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Space Weapons Earth Wars
By Robert Preston Dana J. Johnson Sean J. A. Edwards Michael D. Miller Calvin Shipbaugh Rand Corporation
Copyright © 2002 Robert Preston
All right reserved. ISBN: 9780833029379
Preface
Since at least the era of Thomas D. White as Air Force Chief of Staff, the Air Force has espoused the full use of the medium of space for national security. Its 1997 vision document,
Global Engagement: A Vision for the 21st Century, made clear that
the Air Force recognizes that any further use of space will be driven by national policy, international events, ... and threats.... However, the nation will expect the Air Force to be prepared to defend U.S. interests in space when necessary.
Since then, the topic of full exploitation of space for national security has become prominent in current congressional interest. A national debate on space weapons seems near.
In preparation for that debate, this report is intended to provide a common vocabulary and common expectations of the possibility, utility, legalities, and limitations of using space weapons in terrestrial conflicts. This report defines and classifies these weapons, describes their different attributes, and explains how they might be used. It explores ways in which the United States and other countries could decide to acquire such weapons. It also explores the ways they could be acquired.
The study was sponsored by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Programs (AF/XP). The result should be of interest to a wide audience interested in the military use of space and national security space policy.
Project AIR FORCE
Project AIR FORCE, a division of RAND, is the Air Force federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) for studies and analysis. It provides the Air Force with independent analyses of policy alternatives affecting the development, employment, combat readiness, and support of current and future aerospace forces. Research is performed in four programs: Aerospace Force Development; Manpower, Personnel, and Training; Resource Management; and Strategy and Doctrine.
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Excerpted from Space Weapons Earth Wars by Robert Preston Dana J. Johnson Sean J. A. Edwards Michael D. Miller Calvin Shipbaugh Copyright © 2002 by Robert Preston. Excerpted by permission.
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