Space Weapons Earth Wars

by Bob Preston, Dana J. Johnson, Sean J.A. Edwards

Space weapons have been debated intensely in the past. The latest instance of prominent debate is over their use for ballistic missile defense. But this is not the only possible role for space weapons, and that fact raises a further concern: What if an adversary were to develop such weapons? Could one? Why would it? It is time for broader public discussion of the issues. Before deciding to acquire or forgo space weapons for terrestrial confict, the United States should fully discuss what such weapons can do, what they will cost, and the likely consequences of acquiring them. The authors of this report seek to aid this discussion not by arguing for or against space weapons but by describing their attributes, classifying and comparing them, and explaining how each might be used. The authors also explore how a nation might decide to acquire such weapons and how other nations might react.

228 pages, Paperback

First published January 25, 2002

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

A magesterial review of both the strategic and supportive technical details of space-based weapon systems and possible weapons systems and how such could be employed in various conflicts. Outside of classified materials, this is probably the best book on its topic, however while technical in places it omits a lot of additional, non-classified, information that could be useful. To be fully realistic, it should focus more on the recon/spy satellite applications of space-based technology in warfighting over space-based weapons as the former is more apt for actual use than the latter by far. Still, a very good book on this topic.