Space Sanctuary. A Viable National Strategy

Abstract : Space-sanctuary advocates will appreciate what follows as a comprehensive summary of their position; likewise, space-weaponization advocates will have to address these issues if their belief (that American preemptive weaponization of space best serves this nation) is to remain on firm ground. The following summary of the case against space weaponization proceeds from the historical trend of US nuclear and space policy to consider domestic and international political concerns. It then addresses the space-weaponization is sue by briefly examining adversarial potential (the threat), technological limitations, financial trade-offs, practical considerations of military strategy, and the emotional appeal of global security and wellbeing. This article is not meant to be an in depth study of each facet of the debate; rather, it is a terse summary of the space-sanctuary argument aimed at opening the debate.