We are late to forming a Space Force. Russia has been pursuing space force variants since the 1980s—when Soviet leaders so vehemently opposed President Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). Perhaps of even greater importance, the Chinese Communist Party’s People’s Liberation Army has been pursuing a Space Force technological juggernaut responsible for space, cyber, electronic, and psychological warfare called the PLA Strategic Support Force. Read Full Story
“Oh! What a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!” Sir Walter Scott in his play told in 16th century verse, Marmion, published in 1808 Read Full Story
“ . . . entrenched bureaucrats and military leaders across the Department of Defense, especially in the Air Force, have been resisting the President’s directive in every way they can. And this December, although Congress voted to approve a Space Force, it did so while placing restrictions on it — such as that the Space Force be built with existing forces — that will render it largely useless in any future conflicts.” Retired USAF Lt. General Steven Kwast Read Full Story
Our 2019 New Year’s resolutions were to: 1) Complete our Lake Wylie Pilot Study and begin exporting its lessons for protecting the electric grid throughout South and North Carolina and report our progress to the rest of the nation; and 2) Press for a Brilliant Pebbles space based interceptor system to be included in President Trump’s Space Force. Status Report: Much Progress, but more to do! Read Full Story
“Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” ~ George Santayana Read Full Story
“Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” ~ George Santayana Read Full Story
President Trump’s bold leadership includes: 1) His March 26, 2019 Executive Order on Coordinating National Resilience to Electromagnetic Threats, which is intended to direct the “powers that be” to provide a “whole of government” response to this existential threat; and 2) even years earlier his proposed Space Force. But these goals have been opposed by many within his administration and in Congress where we approaching a moment of truth. Read Full Story
“So far, the only promising [boost phase] defense system concept has been a space based or satellite borne interceptor. Such a system requires many thousands of interceptors in space, but at a given instant only a small fraction will be in a position to attack. The economic feasibility of such systems is heavily dependent upon equipment reliability and upon enemy countermeasures.” ~ Harold N. Beveridge in his 1960 Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) ‘Project Defender” report Read Full Story
“There must be a pony in here somewhere!” This punch line from one of President Ronald Reagan’s famous humorous stories implied an important message then — and should encourage us to confront current discouraging situations … with good-natured determination, but determination nevertheless. Read Full Story
Claims that the President’s Space Force proposal is in trouble are much overstated. Indeed, what is unfolding has many precedents in history where success proceeds in a “one-step-backward” and “two-steps-forward” manner. Indeed, maybe we are watching the development of a supportive alignment for founding major steps toward the President’s stated Space Force objective — including a role for space based defenses. Read Full Story
We will be adding key policy briefs as we progress.