Evolution of US military space doctrine: precedents, prospects, and challenges

Thesis/Dissertation · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:6367983

Johnson, D J

This dissertation examines the evolution of US military space doctrine by: (1) defining military doctrine, its importance, and how it should be evaluated; (2) identifying principles of geopolitics, strategy, and war applicable to military space operations; (3) establishing how well does Air Force aerospace doctrine treat space issues and requirements for itself and the other Services: (4) identifying future directions for military space doctrine; and (5) postulating what might constitute a US military space doctrine in the future. The approach utilized incorporates analyses of the space environment, geopolitics, strategy, the principles of war, and the development of air power and sea power to provide a framework of constants or invariants within which military space operations must be conducted. It also utilizes a framework of inconstants or variants, consisting of technology impacts and organizational requirements, to which military space doctrine must respond. Other doctrinal requirements are derived from the 1987 DOD space policy, the Strategic Defense Initiative, and international space law. Finally, an assessment is made of future concepts and directions of US military space doctrine.

• Research Organization: University of Southern California, Los Angeles (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6367983
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290000* -- Energy Planning & Policy
350000 -- Arms Control-- (1987-)
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
MILITARY STRATEGY
NATIONAL DEFENSE
NATIONAL SECURITY
NORTH AMERICA
SECURITY
SPACE WEAPONS
USA