Space Warfare: Strategy, Principles and Policy

by John J. Klein

Overview

This new study considers military space strategy within the context of the land and naval strategies of the past.

Explaining why and how strategists note the similarities of space operations to those of the air and naval forces, this book shows why many such strategies unintentionally lead to overemphasizing the importance of space-based offensive weaponry and technology.

Counter to most U.S. Air Force doctrines, the book argues that space-based weapons don't imbue superiority. It examines why both air and naval strategic frameworks actually fail to adequately capture the scope of real-world issues regarding current space operations. Yet by expanding a naval strategic framework to include maritime activities-which includes the interaction of land and sea-the breadth of issues and concerns regarding space activities and operations can be fully encompassed.

Commander John Klein, United States Navy, uses Sir Julian Corbett's maritime strategy as a strategic springboard, while observing the salient lessons of other strategists-including Sun Tzu, Clausewitz, Jomini, and Mao Tse-tung-to show how a space strategy and associated principles of space warfare can be derived to predict concerns, develop ideas, and suggest policy not currently recognized.

This book will be of great interest to all students and scholars of military and strategic studies and to those with an interest in space strategy in particular.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415407960
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	04/06/2006
Series:	Space Power and Politics
Pages:	212
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

John J. Klein is Senior Fellow and Space Strategist at Falcon Research, USA, and serves as an adjunct professor at the George Washington University’s Space Policy Institute. His previous publications include Understanding Space Strategy: The Art of War in Space (2019).

Table of Contents

Part I. Introduction and Framework 1. Where We Are and Where We’re Going Chapter 2. Contemporary Space Strategies 3. Maritime Strategic Principles Part II. Strategic Principles of Space Warfare 4. Space is Tied to National Power 5. Space Operations are Interdependent with Others 6. Celestial Lines of Communications 7. Command of Space 8. Strategy of the Offense and Defense 9. Strategic Positions 10. Blocking 11. Space as a Barrier 12. Dispersal and Concentration 13. Actions by Lesser Powers 14. Comparisons 15. Space Policy 16. Summary and Conclusions

Editorial Reviews

*Winner of The 2024 Air Force Historical Foundation prize for work on Space History and Policy*

“This new edition of Prof. Klein’s Space Warfare provides timeless insights linking historical strategic thinking about land, sea, and air domains with the unique conditions of space. This work should be in the library of every serious student of military space policy, doctrine, and strategy.”

Scott Pace, Director, Space Policy Institute, George Washington University

 

“Space Warfare is an important read for students, scholars, and practitioners alike. Through his thoughtful examination of maritime strategy, John Klein provides a useful framing for how to think about the strategic concepts of space warfare, while also drawing upon contemporary trends in space commerce, technological advancements, and operational examples.”

Kari A. Bingen, former Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security, United States

“Dr. John Klein’s updated Space Warfare is a valuable contribution to the development of space power strategy. It should be read by defense professionals confronting the intensifying astropolitical competition among world powers.”

Marc Berkowitz, former Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Space Policy, United States

 

“John Klein’s Space Warfare remains the definitive statement on space conflict. This fully updated second edition applies Klein’s timeless concepts to the problems facing modern space professionals, resulting in one of the finest discourses on space strategy in print. Highly recommended!”

Brent D. Ziarnick, Associate Professor, Johns Hopkins University

 

“John Klein’s fully updated second edition of Space Warfare offers a wealth of thought-provoking analysis for students and policymakers. As space activity becomes more critical to international security, Klein’s book provides a valuable framework for thinking about the future.”

James Clay Moltz, author of The Politics of Space Security, Crowded Orbits, and Asia’s Space Race

 

“John Klein’s updated masterpiece is a sign of the times—from its original publication, Space Warfare has grown into a cornerstone for space professionals, including several difficult topics. I would highly recommend this to any aspiring space strategist or someone looking to deepen their understanding of modern space warfare.”

Joshua Carlson, author of Spacepower Ascendant

From the Publisher