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Eisenhower Center Program Summaries, Space And Defense

Space and Defense

No abstract provided.

Role And Identity For Europe In Space Security, Wolfgang Rathgeber, Nina-Louisa Remus

Space and Defense

This article is reprinted here with permission from the authors. See “Executive Summary” in Wolfgang Rathgeber and Nina- Louisa Remuss, Space Security: A Formative Role and Principled Identity for Europe (European Space Policy Institute Report 16, January 2009).

Modern societies have become heavily dependent on space and its applications. As a consequence, the issue of security in space is increasingly being recognized as critical for humankind. This development is reinforced by events like the Chinese anti-satellite (ASAT) test in January 2007. Various alternatives to support the peaceful uses of space, to promote international cooperation, and to prevent an arms race …

Viewpoint: Space Law And The Advancement Of Spacepower, Peter L. Hays

Space and Defense

The opinions, conclusions, and recommendations expressed or implied in this paper are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the United States Air Force, Department of Defense, or United States Government. The author thanks David Koplow, Phil Meek, and Michael Saretsky for their extremely helpful comments on previous versions of this article.

Space law has and should continue to play an essential role in the evolution of spacepower. Testing the principle of “freedom of space” and helping establish the legality of satellite overflight were primary objectives of NSC- 5520, the first U.S. …

Viewpoint: Outer Space Treaty And Enhancing Space Security, Joanne Irene Gabrynowicz

Space and Defense

This article is republished here with permission from the author. See “Building the Architecture for Sustainable Space Security,” Conference Report, 30-31 March 2006, United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research.

The specific question addressed here is: what progress could be made at a possible Outer Space Treaty (OST) Revision Conference and how should a possible Revision Conference unfold?”1 The answer to the question as framed is, with serious trepidation and extreme caution. However, the question contains the assumption that a revision conference for the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including …

Article List, Space And Defense

Space and Defense

No abstract provided.

Concluding Assessments, Space And Defense

Space and Defense

We are at a critical juncture in the evolution of space – we need an intellectual foundation to guide policy and actions. Space was a major instrument and force in shaping the 20th century and the nation’s strategy – Apollo, nuclear deterrence, international cooperation, technology advances, and international conduct exemplify this. A central question is: will space be a similar force in 21st century – will it be determinant of great power status, a key instrument of national power? Today, there is the recognition among leaders that space is not a discretionary activity, but essential to the well-being of the …

Implementing Security Space Policy In The New Administration, Space And Defense

Space and Defense

The Obama Administration has started out strong in the area of space policy formulation and implementation with calls for reestablishing the National Space Council, although this has not happened yet, and by undertaking a number of space policy reviews, including the Augustine Commission on human spaceflight, National Security Council (NSC) and Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) reviews of national space policy under Presidential Directive, the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), and the DOD Space Posture Review. Further, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and OSTP list space as a science and technology priority because it addresses several priorities, …

China’S Role In Space: Cooperation, Competition, And Conflict, Space And Defense

Space and Defense

The panelists in this session were in agreement that China pursues cooperation, competition, and conflict in space. Space capabilities can be used to forge and improve relations with some states. These capabilities are also a means of displaying and projecting comprehensive national power. Finally, space capabilities apply to conflict.

New Approaches To Arms Control, Space And Defense

Space and Defense

There is a sparse record of accomplishment in arms control related to space. One, the Outer Space Treaty constrained the development of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) activities in space. Two, the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty prohibited space-based ballistic missile defense (BMD). Three, arms control treaties reaffirmed the ABM Treaty’s valuable normsetting provisions protective of satellites for intelligence ends. And four, there was one serious effort to negotiate constraints on military space capabilities concerning ASAT weapons between the U.S. and Soviet Union in the mid-1970s.

Military-Civil-Commercial Space Cooperation, Space And Defense

Space and Defense

This session addressed space cooperation across military, civil, and commercial space sectors by examining what is working, what are the obstacles, and what would you change. Following this, the discussion assessed the utility of national space strategy – do we need a national space strategy and strategy for what – to advance cooperation among the space sectors.

International Cooperation In Asia And Europe, Space And Defense

Space and Defense

The Obama Administration put forward a new focus on international cooperation that is more multilateral, where the U.S. listens to friends and allies, but where friends and allies are expected to bear their fair share of the burden. Panelists in this session identified four factors important to foster space cooperation: (1) cooperation must be credible in that there is political will and the proposed cooperation offers something of value to each partner; (2) the collaborative arrangements should demonstrate a cost (burden to be accomplished) and benefit (value) to each partner; (3) cooperation should build national capacity; and (4) cooperation should …

Space Deterrence And National Policy, Space And Defense

Space and Defense

The opening remarks for this session began with a review of the Space Deterrence Study recently completed (August 2009) by the Eisenhower Center for Space and Defense Studies and published in Space and Defense 3: 1 (2009). This review was followed by brief discussion of peer reviews and commentaries of the Deterrence Study, also published in Space and Defense 3: 1 (2009).

Threat Assessments And The Space Domain, Space And Defense

Space and Defense

This session focused on risks in relation to the space domain, and the issue of how government resources should be applied to address risks. The point was made that the focus on threat assessments should be on looking for the most probable risks – since 9/11 the focus has been to identify all possible risks, and this is problematic as resources are inadequate for this approach. What is missing is a political context for threat assessments. It is the job of the military to consider all threats – to think of worst-case scenarios and to explore how to counter threats. …

2009 National Space Forum, Space And Defense

Space and Defense

Program Overview

Note For Contributors, Space And Defense

Space and Defense

No abstract provided.

