US Department Of The Space Force: A Necessary Evolution

This prescient essay, originally published as a master's thesis in 2012, makes the case for establishing a U.S. national Space Force. As the author explains in the Abstract: In 2008, the Independent Assessment Panel on the Organization and Management of National Security Space (NSS) reported to Congress that the military and intelligence space programs are fragmented, disorganized, inefficient, and ineffective. Without strong leadership and a unifying vision, the United State (US) space enterprise is losing its advantage over competing nations. The nation must address this erosion of capability with vigor in the near term. Inaction threatens US national interests. The US should create a separate military Department of the Space Force. This work begins with a summary of the current strategic space environment, examines the fragmented state of the existing space enterprise, and establishes a framework for evaluating NSS. Having established the current NSS environment, it examines the genesis of the US Air Force (USAF). Air and airpower possess a set of specific characteristics that justify a distinct military service. This work then evaluates space and spacepower using the same series of attributes that validate a separate Air Force. Based on these attributes, the unique characteristics of space and space forces require the creation of a new Space Force. This work offers an organizational evolution for the current US space enterprise to address the significant issues that threaten the nation's ability to achieve national objectives. This necessary evolution is a Department of the Space Force. This reproduction is printed with full color interior and a handsome, durable case laminate matte exterior. An essential reference document for those interested in the once-in-generations creation of a new branch of the armed services.