Full Description
Since the Cold War, outer space has become of strategic importance for nations looking to seize the ultimate high ground. World powers establishing a presence there must consider, among other things, how they will conduct warfare in orbit. Leaders must dispense with "Buck Rogers" notions about operations in space and realize that policies there will have serious ramifications for geopolitics.
How should nations view space? How should they fight there? What would space warfare look like and how should strategists approach it? Offering critical observations regarding this unique theater of international relations, a military professional explores the strategic implications as human affairs move beyond Earth's atmosphere.
Contents
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Preface
Introduction: War Plan Orange
1. Interstellar Basics
Conflict
Determining Military Objectives in Deep Space Warfare
The Tyranny of Distance
The Stellar System: The Territorial Unit of Interstellar Warfare
The All-or-Nothing Character of Space Warfare
Assumptions
2. Logistical Requirements and Realities
Supplying Space Forces
Forces: To Automate or Not to Automate?
The Attrition of Distance
Supplying a Planetary Invasion Army
Logistical Impacts on Fighting in Hostile Environments
Automated Assault Forces
3. Ideological Factors
The Will to Fight
Facing a Non-Human Opponent and Its Repercussions
The Power and Primacy of Fear
The Hazards of Disunity
Planetary Unification: An Impossible Dream?
4. Space Dominance
The Trouble with Space: The "Never Ready" Blues
The Military Need for Settlements
Planetary Systems as the Key to a Strategic Stronghold
Deliberate Targeting: A Challenge to Prioritization
The Simple Sphere: Chasing the Ideal Space Superiority Fighter
Tactical and Operational Considerations of System Assault
5. Planetary Invasion
Forces Required
Endgame Objectives
Stage I: Blockade
Stage II: Planetary Siege and Orbital Bombardment
Stage III: Biological and Chemical Warfare
Stage IV: Orbital Insertion and Spacedrop
Planetary Defense and Dealing with Local Resistance
6. Economics of Interstellar and Interplanetary Warfare
The Planet as a Closed Energy System
Deep Space Economic Activity
Strategic Resources in Space
Mahan's Ghost: Economic Warfare in Deep Space
7. Dealing with Non-Human Cultures
The Problems of Communication
Superior Civilizations
Inferior Civilizations
Inter-Species Intelligence Gathering Limitations
8. Likely Causes of Warfare
Resource Competition
Territorial Disagreements
Fear
Honor
Self-Interest
9. Challenges to Diplomacy
Biological Impediments to Interspecies Communication
Why Stop Fighting? Finding the Proper Incentive
Treaty Limitations
The Ease of "Cold War" in Deep Space
Afterword
Appendix: Useful Formulae
Glossary
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index
