The US Now Views Space As A "Warfighting Domain"

As more and more country get involved in space , the risk of conflict increment . For that reasonableness , the US Air Force Space Command is already consider quad as a potential battleground .

“ Space is a warfighting field just like air , state , and ocean , ” he said , reportedSpace News .

To get up for any conflicts in space , Raymond said they had acquire a concept of mental process ( CONOPS ) for space . He did n’t delve into specific too much , but said the focal point was on “ command - and - control elements ” and “ integrated space cognizance and warning . ” presumptively , the latter involves tracking orbiter and whatnot for any likely tampering .

AWhite House reportfrom back in May contain some further selective information . In that , Raymond said the US has enjoyed “ unimpeded exemption of action in the space domain of a function ” for ten . However , he said this was “ a condition we no longer savour today . ”

“ At nowadays , our potential opponent realise the competitive advantage we derive from space and catch our trust on space as a critical exposure they can exploit , ” he said . “ [ I]n the not too distant future , close - peer competitor will have the power to hold every US space asset in every orbital regime at risk . ”

The heading is to forbid warfare , Raymond noted , rather than really start a conflict . To do so , Space Command planned to chase objects in orbit with high accuracy .

They also desire to maintain access to infinite , noting that they were “ excited ” about adding SpaceX as a launch provider , alongside the United Launch Alliance ( ULA ) . Of grandness will be keep communication satellites operational in orbit , in addition to GPS satellites , by conducting regular launch .

One area that ’s specially useful is monitoring missile launches from space , something that ’s pretty topical now that tensions with North Korea arehotting up . The Space Based Infrared System Geosynchronous Earth Orbit ( SBIRS GEO ) infinite fomite , set in motion on January 20 this class , will work alongside survive similar satellite .

While we belike do n’t have to worry about all out space war just yet , this report foreground some of thepreparationsthe US is already taking just in suit the worst comes to the worst . The armed forces has always had an interest in space , of course . But as blank becomes more accessible , they seem to be wary of what the future might hold .

“ It is a national imperative that we pose ourselves to discourage any conflict that would exsert to space , and if deterrence were to fail that we fight and win , ” say Raymond .