Conflict in the Cosmos: A Discussion on Space Warfare

In the realm of modern warfare, James Carafano, a renowned strategist, describes conflict as a competition between adversaries, unfolding not only on traditional battlefields but also in various domains, including land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace. This dynamic is particularly evident in the space domain, which has recently been recognized as a new warfighting domain by the United States.

The recognition of space as a warfighting domain comes after the successful demonstration of destructive space technologies, a development that has been in the works since the beginning of the space domain. This shift was officially marked in 2019 with the establishment of the United States Space Force.

The United States' space capabilities have been significantly enhanced over the years, with milestones such as Operation Desert Storm, where the advent of the partially operational Global Positioning System (GPS) aided navigation through open desert, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, where advanced capabilities were demonstrated through communication over vast distances and the use of precision-guided munitions that were GPS enabled.

However, this reliance on space can also be perceived as a vulnerability. Adversaries have been developing capabilities to take away the United States' space advantages, as outlined in the 2021 Space Threat Assessment. This report provides an overview of the categories of kinetic and nonkinetic weapons being developed globally to reduce the United States' advantage in space.

The evolution of space capabilities is a result of the evolution of Cold War-era technology and the "space race." The phrase "militarization of space" has been a topic of discussion over the past few years, reflecting the growing importance of space in warfare.

War, according to the theories of both Carl von Clausewitz and Sun Tzu, is an act of force to compel one's enemy to do one's will. Clausewitz states that war is about achieving political objectives, not just generating effects such as the destruction of personnel and equipment. Sun Tzu, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of avoiding what is strong and striking at what is weak.

Smart practitioners of warfare seek to achieve victory by attacking their enemy's perceived weaknesses. In this context, the United States' reliance on space as a combat multiplier can be seen as a potential weakness. The United States Space Force and the United States Space Command, founded recently, are likely to play crucial roles in addressing this vulnerability.

It's important to note that the views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the United States Military Academy, Department of the Army, or Department of Defense. The goal in war, as both Clausewitz and Sun Tzu suggest, is to force the enemy to accept terms that favor the victor, and this is a challenge that the United States, like any nation, must continually strive to meet.