Space weapons, earth wars / / Bob Preston [et al.]

• Author: United States. Air Force.; Preston, Bob, 1951-
• TeilnehmendeR: United States. Air Force.; Project Air Force (U.S.)
• Year of Publication: 2002
• Edition: 1st ed.
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (231 p.)
• Notes: "Project Air Force."; "Prepared for the United States Air Force."; "MR-1209-AF."

An exploration of the possibility, utility, legalities and limitations of the military use of space, specifically the use in space of weapons or defences for terrestrial conflict. The authors define and classify these weapons, describe their attributes, and explain how they might be used.

Table of Contents

PREFACE; FIGURES; TABLES; SUMMARY; ACKNOWLEDGMENTS; ABBREVIATIONS; Chapter One INTRODUCTION; PURPOSE; SCOPE; ORGANIZATION; Chapter Two BACKGROUND; HISTORY; POST-COLD WAR; LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS; Chapter Three KINDS AND CAPABILITIES OF SPACE WEAPONS; TYPES OF SPACE WEAPONS; DIRECTED-ENERGY WEAPONS; MASS-TO-TARGET WEAPONS; Chapter Four EMPLOYMENT; EMPLOYMENT; COMMAND; Chapter Five HOW MIGHT THE UNITED STATES ACQUIRE SPACE WEAPONS?; HOW MIGHT THE UNITED STATES DECIDE?; ASSUMING A DECISION TO ACQUIRE, HOW MIGHT TRANSITION OCCUR?; Chapter Six HOW MIGHT OTHERS ACQUIRE SPACE WEAPONS?; PEER COMPETITOR

FRIEND OR ALLY NEITHER ALLY NOR ADVERSARY; NONPEER ADVERSARY; NONSTATE COALITION; SUMMARY; Chapter Seven CONCLUSION; ADVANTAGES; LIMITATIONS; USES AND IMPLICATIONS; Appendix A SPACE-BASED DIRECTED-ENERGY WEAPONS; Appendix B KINETIC-ENERGY SPACE WEAPONS; Appendix C NATURAL METEOROIDS AS WEAPONS; Appendix D BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE COUNTERMEASURES; BIBLIOGRAPHY