Space has the unique capacity of being the 'unflankable' high ground. So tactically advantageous is the high ground position that has both line of site over and defensive domination of the battlefield that commanders have always sought it. Space control is not only tactically advantageous on the battlefield, it is strategically so in diplomacy. The entity in control of space has real-time presence and persistence over the globe. So strong is the fortified position at the top of the Earth's gravity well that should any nation seize it, it could effectively deny access to space to any other state that should attempt to put assets there. A simple argument could be made that the United States has an imperative to seize control of space on this point alone, to prevent a dangerous enemy from taking it, but such a case could be made for any state that desired domination over the world. My point is that not only is the United States the sole country with the capacity to seize space (currently), it is the only great power that has a history of benign intervention and overall disdain of empire that it is morally important it do so before any state bent on world domination and oppression can.

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Dolman, Everett C. Space Power and US Hegemony: Maintaining a Liberal World Order in the 21st Century. : , 2003. [ 3 quotes ] [ page 23-4 ]