr Colin Gray, in Air University Review, Nov-Dec 1985 - philosophical aspects still worth reviewing
    • Space is a special, or unique, environment in that states do not own it, no one lives there, and its physical properties are certainly unique. However, space is not special in the sense that states are, or will be, behaving there in ways fundamentally different from their settled habits of mixed cooperation and conflict in the three other geographical dimensions of political engagement.

• Space Science & Technical Theory ___[return to top]
  • see also space 101, the basics

  • science @ NASA

  • Useful Principles of Orbitology, from Space Power Theory, by Oberg
  • A Discussion of Spacelift, from Space Power Theory, by Oberg

  • Orbital Dynamics for the Compleat Idiot, by Washburn, in Naval War College Review, Winter 1999

  • Orbital Mechanics, from the AU Space Primer ...(800 Kb)
  • Rocket Theory, from the AU Space Primer ...(400 Kb)

• US Government Space Research Organizations ___[return to top]
  • see Air University Center for Strategy and Technology (CSAT)

  • see joint and service battle labs, listed by the Air War College Gateway

  • see national and service research labs, listed by the USAF Counterproliferation Center

  • Center for Space Studies and Research (CSSR), AFIT
    • Future military space leaders must understand the importance of research to continued American technological leadership in military space, and research is at the heart of the AFIT educational experience. The Center strengthens AFIT's space-related research in all departments by identifying research opportunities and coordinating AFIT's research efforts with the National Security Space Community. The Center places special emphasis on ensuring that AFIT’s curriculum and research support Air Force Space Command’s mission needs in space control, space force application, space force enhancement, and space support. We also place a high priority on meeting the educational and research needs of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

  • U.S. Air Force Space Battlelab

  • Universities Space Research Association (USRA)
    • Member Universities, with their programs

  • USAF Institute for National Security Studies (INSS)

  • Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)

  • International Space Research Park, NASA
  • Office of Biological & Physical Research, NASA

• Other Space Research Organizations ___[return to top]
  • Space Policy Institute, Elliot School of International Affairs, George Washington University

  • MIT Space Systems Laboratory (SSL)

  • Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Space Sciences (AOSS), U. of Mich.

  • Space Partnership Development, " located at academic institutions and funded by NASA, develop industry partners to pursue specific areas of commercial research. The industry partners generate a demand for doing business in space and help fund a portion of the operations and research."

  • Space Studies Institute (SSI)

  • Space Science Institute (SSI)

  • Space Research Institute (IKI), Russian Academy of Sciences
  • Astro Space Center (ASC), Russian Academy of Sciences

  • Danish Space Research Institute (DSRI)
  • French National Aerospace Research Establishment (ONERA)
  • Space Research Organization Netherlands (SRON)
  • Swedish Space Corporation (SSC)

• Air University Research ___[return to top]
  • see AU Center for Strategy and Technology (CSAT) research papers, many on space

  • Airpower Research Institute (ARI)
    • The Paradigm Shift to Effects-Based Space: Near-Space as a Combat Space Effects Enabler , Airpower Research Institute paper, 2005 - and 2004 Quick Look preview of same topic by same author
    • The International Development of Space and Its Impact on U.S. National Space Policy, Airpower Research Institute paper, 2004

  • Air War College (AWC)
    • Chinese Space Superiority? China's Military Space Capabilities and the Impact of Their Use in a Taiwan Conflict, AWC paper, 2006
    • What Is the Impact to National Security Without Commercial Space Applications?, AWC paper, 2006
    • Achieving Air Superiority Without Space Superiority: Not in a Timely Manner!, AWC paper, 2006
    • Space Threat Warning: Foundation for Space Superiority, Avoiding a Space Pearl Harbor, AWC paper, 2005
    • Going Deep: A System Concept for Detecting Deeply Buried Facilities from Space, AWC paper, 2003
    • Spacepower as a Coercive Force, AWC paper, 2003
    • The Decision Maker’s Guide to Robust, Reliable and Inexpensive Access to Space, AWC paper, 2003
    • How to Institutionalize Space Superiority in the United States Air Force, AWC paper, 2002
    • The Command of Space: a National Vision for American Prosperity and Security, AWC paper, 2001
    • Prompt Global Strikes Through Space: What Military Value, AWC paper, 2000
    • Can the U.S. Air Force Weaponize Space?, AWC paper, 1998
    • Command and Employment of Space Power: Doctrine for the Asymmetric Technology of the 21st Century, AWC paper, 1997
    • Per Ardua Ad Astra: Australian Air Power Post 2010, AWC paper, 1997
    • Ballistic Missile Defense for Europe, AWC paper, 1997
    • China's Space Program and Its Implications for the United States, AWC paper, 1995

