Based on the study of military history for the past 50 years, and direct involvement with space warfare programs for the past 46 years, the author has developed general rules by which the next space war may be conducted. These concepts can lead to a full set of space warfare doctrinal principles, rules, escalation concepts, and termination criteria. This article offers a practical view of space war fighting outside the normal style of SSQ. The value of this piece comes from the author’s unusually rich experience in space and other military programs and is offered as a chance to spur reader thought and input. Since a space war has not yet occurred, all of these ideas are notional and unproven. Nonetheless, it is productive to better understand how a future great power space war might be conducted to ensure favorable outcomes by analyzing fundamentals of space warfare, rules for its conduct, space war escalation control, and criteria for space warfare termination.
In military history there are many examples of a military force that appeared superior on paper being defeated by a technically inferior force that is more flexible and with superior doctrinal concepts on how to conduct warfare. This concern can only be amplified by the remoteness of satellites that make it very difficult to verify what attacks are being set up, by whom, and to what purpose. In addition, this new region of warfare has yet to prove the correct doctrinal concepts for efficient execution of commander’s intent.
The United States should establish a new organization that will develop advanced outer space warfare theory, policy, doctrine, strategies, and tactics that support the new space force much like Project Air Force and the Arroyo Center. It should be the premier center for understanding the methods and techniques for conducting military operations in space. What is required is a new theory on space power in the same manner as classical air and sea power theory developed by Mahan, Douhet, and Mitchell or even Sun Tzu and Clausewitz. To be useful, these new concepts must influence the overall command and planning structures in the United States for space and terrestrial warfare planning staffs. Some suggested means for this new organization to accomplish this task.
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