Toward Better Space Superiority Doctrine

For each of the major space control mission areas: surveillance of space and space situation awareness, protection and defensive counterspace, and prevention, negation, and offensive counterspace, critical examination of current space superiority doctrine uncovers disconnects between joint and service doctrine, as well as potential growth areas doctrine. In the surveillance of space and space situation awareness mission area, analysis identifies disconnects in the areas of terminology, degree necessary for space control, influence, and space environment. Recommendations include dealing with entities outside the DoD, and identifying needed capabilities. In the protection and defensive counterspace mission, the major doctrinal disconnects are in the areas of deterrence and centralized analysis. Potential growth areas include defense against direct ascent weapons and commercial space. In the prevention, negation, and offensive counterspace area, doctrinal disconnects exist in prevention and targeting. Potential growth areas include timeliness, achievability, and command and control. Finally, several obstacles to joint space-mindedness exist, which impact the robustness of joint and service doctrine. These obstacles include transparency, inter-department and interagency relations, the JCIDS process, and materiel and funding. The study concludes by recommending doctrinal revision and the development of a common framework for space superiority doctrine.