War in Space: The Science and Technology Behind Our Next Theater of Conflict (Springer Praxis Books)

Presents vivid scenarios of what would occur in the event of a space attackProvides a historical perspective of aggression in outer space while keeping the focus on the technology of outer space satellites and other space weaponsDiscusses the required technologies for both offense and defense in space warsInvestigates the exploration and usage of outer space resourcesWith the recent influx of spaceflight and satellite launches, the region of outer space has become saturated with vital technology used for communication and surveillance and the functioning of business and government. But what would happen if these capabilities were disrupted or even destroyed? How would we react if faced with a full-scale blackout of satellite communications? What can and has happened following the destruction of a satellite? In the short term, the aftermath would send thousands of fragments orbiting Earth as space debris. In the longer term, the ramifications of such an event on Earth and in space would be alarming, to say the least. This book takes a look at such crippling scenarios and how countries around the world might respond in their wake. It describes the aggressive actions that nations could take and the technologies that could be leveraged to gain power and control over assets, as well as to initiate war in the theater of outer space. The ways that a country's vital capabilities could be disarmed in such a setting are investigated. In addition, the book discusses our past and present political climate, including which countries currently have these abilities and who the aggressive players already are. Finally, it addresses promising research and space technology that could be used to protect us from those interested in destroying the world's vital systems. Dedication 5 Preface 6 Acknowledgments 8 Contents 9 1: Life Without Satellites 10 Introduction 10 A Fictional Timeline of Satellite Disruption 11 Noon: Any Day in the Future 11 4:00 pm 11 GPS and Time Signals 12 8:00 pm 14 10:00 pm 14 Midnight 15 Space Warfare: Timing Is Everything 15 Global Networks 17 How GPS Could Be Disrupted 18 Reflections 20 2: Space as the Next Theater of War 21 Introduction 21 Outer Space as a Possible Theater of War 22 China 27 Russia 30 The United States 37 Reflections 40 3: The Environment of Space as a Theater of War 42 Introduction 42 The Outer Space Environment 43 The Costs and Challenges of Accessing Outer Space 44 The Effects of the Outer Space Environment on Spacecraft 45 Near-Vacuum Effects 46 Atomic Oxygen Erosion 46 Radiation 47 Plasma 53 Temperature Extremes 53 Reflections 54 4: Space Debris as a Weapon 55 Introduction 55 The Dynamics of Orbital Debris Collisions 56 Enter the CubeSats and Small Sats 66 Constellations of Satellites 67 Space Bounty 68 Reflections 69 5: A Summary of the US Space Program and Its Relationship to the Military 70 Introduction 70 The Space Race: The Early History of Military Use of Space 71 Post-Apollo Space Efforts 77 Space Stations 80 The US Air Force vs. NASA 81 Skylab 82 The Space Shuttle 84 The Spacelab Module 86 The Military Influence on Space Shuttle Operations 88 The International Space Station 90 Reflections 94 6: Who Controls Space and How 96 Introduction 96 The History of Space Law 97 Commercial Human Spaceflight 104 Space Debris 106 Mining Rights 107 Reflections 114 7: The Cold War and Missile Defense 116 Introduction 116 The Concept of Anti-Missile Defense 117 Cold War and DSP Missile Defense Technology 120 The Strategic Defense Initiative 122 SDI Scientific Concepts 125 A Timeline of Missile Defense Through SDI 128 1957 128 1961 128 1972 128 1983 128 1986 129 1989 129 1991 129 1993 129 Reflections 129 8: Post-SDI Missile Defense 130 Introduction 130 Post-SDI Missile Defense 131 Components of Today’s US Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) 134 Potential New Technologies and Looking Forward 136 A Timeline of Missile Defense Post-SDI 137 1999 137 2001 137 2002 137 2004–2005 137 2006–2007 137 2010 138 2012 138 2013 138 2014 138 2016 138 2017 139 2018 139 Reflections 139 9: Satellite Technology 140 Introduction 140 Satellite History and Orbits 141 Satellite Technology 147 Cellular Communication Technology 148 Satellite Communication Technology 150 Military Satellite Technology 152 Frequencies 154 Satellite Communication Technology and Military Use 155 Quantum Computing for the Future 160 Remote Sensing