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Space Force is Not a Crazy Idea
The near-unanimous media reaction to the creation of the United States Space Force was laughter. It seemed like yet another crazy idea from a grandstanding president. In my opinion, however, we really need to overlook the messenger and see the US Space Force for what it is, preparation for the next battlefield.
Over many decades we have lived with the idea that space was for everyone. It was an idea that was easy to live with because the price of space was high. Only a couple of nations had actual space programs and the ability to get people and materials into orbit and beyond on a regular basis. Launching one rocket was not a space program. Having a space program meant being able to plan ahead to launch many rockets a year safely and reliably. When you’re the only player in the game it’s easy to pretend anyone else wanting to play will play by your rules.
Over time, however, other nations developed their own space programs and could reliably and safely launch rockets from their own territory. They began to launch their own satellites and space probes. They sent landers to nearby planets. They also demonstrated the capability to disable other satellites in orbit. That’s when we woke up. Both Russia and China have demonstrated anti-satellite systems that could destroy spy satellites, communications satellites, and GPS satellites. In spite of international treaties…
