The U.S. economy and military depend on the security of existing space assets.
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There is a common theme running through this and other recent space policy studies. In the words of the commission report, "the security and economic well being of the United States and its allies and friends depends on the nation's ability to operate successfully in space." This is clearly a valid conclusion, but one that has seemingly not yet made much of an impression on the public's consciousness. The availability of the many services dependent on space systems appears to be taken for granted by the public. However, if space capabilities were denied to the U.S. military, it would be impossible to carry out a modern military operation, particularly one distant from the United States. ( More ... ) Logsdon, John M. "Just Say Wait to Space Power." Issues in Science and Technology. Vol. 17, No. 3 (Spring 2001). [ 4 quotes ]
The United States is a spacefaring nation––it operates some 200 military and civilian satellites with a combined value of $100 billion. As impressive as these statistics appear, they do not reflect the additional billions of dollars and millions of American lives influenced every day by space communication, navigation, weather, environmental, and national security satellites. Space is big business and is inseparable from U.S. economic strength. It attracts international attention and therefore diplomatic power. It is absolutely crucial to American military operations. ( More ... ) Ziegler, David W. Safe Heavens: Military Strategy and Space Sanctuary Thought. Maxwell AFB, AL: USAF Air University, June 1997. [ 9 quotes ] [ page 7 ]
Satellite-based sensors can see much larger areas of the Earth than sensors closer to the Earth can see. This allows large-scale simultaneous observation of the Earth's surface and atmosphere, and communication between and simultaneous broadcast to large parts of the Earth. Because the atmosphere blocks transmission of many types of electromagnetic waves, some kinds of astronomical observations can only be made from space. Moreover, space is much better suited to some types of operations than to others. Electromagnetic signals (light and radio waves) can be transmitted over large distances almost instantaneously and with very little energy cost. Space therefore favors activities that entail sending and receiving electromagnetic signals over activities that involve transporting large amounts of mass from the Earth into space or that involve significant maneuvering in space, which can require a large mass of propellant. As a result, the applications for which space basing is uniquely well suited include: large-scale environmental monitoring of, for example, atmospheric behavior, climate change, and deforestation large-scale weather monitoring for weather forecasting astronomy global communication, broadcast, and data transfer highly accurate navigation and position determination reconnaissance on a global or large-scale basis detection on a global basis of missile launches, to provide early warning of attacks and information about the missile testing programs of nations Some of these tasks could, as discussed later, be accomplished by ground- and air-based alternatives, if urgently needed, albeit on a regional rather than global basis. ( More ... ) Wright, David, Laura Grego et al. Physics of Space Security. Washington, D.C.: Union of Concerned Scientists, May 2005. [ 5 quotes ] [ page 6-7 ]
In the simplest terms, America needs Space for its National Security and the survival of our way of life. We need space just as we need land, air, and sea forces. Removing one of those components of our National Security would render us incapable of defending the Nation. Removing space from the equation not only cripples our land, air and sea forces but it would have catastrophic consequences to our entire economy. In 1998, we saw firsthand what the loss of a satellite could do to our economy and way of life. Galaxy IV lost its Earth orientation, wiping out pager traffic for 40 million pagers in the US, halting credit card transactions and ATM machines, and knocking TV and radio stations off the air. Space is beyond a joint warfighting catalyst; it is a universal necessity and must be protected as such. It is important though, to recognize there are many different perspectives on the relevance of space. ( More ... ) Lord, Lance W. "Why America Needs Space: The Prerequisites for Success." High Frontier Journal. Vol. 2, No. 1 (September 2005): 2-3. [ 2 quotes ] [ page 2 ]
No nation relies on space more than the United States -- none is even close -- and its reliance grows daily. A widespread loss of space capabilities would prove disastrous for American military security and civilian welfare. America's economy would collapse, bringing the rest of the world down with it. Its military would be obliged to hunker down in a defensive crouch while it prepared to withdraw from dozens of then-untenable foreign deployments. To prevent such disasters from occurring, the United States military -- in particular the United States Air Force—is charged with protecting space capabilities from harm and ensuring reliable space operations for the foreseeable future. As a martial organization, the Air Force naturally looks to military means to achieve these desired ends. And so it should. Dolman, Everett C. "U.S. Military Transformation and Weapons in Space." SAIS Review. XXVI, No. 1 (Winter-Spring 2006): 163-174. [ 10 quotes ] [ page 163 ]
National economic and commercial interrelationships thrive on the flow of invisible ones and zeros through space channels, so that timely, agile intercontinental trade is now taken for granted. U.S. and coalition forces routinely leverage earth-circling platforms to enhance military capabilities: the Global Positioning System for improved navigation and precision timing, reconnaissance and early warning sensors, and high-bandwidth communications. Space, moreover, is an open arena, a global commons increasingly used by many countries for military purposes. The proliferation of space technologies offers foreign governments and nonstate entities unparalleled opportunities to enhance diplomatic and military influence over the U.S. and strike with strategic effect. Potential enemies of the United States today have improved "vision" over the U.S. homeland and battlefield activities, a better sense of direction and geographic position, and an improved ability to mobilize forces and coordinate activities. With battle space now reaching up to at least 22,000 miles above the Earth - the orbital altitudes for early warning and communications satellites - protecting ourselves from future attacks will depend mightily on space power. Lambakis, Steven. "Missile Defense From Space." Policy Review. No. 141 (February and March 2007). [ 8 quotes ]