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United States Space Force

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Russian Mercenaries, Online Extremism, the Commercial Space Market: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on Russia's use of mercenaries, understanding how extremist movements operate online, trends in the commercial space market, and more.

Apr 15, 2022
Report

Commercial Space Market Development and Trends

The growing commercial space industry offers a range of capabilities and services, including emerging technologies. Opportunities for the U.S. Space Force and Department of Defense to leverage these capabilities for military purposes are expanding. What concerns should stakeholders address?

Apr 14, 2022
Q&A

Building Better Government Acquisition Programs: Q&A with William Shelton

In the U.S. Air Force, William Shelton managed hundreds of millions of dollars in acquisition programs. He retired as a colonel then joined RAND as an engineer. One of his recent projects provided the U.S. Space Force with a new approach to acquisition, designed around its unique mission.

Mar 4, 2022
Journal Article

Nasty, Brutish, and Short—The Future of Space Operations in the Absence of the Rule of Law: Addressing Congestion, Contestation, and Competitiveness in the New Space Era

Existing treaties and laws are not sufficient to govern space given the dramatic growth in space activity. Ensuring a safe, secure, and prosperous space for all nations may require the application of social contract theory to space governance.

Feb 15, 2022
Tool

Getting to Outcomes® Handbook for U.S. Air and Space Force Community Action Planning

Getting To Outcomes helps Air and Space Force Community Action Teams develop a Community Action Plan. The Handbook includes guidance and tools. The Resource Guide provides links and tips. The Workbook contains blank versions of the tools.

Dec 28, 2021
Report

Managing Intellectual Property Relevant to Operating and Sustaining Major U.S. Air Force Weapon Systems

Expanded reliance on original equipment manufacturers have led the U.S. Air Force to give less priority to acquiring appropriate intellectual property. What organizational change should the Air Force consider to better acquire and use intellectual property?

Sep 14, 2021
Report

A Clean Sheet Approach to Space Acquisition in Light of the New Space Force

The authors describe an unconstrained "clean sheet" approach to space acquisition for the U.S. Space Force designed around the unique mission and calling of the new service.

Aug 25, 2021
Report

Deterring China in Space

How could the United States, along with key allies and partners, prevent China from taking actions in space or interfering with space-based capabilities in ways that are harmful to U.S. national security interests?

Jul 27, 2021
Report

RAND Space Launch Virtual Panel

A virtual panel discussion hosted by the RAND Space Enterprise Initiative tackles issues related to the global space launch enterprise.

Dec 8, 2020
Report

Enhancing Assessments of Space Mission Assurance

The authors describe decisionmaker needs for assessments of space mission assurance (SMA), challenges for conducting SMA assessments, the shortfalls that may result from the challenges, and options for addressing the shortfalls.

May 20, 2020
News Release

New Space Force Will Need Resources, Clear Definition of Warfighting Mission

To meet the goals of the U.S. Space Force most space activities in the Department of Defense should be moved into the new service. Moreover, it will be critical that the Space Force clearly define and clarify its space warfighting mission.

Mar 13, 2020
Research Brief

How to Build an Effective, Efficient, and Independent Space Force

To increase its likelihood of developing into a successful organization, the new U.S. Space Force should define and clarify its space warfighting missions. And most space activities in the Department of Defense should be moved into the new service.

Mar 13, 2020
Report

A Separate Space: Creating a Military Service for Space

As the United States creates the Space Force as a service within the Department of the Air Force, RAND assessed which units to bring into the Space Force, analyzed career field sustainability and drew lessons from other defense organizations.

Mar 13, 2020
Multimedia

An Air and Space Force Designed for the Future

At the fifth annual West Coast Aerospace Forum, some of the Air Force's most senior leaders joined RAND researchers and other top national security experts to discuss important issues related to the future of air and space power.

Feb 4, 2020
People

Michael Spirtas

Acting Associate Director, RAND National Security Research Division; Senior Political Scientist
Education Ph.D. in international relations, Columbia University
People

Erik Van Hegewald

Assistant Policy Researcher, RAND; Ph.D. Student, Pardee RAND Graduate School
Education B.S. in astronautical engineering/applied math, United States Air Force Academy

RAND Topic:
United States Space Force

Topic Synonyms:
U.S. Space Force