U.S. Space Force’s First Space Doctrine Signals Expansive Plans

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Space Policy Online by By Marcia Smith 8/10/2020

The U.S. Space Force released its first space doctrine today, the foundation upon which future doctrine will evolve and “serves as a key guidepost for the ethos and values of the nation’s newest armed service.”  The “capstone” doctrine, Spacepower, envisions an expansive role for Space Force far beyond Earth orbit.

Since the beginning of the Trump Administration, U.S. military leaders have been driving home their message that space no longer is a benign environment, but a warfighting domain just like air, land, sea and cyber. The reestablishment of U.S. Space Command and the creation of U.S. Space Force as a sixth military service emerged from that paradigm.  Space Force describes its central role as defending the space domain.

Eight months after President Trump signed the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act that founded Space Force as part of the Air Force, it now has its own doctrine, separate from the other military services.

The basic principles of Space Capstone Publication: Spacepower, are —

•   â€œThe United States desires a peaceful, stable, and accessible space domain. Strength and security in space enables freedom of action in other warfighting domains while contributing to international security and stability. The U.S. must adapt its national security space organizations, doctrine, and capabilities to deter and defeat aggression and protect national interests in space.”

•   â€œThe space domain is the area above the altitude at which atmospheric effects on airborne objects becomes negligible. The value of the space domain arises from an ability to conduct activities with unrivaled reach, persistence, endurance, and responsiveness, while affording legal overflight of any location on the earth. Because of these attributes, spacepower is inherently global.”

•   â€œMilitary space forces are the warfighters who protect, defend and project spacepower. They provide support, security, stability, and strategic effects by employing spacepower in, from, and to the space domain. This  necessitates close collaboration and cooperation with the U.S. Government, Allies, and partners and in accordance with domestic and international law.”

•   Space operations are not only global, but multi-domain — “terrestrial, link, or space.”

•   The U.S. Space Force values “organizational agility, innovation and boldness.”

More: https://spacepolicyonline.com/news/u-s-space-forces-first-space-doctrine-signals-expansive-plans/