During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union maintained nuclear forces on hair trigger alert, ready to be fired within minutes of an order to launch. One of the likely consequences of seeking a space dominance posture would be to elevate this hair trigger posture into space. Space weapons would beget space mines; ASATs would beget more ASATs. The side that shoots first in space would cross a critical threshold in the history of combat, but it would not alter the dynamics of asymmetric warfare. If the United States carries out preemptive strikes in space, it would still expect retaliation in unconventional ways. And if the weaker party carries out a surprise attack in space, it would still expect a devastating response. Nonetheless, both potential adversaries would perceive more value in shooting first than in asking questions later.

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Katz-Hyman, Michael and Michael Krepon. Assurance or Space Dominance? The Case Against Weaponizing Space. Washington, D.C.: Henry L. Stimson Center, April 2003. [ 16 quotes ] [ page 126 ]