Brian Weeden Publishes New Analysis of the U.S. Strategy for a Contested Space Environment

Thursday, January 8, 2015

SWF Technical Advisor Brian Weeden has published a new article that traces the evolution of U.S. military space doctrine and the changes in the space domain that led to the development of the 2011 National Security Space Strategy (NSSS). The strategy includes multiple elements for developing international norms of behavior, enhancing commercial and allied cooperation, increasing resilience and deterring and defeating attacks in order to address what the U.S. as deemed a more "congested, competitive, and contested space environment."

Mr. Weeden's article examines new evidence suggesting that the implementation of the NSSS may be focusing primarily on deterring and defeating attacks, including the development of “active defenses” and new offensive counterspace systems. He argues that while there may be a valid role for these capabilities, much depends on the details of how they are pursued, and how they will support other elements of the strategy. More importantly, he points out that there is also the larger question of whether a more aggressive approach is in the best interest of all of America’s space organizations, including the burgeoning commercial space sector, as well as its international partners and allies.

You can read the article here.