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June 20, 2005 :: The Space Review :: Analysis

Taylor Dinerman has another fine article on the subject of the weaponization of space in The Space Review. Besides recalling the physical principles and strategic facts which make space a useful base of operations, and the fact that America is already very dependent upon vulnerable space-based satellites, Dinerman also addresses the charged politics behind those so violently opposed to the use of space for the defense of America. A brief excerpt:

The nature of space technology, and of space itself, as the ultimate high ground, means that there will be weapons, and future battles, outside Earth’s atmosphere. No matter what actually happens, it is almost certain that some will find a way to blame America. Therefore, any decision regarding the building of any space warfare system should be made strictly on the basis of military utility. Since no argument or foreign threat will likely change the minds of those who are against space weaponization, any change in US space policy, no matter how mild or hedged with caveats, will be portrayed as opening the doors of hell. Rather, under current circumstances, President Bush should authorize the pursuit of more and better space assets, including weapons, and Donald Rumsfeld should be pushing the Air Force to radically improve the way it designs and builds all its space systems.

After all, why not fight wars in space? There’s lots of room there and not a lot of civilians to get in the way.

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