  • Air Command and Staff College (ACSC)
    • Spacepower Theory: Lessons from the Masters, by Wagner, ACSC paper, 2005
    • Finding the Middle Ground: the U.S. Air Force, Space Weaponization, and Arms Control, ACSC paper, 2003
    • Sovereignty and Protective Zones in Space and the Appropriate Command and Control of Assets, ACSC paper, 2001
    • Defending the Final Frontier: Commercial Space System Vulnerabilities to Directed Energy Weapon Threats, ACSC paper, 2000
    • How is U.S. Space Power Jeopardized by an Adversary's Exploitation, Technological Developments, Employment, and Engagement of Laser Antisatellite Weapons?, ACSC paper, 2000
    • Integrating Space-Based Fires into the Joint Force After Next, ACSC paper, 2000
    • Space Operations in the Joint Warfighting Arena: the Viability of a Joint Force Space Component Commander, ACSC paper, 2000
    • Space War Meets Info War - the Integration of Space and Information Operations, ACSC paper, 2000
    • Access to Space: Routine, Responsive, and Flexible - Implications for an Expeditionary Air Force, ACSC paper, 1999
    • Integrating Space into an Air Expeditionary Force, ACSC paper, 1999
    • Protecting Commercial Space Systems: a Critical National Security Issue, ACSC paper, 1999
    • The Need for a Dedicated Space Vehicle for Defensive Counterspace Operations, ACSC paper, 1998
    • Virtual Space Control: a Broader Perspective, ACSC paper, 1998
    • Future Roles of Air and Space Power in Combatting Terrorism, ACSC paper, 1997
    • Space Doctrine for the 21st Century, ACSC paper, 1997
    • Convergence or Divergence: The Relationship between Space Doctrine and Air Force Doctrine, ACSC paper, 1997

  • School of Advanced Air and Space Studies (SAASS) - formerly SAAS
    • UCAV- The Next Generation Air-Superiority Fighter?, SAAS paper, 2002
    • Army Space Operations Organization: Stellar Support for the Warfighter, SAAS paper, 2001
    • Vision to Victory - Space, Mahan, and Mitchell: The Role of the Visionary in Cross-organizational Innovation, SAAS paper, 2001
    • Shaping the Space Medium: Does the Geographic CINC Model Apply?, SAAS paper, 2000
    • Securing the Heavens: A Perspective on Space Control Playing Defense and Offense: Employing Rescue Resources as Offensive Weapons, SAAS paper, 1999
    • Does the United States Need Space-based Weapons?, SAAS paper, 1998
    • From Theater Missile Defense to Anti-missile Offensive Actions: A Near-term Strategic Approach for the USAF, SAAS paper, 1998
    • Higher Eyes in the Sky: The Feasibility of Moving AWACS and JSTARS Functions Into Space, SAAS paper, 1998
    • Toward an Air and Space Force: Can We Get There from Here? Naval Aviation and the Implications for Space Power, SAAS paper, 1998
    • Safe Heavens: Military Strategy and Space Sanctuary Thought, SAAS paper, 1997

• Other DoD and USGov Research and Papers ___[return to top]
  • see General Accounting Office (GAO) reports

  • see Congressional Research Service (CRS) reports

  • Using Space Forces as Military Flexible Deterent Options, National War College paper, 2001

• Other Research Publications ___[return to top]
  • Secrets For Sale: How Commercial Satellite Imagery Will Change the World, by Dehqanzada and Florini, CEIP

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