Spacepower Ascendant: Space Development Theory and a New Space Strategy

Whether it is recognized or not, America is engaged in a space race with China. Unlike the previous between the USA and the USSR that resulted in multiple Moon landings, this is a new space race to expand and exploit the resources of the solar system. America initially embarked on this race in a similar fashion to the previous one, focusing on scientific exploration of deep space and satellite support to terrestrial military forces. The new space race demands a new mindset that integrates maritime commerce and naval warfare principles into space missions using a whole of government approach. The goal is national power projection into the space domain, both deep space itself and the planets and moons in it. The purpose of this book is to examine China’s theory and strategy in the current space race, extrapolate the current strategic trajectories, and then propose a new theory and strategy for space that will result in a continuous advantage for America, its allies, and all lawful and non-hostile users of space. Space Development Theory posits that new areas and domains go through a progression of exploration, expansion, exploitation, and exclusion. America’s space experience is almost exclusively in exploration with some expansion into Earth’s orbits while China is moving quickly to both expand and exploit resources on the Moon and beyond. America must embrace a new paradigm for space or live in a world dominated by China’s policies and global organization.