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Space Warfare

Dissertation

A Need for Speed? Identifying the Effects of Space Acquisition Timelines on Space Deterrence and Conflict Outcomes

Investigates the link between acquisition timelines and space conflict using a mixed-methods approach of game-theoretic modeling and case study analysis.

Dec 24, 2019
Report

How the U.S. Air Force Shapes China's Military Aerospace Goals

Aerospace power has been a core feature of the People's Liberation Army's rapid modernization. The main driver for its development is the PLA's view that it needs to be prepared to deter and, if necessary, defeat the United States in a high-end clash.

Nov 21, 2018
Tool

Defensive Space Analysis Tool (DSPAT): Version 2.0

This manual explains how to use the Defensive Space Analysis Tool (DSPAT), which was developed to compare alternative approaches to space control in terms of their mission effectiveness, feasibility, escalation risk, and political cost.

Jan 5, 2018
Report

Gaming Space: A Game-Theoretic Methodology for Assessing the Deterrent Value of Space Control Options

This report introduces and explains a game-theoretic methodology to help decisionmakers assess the potential effects of alternative approaches to space control.

Jan 5, 2018
Dissertation

Deterring Space War: An Exploratory Analysis Incorporating Prospect Theory into a Game Theoretic Model of Space Warfare

This dissertation uses a game theoretic model of space war to examine how sentiments in multiple dimensions impact state decisions regarding whether to expand a ground war into the space domain.

Dec 21, 2017
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

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

Enhancing Space Resilience Through Non-Materiel Means

Because changes to space systems are costly, the Air Force asked RAND to identify non-materiel means -- doctrine, organization, training, leadership and education, personnel, facilities, and policy -- to enhance resilience.

Apr 28, 2016
Report

China's Evolving Approach to Strategic Deterrence May Prove Challenging to the U.S. and Its Allies

China is rapidly closing what was once a substantial gap between the PLA's strategic weapons capabilities and its strategic deterrence concepts. The United States will likely need to assure its allies that it will continue to maintain the capability and the resolve to support them in a crisis.

Apr 7, 2016
News Release

China's Military Modernization Increasingly Challenges U.S. Defense Capabilities in Asia

Although China continues to lag behind the United States in terms of aggregate military hardware and operational skills, it has improved its capabilities relative to those of the U.S. in many critical areas. Moreover, China does not need to catch up fully in order to challenge U.S. ability to conduct effective military operations near the Chinese mainland.

Sep 14, 2015
Research Brief

Tallying the U.S.-China Military Scorecard

A set of “scorecards” assesses the relative capabilities of U.S. and Chinese military forces in diverse types of conflict, at varying distances from the Chinese mainland, and at different points in time.

Sep 14, 2015
Report

China's Military Modernization Increasingly Challenges U.S. Defense Capabilities in Asia

Although China continues to lag behind the United States in terms of aggregate military hardware and operational skills, it has improved its capabilities relative to those of the U.S. in many critical areas. Moreover, China does not need to catch up fully in order to challenge U.S. ability to conduct effective military operations near the Chinese mainland.

Sep 14, 2015
Periodical

A Year After the Earthquake in Haiti, the Key to Stability Is to Build the State

It has been a year since the devastating earthquake. The question now is how to use international aid and assistance wisely. This RAND Review cover story describes actions that could yield positive outcomes in Haiti in three to five years.

Jan 6, 2011
Report

Air Power

Surveys the subject of air power as an area of research in international security studies and provides a bibliography of significant works and useful online resources.

Aug 4, 2010
Report

Deterrence and First-Strike Stability in Space: A Preliminary Assessment

The United States needs a coherent space deterrence strategy that operates on both sides of a potential adversary's cost-benefit decision calculus to better protect U.S. national security space infrastructure and strengthen first-strike stability.

Apr 2, 2010
Report

Space Weapons Earth Wars

This overview aims to inform the public discussion of space-based weapons by examining their characteristics, potential attributes, limitations, legality, and utility.

Jan 1, 2002
Report

Crew roles in military space operations

Discusses possible roles for military crews in space including research, maintenance of spacecraft, and direct participation in the operation of space systems. New vehicles, platforms, and tools proposed for manned operations in space (both military...

Jan 1, 1982
People

Bruce McClintock

Lead, Space Enterprise Initiative; Senior Policy Researcher
Education M.S. in aeronautical engineering, University of Florida; M.S. in airpower art and science, School of Advanced Airpower Studies; B.S. in astronautical engineering, United States Air Force Academy
People

James Black

European Lead, Space Enterprise Initiative; Research Leader
Education M.Sc./M.A. in international relations and international security, London School of Economics and Sciences Po Paris; B.A. (Hons) in history, University of Cambridge
People

Alexis A. Blanc

Political Scientist; Professor of Policy Analysis, Pardee RAND Graduate School
Education Ph.D. in political science, George Washington University; M.A. in security policy studies, George Washington University; B.A. in political science, Washington State University

RAND Topic:
Space Warfare