Technology 162 Reflections 164 10: Preventing a War in Space 166 Introduction 166 Dependence on Space Assets 167 Preventing a War in Space 169 Strategies to Deter Attacks 171 Reflections 172 Appendix A: United Nations Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (1967) 174 Article I 175 Article II 175 Article III 175 Article IV 176 Article V 176 Article VI 176 Article VII 177 Article VIII 177 Article IX 177 Article X 178 Article XI 178 Article XII 178 Article XIII 178 Article XIV 179 Article XV 179 Article XVI 180 Article XVII 180 Appendix B: Additional Resources for Space Warfare Topics 181 Chapter 1: Life Without Satellites 181 Chapter 2: Space as the Next Theater of War 181 Chapter 3: The Environment of Space as a Theater of War 182 Chapter 4: Space Debris as a Weapon 182 Chapter 5: A Summary of the US Space Program and Its Relationship to the Military 182 Chapter 6: Who Controls Space and How 183 Chapter 7: The Cold War and Missile Defense 183 Chapter 8: Post-SDI Missile Defense 183 Chapter 9: Satellite Technology 183 Chapter 10: Preventing a War in Space 184 Appendix C: Space Defense Terms and Programs and Their Historical Context 185 Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Systems 185 Historical Context 185 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty (1972–2002) 187 Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) 187 Historical Context 187 Ballistic Missile Early Warning System (BMEWS) 188 Historical Context 188 Boost Surveillance and Tracking System (BSTS) 189 Historical Context 189 Brilliant Pebbles (BP) 190 Historical Context 190 Defense Support Program (DSP) 190 Historical Context 191 Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV) 191 Historical Context 192 Ground-Based Mid-course Defense (GMD) 192 Joint Space Operations Center (JSpOC) 192 The Landsat (Earth Resources Technology Satellite) Program 193 Historical Context 193 Missile Defense Alarm System (MIDAS) 193 Historical Context 193 Outer Space Treaty 194 Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) 195 Historical Context 195 The Space Resource Exploration and Utilization Act 195 Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) 196 Historical Context 196 The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) 197 Historical Context 197 Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) 197 Appendix D: Timeline of Missile Defense 198 Index 210 | 29 MB As spaceflight and satellite launches occur more and more often, the region of outer space has become populated by vital technology used for communication and surveillance and the functioning of business and government. But what would happen if these capabilities were disrupted or even destroyed? How would we react if faced with a full-scale blackout of satellite communications? What can and has happened following the destruction of a satellite? Immediately, the aftermath would send thousands of fragments orbiting Earth as space debris. In the longer term, the ramifications of such an event on Earth and in space would be alarming, to say the least. This book takes a look at such crippling scenarios, and how countries around the world might respond in their wake. It describes the aggressive actions that nations could take, and the technologies that could be leveraged to gain power and control over assets as well as to initiate war in the theater of outer space. The ways that a country's vital capabilities could be disarmed in such a setting are investigated. In addition, the book discusses our past and present political climate, including which countries currently have these abilities and who the aggressive players already are. Finally, it addresses promising research and space technology that could be used to protect Earth from those interested in destroying a country's vital systems. Front Matter ....Pages i-ix Life Without Satellites (Linda Dawson)....Pages 1-11 Space as the Next Theater of War (Linda Dawson)....Pages 12-32 The Environment of Space as a Theater of War (Linda Dawson)....Pages 33-45 Space Debris as a Weapon (Linda Dawson)....Pages 46-60 A Summary of the US Space Program and Its Relationship to the Military (Linda Dawson)....Pages 61-86 Who Controls Space and How (Linda Dawson)....Pages 87-106 The Cold War and Missile Defense (Linda Dawson)....Pages 107-120 Post-SDI Missile Defense (Linda Dawson)....Pages 121-130 Satellite Technology (Linda Dawson)....Pages 131-156 Preventing a War in Space (Linda Dawson)....Pages 157-164 Back Matter ....Pages 165-206