A space roadmap for the 21st century aerospace force

The AFSAB was tasked to examine the evolution of existing air and space forces into an integrated force that best exploits the unique attributes of both media to meet national security objectives in the decades ahead. Aerospace forces will be called upon to provide global, precisely calibrated, near-real time applications of both lethal and nonlethal effects. The emerging vision of US military superiority through information dominance relies heavily on the ability to gather, analyze, disseminate and act upon information more quickly and effectively than an adversary. The study examined a range of alternatives for future space assets and functions based on executing the military tasks likely to be encountered in the emerging global security arena. This paper presents an overview of the study report. Findings and recommendations cover a very wide range of subjects dealing with enhanced capabilities, improved operational efficiency and affordability, and associated programmatic and investment concerns. Among the topics discussed are migration of additional information gathering (sensor) functions to orbit; robust, high capacity connectivity; energy projection; lift systems and launch ranges; system protection; and the ability to analyze and demonstrate the military worth of space. The study concluded that significant new investments are required, but that efficiencies in existing systems and operations are available that would, if exploited, substantially offset the funding requirements