The technology developed to project power from outer space can also be used to defend the Earth from extraterrestrial threats such as asteroids or aliens.
Keywords: Asteroid Defense.
Can you improve on this argument text? Help develop this argument by editing and adding more information or click on one of the edit links below to add a counter, supporting, or related argument.
You can help improve this argument by adding a supporting argument.
You can help improve this argument by adding a counterargument.
You can help improve this argument by adding a related argument.
Strategically, though not quite geographically, space is just another environment for conflict. The caveat with respect to geographical parallels is the evident difference in scale--the "quantity that becomes quality"--between the Earth and its atmosphere and the remainder of the universe ( i.e., space). Notwithstanding the vast asymmetry between the terrestrial geographical environments and space, it is not entirely obvious that "the stars" or "the heavens" have strategic significance for contemporary defense planners. Threats originating from far beyond the Earth-Moon system may appear from beyond our solar system or even from beyond our galaxy. If they do, we will be fortunate if we are able even to note the approach of such threats, let alone be equipped to see them at launch. In the long run, the very long run indeed, the security of the human race most likely will depend upon its space power. ( More ... ) Gray, Colin S. "Space Power and the Revolution in Military Affairs: A Glass Half Full?." Air & Space Power Journal. XIII, No. 3 (Fall 1999). [ 2 quotes ]
Space power and space warfare are coming. The only issues are how and when. This uncompromising prediction could be upset only in the unlikely circumstance that a truly political peace broke out and was sustained, on Earth. Even in that improbable event, still one might be anxious about the kind of futures signaled in the scenarios of the movies Independence Day and Starship Troopers. Far-fetched, even comic such movies may well be, but they can act as a reminder that we may be at peace with ourselves. But would the universe be at peace with us? ( More ... ) Gray, Colin S. "Space Power and the Revolution in Military Affairs: A Glass Half Full?." Air & Space Power Journal. XIII, No. 3 (Fall 1999). [ 2 quotes ]
Clementine 2 was originally scheduled for launch in 1998. It would have been the first mission specifically intended to study asteroids from an impact mitigation perspective. As pointed out earlier, targeting an asteroid involves many of the same technical issues as targeting a satellite. The space probe was to be built by the Air Force, and at one point was provided $120 million toward achieving its goals, and fit with instrument-packed three-foot-long missiles. Those missiles were to be released into the path of two asteroids selected by NASA: 1986JK, a halfmile wide chunk of rock to be encountered in May 2000; and Toutatis, an asteroid about two miles across, to be intercepted about five months later. The instrumented missiles would first take close-up pictures and make scientific measurements before slamming into their targets. The idea was to provide scientists with information about strength and make-up of the objects, specifically vital to understanding how to counter a potential Earth-impact, as well as to gain information on targeting space objects generally. ( More ... ) Johnson-Freese, Joan. The Viability Of U.S. Antisatellite Policy: Moving Toward Space Control. USAF Academy, CO: USAF Institute for National Security Studies, January 2000. [ 1 reference ] [ page 21 ]
In the event of a massive strike from space, the resultant apocalyptic disasters would render such efforts as fruitless as rearranging the deck chairs while the Titanic sinks. The only meaningful response to a massive strike is some form of direct intervention. Direct intervention may entail deflection or destruction of the approaching space object to prevent or mitigate any impact with Earth. The means for achieving this fall partially within the realm of existing military capabilities, and partially within the ambit of technologies superficially similar to some proposed/experimental aspects of the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). ( More ... ) Kunich, John C. "Planetary Defense: The Legality of Global Survival." Air Force Law Review. Vol. 41 (1997): 119-160. [ 1 reference ] [ page 128 ]
The means to create effective NEO defense systems are partially within the realm of existing military capabilities but efforts need to continue along the lines of the now politically incorrect Strategic Defense Initiative. The Strategic Defense Initiative was an extremely sensitive program, which initiated a great deal of heated debate well before the end of the Cold War. However, those efforts toward developing modern and more capable satellite (or NEO) detection systems, could be reinvigorated on a global basis, making it a system directed outward and, consequently, more palatable to the international community. As regards mitigation/detection, intercontinental ballistic missiles or submarine launched counterparts could provide for destruction of any NEO's until newer and better (maybe non-nuclear) means of defense are developed. However, the mere existence of such a nuclear arsenal could constitute a danger to human life that may be much greater than the threat it is intended to mitigate. This issue also needs to be researched and repeatedly reassessed. Sweet, Kenneth. "Planetary Preservation: The Need for Legal Provision." Space Policy. Vol. 15 (1999): 223-231. [ 1 reference ] [ page 224 ]
On 7 February 2000, Worden ignited a minor firestorm within the NEO community when he submitted an essay proposing DoD leadership of international efforts to detect, study and (if necessary) defend against NEOs to the Cambridge-Conference Network electronic newsgroup.v Not meant as an official policy statement of the U.S government or the Department of the Air Force, Worden’s personal view was that while identification of 1 km asteroids seemed to be progressing at a sufficiently rapid (indeed, accelerating) pace, governments and astronomers were neglecting the 100 meter or "Tunguska Class" objects that strike up to several times per century. Worden couched the challenge in terms of space situational awareness, noting that the U.S. space community, particularly the DoD and NASA, are beginning to understand the importance of identifying and tracking virtually everything in Earth orbit in order to protect peaceful operations there, now and in the future. The ground and space-based tools used to achieve this close-range awareness would also serve to greatly improve detection of NEOs much smaller than mentioned by either Spaceguard or Shoemaker, but still capable of causing considerable death and destruction on Earth. France, Martin E.B. "Planetary Defense: Eliminating the Giggle Factor." Air & Space Power Journal. (August 2000). [ 1 reference ]