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United States Space Force

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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 19, 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

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Report
Space Competition and the Dynamics of Conflict: Using Game Theory and Artificial Intelligence to Gain Strategic Insight
The authors summarize research about using a game-theoretic model of competition and cooperation in space to examine the dynamics of conflict there, short of wars of total destruction. They focus specifically on the dynamics of space competition .
Jul 5, 2022
Blog
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
John Hoehn
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Michael Spirtas
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Erik Van Hegewald

RAND Topic:
United States Space Force

Topic Synonyms:
U.S. Space Force

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