Table Of Contents Volume No. 2, Space And Defense

Space and Defense

No abstract provided.

Front Matter Volume 3 Issue 2, Space And Defense

Space and Defense

No abstract provided.

Notes For Contributors, Space And Defense

Space and Defense

No abstract provided.

An Alternative View On Space Deterrence, Dwight D. Rauhala, Jonty L. Kasku-Jackson

Space and Defense

The authors of the “Space Deterrence” report provide thoughtful, common sense recommendations to strengthen space deterrence, and given the complexity of deterrence, provide a “layered defense” strategy. The first recommendation given was to improve space situational awareness (SSA). As the authors acknowledge, these recommendations are not “cost constrained.” Although this and other recommendations bear consideration, one difficult task will be in addressing potential costs. The next recommendation is to develop internal red lines, a system by which internal alerts provide notifications to the “national command authority.” (National Command Authorities was a term that referred collectively to the President of the …

Air Force Space Command Perspective On Space Deterrence, Mike Manor, Kurt Neuman

Space and Defense

The Eisenhower Center for Space and Defense Studies embarked on an ambitious project when they tackled the subject of space deterrence. The end result is a comprehensive report that provides an excellent summary of changes in the strategic space environment, as well as a perceptive analytical framework for assessing deterrence options. The layered strategy – International Norms, Entanglement, Retaliation, and Denial – is an original model that nicely captures vital aspects of space deterrence. Closing out the report are recommendations that are practical and cogent, offering clear steps for improving the deterrent posture of the United States in space.

Deter War, Not Attacks Against Space Systems, John B. Sheldon

Space and Defense

The “Space Deterrence: The Delicate Balance of Risk” study by the Eisenhower Center for Space and Defense Studies has much merit to it. First, to undertake the task at all is praiseworthy given the enormity and importance of the topic. Second, the study contains many sensible points, ranging from the uncertain nature of deterrence to measures needed to physically protect space systems that policy makers and students of strategy would do well to note. But as noteworthy as the Space Deterrence study is, there are two wider points to consider that are not found in its pages. The omission of …

Strengthening Deterrence: Assuring Delivery Of Space Capabilities, Peter L. Hays

Space and Defense

The Eisenhower Center for Space and Defense Studies’ report on “Space Deterrence: The Delicate Balance of Risk” briefly overviews fundamental deterrence concepts and evaluates how deterrence functioned during the Cold War; it masterfully assesses the most relevant and applicable lessons for today’s space deterrence challenges. The report comprehensively and multi-dimensionally addresses space deterrence by discussing key issues, including the vulnerability gap the United Sates faces with respect to space capabilities, the difficulty of defense, problems with credibility of retaliation in an asymmetric environment, and weaknesses in space situational awareness (SSA) and attribution. It also makes key recommendations to develop internal …

A Good Starting Point For Deterrence, Dean Cheng

Space and Defense

A central focus for much of the Cold War was determining what would deter the Soviet Union; this was a topic upon which many of the West’s best and brightest labored to determine. In order to deter the former Soviet Union, a huge intellectual edifice was erected, which helped guide a variety of military programs, including not only the American strategic triad of land-based and sea-based missiles and manned bombers, but tactical nuclear weapons, hardened command and control, and space-based early warning systems. It also incorporated concepts, such as “extended deterrence,” “escalation dominance,” and “mutual assured destruction.”

Space Deterrence: The Delicate Balance Of Risk, Roger G. Harrison, Deron R. Jackson, Collins G. Shackelford

Space and Defense

The United States has created a military structure that is heavily satellite-dependent, without making corresponding improvements in the survivability of its space systems. The result is a classic opportunity for asymmetric, preemptive attack. The central question of this study is how to structure a strategy of deterrence to persuade potentially hostile actors that the costs of attack will nevertheless outweigh the benefits.

Preface For Volume 3 No. 1, Space And Defense

Space and Defense

No abstract provided.

Table Of Contents Volume 2 No. 1, Space And Defense

Space and Defense

No abstract provided.

Front Matter Volume 3 No. 1, Space And Defense

Space and Defense

No abstract provided.

Notes For Contributors, Space And Defense

Space and Defense

No abstract provided.

A Chinese Perspective On China-United States Cooperation In Space, Dingli Shen

Space and Defense

This article describes the arrival of new space actors from Asia, with particular focus on China. It analyzes the lack of cooperation in civilian space programs between China and the United States (U.S.), and the possible negative consequence of this. The paper suggests that the principles of non-diversion and reciprocity in accession as the foundation for China-U.S. collaboration in the civilian sector of space collaboration. This paper addresses the ongoing defense program with space application by the two countries, suggesting an overall program for China and the U.S. to have dialogue, as well as collaboration in space areas, promoting mutual …

Strategic Communications With China About Space, Joan Johnson-Freese

Space and Defense

In 2006, I published an article entitled “Strategic Communication with China: What Message About Space?”1 The article pointed out that difficulties encountered in trying to convey its message regarding the Global War on Terror to a global audience had convinced the United States, or at least the Defense Science Board, that it needed to use strategic communications more effectively. From there I extrapolated, “If one believes that big problems are best tackled in small bites, ‘space’ perhaps offers an area where the United States can begin to understand and tackle some of the strategic communication issues it faces.”2 Communication mishaps …