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Aerospace

Since our first days as an independent organization, RAND has had researchers exploring ways to improve spacecraft. Today, this work continues as analysts examine issues related to communications satellites and private space industry.

Blog
Arming Teachers, F-16s in Ukraine, Commercial Spaceflight: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on how teachers feel about arming teachers, what F-16s will (and won't) do for Ukraine, the need to regulate commercial spaceflight, and more.
Jun 2, 2023
Dissertation
Coherence to Choices: Informing Decisions on Public-Private Partnerships in the Space Sector
Presents a comprehensive set of research on the topic of space public-private partnerships to move forward from the rudimentary discourse to critical discussions and analytical investigations.
May 3, 2023
Report
The Resilience Assessment Framework: Assessing Commercial Contributions to U.S. Space Force Mission Resilience
This report describes the resilience assessment framework that RAND Project AIR FORCE developed to assess the potential impact of integrating select commercial space services on U.S. Space Force mission performance.
Apr 27, 2023
Testimony
U.S.-China Aviation Competition
The United States leads in aviation capability and technology. However, as of early 2023, China continues to close the gap. What should Congress take into account when considering how to maintain U.S. competitive advantages in aviation?
Apr 13, 2023
Dissertation
The Development of In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing Technology: Drivers, Challenges, and Policy Implications
Examines the challenges and enablers associated with developing infrastructure to support an in-space economy.
Apr 7, 2023
Report
Assessing the Readiness for Human Commercial Spaceflight Safety Regulations
What is the progress of the commercial space industry in adopting voluntary standards for participant safety, and towards meeting key metrics that would indicate readiness for regulation?
Apr 3, 2023
Report
Assessing the Prospects for Great Power Cooperation in the Global Commons
This report, part of a four-part series, describes the potential for U.S. cooperation with China or Russia on global commons issues, including freedom of access to space, countering violent extremist organizations, and promoting global stability.
Feb 20, 2023
Report
First Mover Typology for the Space Domain: Building a Foundation for Future Analysis
The authors offer a categorization and nuanced views of first moves in military strategy as a basis for understanding and further analysis of first mover advantage in the space domain.
Jan 25, 2023
Report
Cross-Domain Lessons for Space Traffic Management: An Analysis of Air and Maritime Treaty Governance Mechanisms
In this report, the authors examine the treaty-based governance systems from both the air and maritime domains as potential models for the development of an international space traffic management system.
Jan 25, 2023
Periodical
RAND Review: January-February 2023
This issue explores the inadequacies of the current system of space governance; China's presence in the Arctic; abortion in the U.S. post-Dobbs; and the security and technology challenges related to Taiwan's domination of the microchip industry.
Jan 6, 2023
Report
Ensuring Mission Assurance While Conducting Rapid Space Acquisition
As the U.S. Space Force pursues rapid acquisition of warfighting capabilities, a key question is whether the streamlining techniques being used to get new space systems to operators quickly create mission assurance vulnerabilities.
Dec 15, 2022
Tool
Mapping Chinese and Russian Military and Security Exports to Africa
Military weapons exports and private military and security contractors are important tools for projecting a country's influence around the world. How have China and Russia employed these tools across Africa in recent years?
Dec 13, 2022
Multimedia
The Future of Space Cooperation Between the U.S. and Japan
Over two days in March 2022, experts from the United States and Japan presented their vision for the future of space science and exploration, cooperation between the U.S. and Japan, and the future space economy.
Dec 7, 2022
Commentary
Why Not Space Mirrors?
Space mirrors can reflect solar radiation away from Earth, potentially helping to address the effects of climate change. But decisionmakers need more information about this technology to determine if it's a viable option.
Oct 19, 2022
Blog
Legalizing Cannabis, the Russian Nuclear Threat, Digital Offshoring: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on cannabis legalization, the Russian nuclear threat, the effects of digital offshoring, and more.
Oct 14, 2022
Report
How Do China and Russia Perceive U.S. Military Activities in Space?
Chinese and Russian primary sources reflect a perception that U.S. space activities are threatening and demonstrate hostile intent. At the same time, they characterize their own, similar actions as nonthreatening. Washington, Beijing, and Moscow appear to be caught in an action-reaction cycle that perpetuates justifications for continued military action in space.
Oct 11, 2022
Blog
Microchips, Ukraine, Outer Space: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on how safeguarding Taiwan is the answer to America's microchip problem, a moment of clarity in Ukraine, new rules in space, and more.
Oct 7, 2022
Brochure
Launching Into the Future: 75 Years of Excellence in Space Research at RAND
RAND is proud to celebrate 75 years of excellence in space research and analysis. Here, we spotlight a small number of reports to highlight the range of our contributions and celebrate our commitment to making a difference for decades to come.
Sep 30, 2022
Blog
Veterans Health Care, Media Literacy, Sleep Retreats: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on the challenges of VA community care, the importance of improving middle schoolers' media literacy skills, tips to improve sleep, and more.
Sep 9, 2022
Commercial Book
Practical Geolocation for Electronic Warfare Using MATLAB
This text explores the practical realities that arise from the employment of geolocation for electronic warfare in real-world systems.
Sep 2, 2022

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Researcher Spotlight

Bruce McClintock

Lead, Space Enterprise Initiative

Bruce McClintock is lead of the RAND Space Enterprise Initiative and a senior policy researcher at the RAND Corporation. The RAND Space Enterprise Initiative is a virtual center that provides a focal point for all RAND space-related research for the U.S. government and U.S. allies. McClintock…
Eddie Lopez III

Assistant Policy Researcher, RAND

Edward López III is a Ph.D. student in the Technology Applications and Implications stream at the Pardee RAND Graduate School and an assistant policy researcher at RAND. His research interests include social media, artificial intelligence, systemic racism, space, health, and global climate change.

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