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Military Satellites

Commentary

Space Safety Coordination: A Norm for All Nations

As space becomes more congested with satellites, the need for every nation to actively participate in the space safety coordination system grows. Most spacefaring countries participate, but a few countries do not—notably, Russia and China. That creates greater potential for collisions and hazards from debris.

Apr 16, 2019
Essay

70 Years of Innovation at RAND

Seventy years ago, a group of researchers established the independent RAND Corporation. From the first satellite design, to helping ensure GPS as a public good, to laying the groundwork for the internet, RAND has been making a difference ever since.

May 9, 2018
Blog

Mert Davies: All-Star Pioneer of the Cosmos

Merton Davies spent his early years using satellite imagery to spy on terrestrial targets. His work led to the first successful reconnaissance satellite, Corona. Later, he used deep-space photographs to map the planets in our solar system.

Jan 5, 2018
Report

Report

The U.S.-Japan Alliance and Deterring Gray Zone Coercion in the Maritime, Cyber, and Space Domains

China is trying to change the status quo in the Indo-Pacific through gray zone coercion -- actions below the threshold that would trigger a military response. This report focuses on deterring such coercion in the maritime, cyber, and space domains.

Nov 20, 2017
Report

Report

The Creation of the PLA Strategic Support Force and Its Implications for Chinese Military Space Operations

This report explores the missions and organization of China's Strategic Support Force, created in 2015 to develop and employ space capabilities, in particular launch and operation of satellites to provide C4ISR capabilities for joint operations.

Nov 10, 2017
Report

Innovation in the United States Air Force

An assessment of historical cases of Air Force innovation — or apparent failure to innovate — sheds light on whether the service is sufficiently innovative today and what can be done to make it more innovative for the future.

May 13, 2016
Report

Past Problems and Future Challenges in the Acquisition of Military Space Systems

As Department of Defense plans for the next-generation space systems in an increasingly challenging fiscal and security environment, it is important to apply lessons learned from past space acquisition, which had experienced many difficulties.

Mar 30, 2015
Commentary

What if Distracted Driving Was Safe?

According to consumer research, the ability to consume media, write an email, or even sleep during transport is a key selling point for self-driving cars, which could be available in the near future. Autonomous vehicle technology could also produce a wide range of public benefits.

Jul 1, 2014
Report

Report

Evaluation of National Institute of Justice–Funded Geospatial Software Tools: Technical and Utility Assessments to Improve Tool Development, Dissemination, and Usage

A geospatial software tool-evaluation study assessed 14 recent tool developments funded by the National Institute of Justice. The study integrates input from tool developers and tool users with RAND's independent tool assessments.

Apr 3, 2014
Commentary

Satellites for Rent

Reports earlier this year that the U.S. Department of Defense leased a Chinese satellite to support military operations in Africa sparked concern that the arrangement could compromise control over U.S. military communications, or, worse, allow Chinese intelligence gatherers access to privileged military data.

Nov 8, 2013
Journal Article

Journal Article

Detecting Ionospheric TEC Perturbations Caused by Natural Hazards Using a Global Network of GPS Receivers: The Tohoku Case Study

Recent advances in GPS data processing have demonstrated that ground-based GPS receivers are capable of detecting ionospheric TEC perturbations caused by surface-generated Rayleigh, acoustic and gravity waves.

Dec 1, 2012
Dissertation

Dissertation

Actualizing Flexible National Security Space Systems

Three essays that address some of the challenges associated with improving the flexibility of National Security Space capabilities.

Nov 15, 2011
Report

Report

Improving the Cost Estimation of Space Systems

Why have the costs of acquiring space systems been so high? What are the sources of the problems? To answer these questions, RAND researchers examined the sources of cost growth of Air Force space systems and undertook an extensive study of two space systems.

Jul 24, 2008
Report

Report

Space Command Sustainment Review: Improving the Balance Between Current and Future Capabilities

Space assets are vital to the economic, social, and military interests of the United States. Sustainment complexities suggest a need to define a AFSPC commandwide sustainment philosophy separating demand, supply, and integrator processes.

Jun 17, 2007
Report

Report

New Metrics Show How Investments Affect Space System Performance

As space systems age, the U.S. Air Force Space Command needs to understand how budgeting for the maintenance and sustainment of ground segments affects the performance of their associated space systems. New metrics and models can help this process.

Apr 14, 2007
Report

Report

Evolutionary Acquisition: Implementation Challenges for Defense Space Programs

This monograph presents findings of a RAND Project AIR FORCE research project documenting lessons learned from the implementation of evolutionary acquisition (EA) strategies on major Defense Department military space programs.

Aug 16, 2006
Brochure

Brochure

Mert Davies: A RAND Pioneer in Earth Reconnaissance and Planetary Mapping from Spacecraft

Merton Edward Davies (1917-2001) was a major contributor to U.S. space efforts from when he first became affiliated with the RAND Corporation in 1947 until his death in 2001, at which time he still maintained his office at RAND.

Dec 31, 2003
Report

Report

Global Positioning System: Market Projections and Trends in the Newest Global Information Utility

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space-based signal providing precise timing, location, and velocity information. Just as any number of receivers can tune into a commercial TV or radio station, there is no limit on the number of people who can use GPS.

Dec 31, 1997
Report

Report

GPS-Aided Guidance for Ballistic Missile Applications: An Assessment

The proliferation of Third World ballistic missiles is a major concern for the U.S. government. This paper evaluates the effectiveness of U.S. control policies as they pertain to ballistic missiles, focusing on those with ranges of 300-1000 km.

Dec 31, 1995
Report

Report

GPS Targeting Methods for Non-Lethal Systems

Reviews the wide array of possible non-lethal concepts and separates their employment depending on target class.

Dec 31, 1995

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RAND Topic:
Military Satellites

Topic Synonyms:
MILSAT