Space Weapons, Earth Wars [Paperback]

Sean Edwards (Author), Bob Preston (Author), Dana J. Johnson (Author), Jennifer Gross (Author), Michael Miller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 13, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0833029371 | ISBN-13: 978-0833029379

Space weapons have been debated intensely in the past. The latest instance of prominent debate is over their use for ballistic missile defense. But this is not the only possible role for space weapons, and that fact raises a further concern: What if an adversary were to develop such weapons? Could one? Why would it? It is time for broader public discussion of the issues. Before deciding to acquire or forgo space weapons for terrestrial confict, the United States should fully discuss what such weapons can do, what they will cost, and the likely consequences of acquiring them. The authors of this report seek to aid this discussion not by arguing for or against space weapons but by describing their attributes, classifying and comparing them, and explaining how each might be used. The authors also explore how a nation might decide to acquire such weapons and how other nations might react.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This book is recommended to those wishing to be informed about space weapons. I am not aware of any other book that is as comprehensive. Whether you are for or against space weapons this book provides the material upon which to base your arguments. If you are interested in the military use of space or in national security policy, this is a book for you.
Andrew M. Sessler

From the Publisher

Since at least the era of Thomas D. White as Air Force Chief of Staff,the Air Force has espoused the full use of the medium of space fornational security. Its 1997 vision document, Global Engagement: AVision for the 21st Century, made clear thatthe Air Force recognizes that any further 1 use of space will be drivenby national policy, international events, . . . and threats. . . . How-ever,the nation will expect the Air Force to be prepared to defendU.S. interests in space when necessary.Since then, the topic of full exploitation of space for national securityhas become prominent in current congressional interest. A nationaldebate on space weapons seems near.In preparation for that debate, this report is intended to provide acommon vocabulary and common expectations of the possibility,utility, legalities, and limitations of using space weapons in terrestrialconflicts. This report defines and classifies these weapons, describestheir different attributes, and explains how they might be used. Itexplores ways in which the United States and other countries coulddecide to acquire such weapons. It also explores the ways they couldbe acquired.The study was sponsored by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Pro-grams(AF/XP). The result should be of interest to a wide audience______________1 Beyond intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; warning; position location;weapons guidance; communications; and environmental monitoring.interested in the military use of space and national security spacepolicy.Project AIR FORCEProject AIR FORCE, a division of RAND, is the Air Force federallyfunded research and development center (FFRDC) for studies andanalysis. It provides the Air Force with independent analyses of pol-icyalternatives affecting the development, employment, combatreadiness, and support of current and future aerospace forces.Research is performed in four programs: Aerospace Force Develop-ment;Manpower, Personnel, and Training; Resource Management;and Strategy and Doctrine.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 205 pages
• Publisher: Rand Publishing (February 13, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0833029371
• ISBN-13: 978-0833029379
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,210,328 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)