Wilkerson Don L. Space power theory: controlling the medium without weapons in space

Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA, Strategic Studies Institute, 2008. — 37 p.Since space operations are inherently joint, the Services have strived to normalize and operationalize space operations for military utility Services rely heavily on space-based force enhancement capabilities as combat multipliers for on-demand communications, navigation, missile early warning, reconnaissance and surveillance The protection of U.S. strategic space assets and the ability to negate enemy space systems is essential to U.S. space strategy in controlling the geographical environment of space, predominately in the Lower Earth Orbit (LEO) Modern theorists suggest today's military is poised to develop a space power theory, similar to Gorbett's sea power theory, that is relevant in the exploitation of the space medium The challenges associated with space power as a theory begins with the emerging threat to on-orbit assets by nation states as well as non-state actors This paper examines whether the U.S military should. deploy weapons into space, or are emerging offensive ground-based weapon systems and conventional weapons sufficient for a space power theory today It answers the question does the U.S. need weapons in orbit to control the space medium in order to have a recognizable DoD space power theory?