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1714Estes 5/6/97 2:07 PM Page 60 n A S A N Defense support payload aboard space shuttle. Space D O D and Joint Space Doctrine By H O W E L L M. E S T E S I I I W hen Americans think EDITOR’S Note of space, they most Recent experiences during Just Cause and Desert Shield/Desert Storm have likely envision the demonstrated the need for joint space doctrine. When thoroughly integrated manned space program into joint operations, space assets will prove to be a significant force multi- and the National Aeronautics and plier and also possess the potential for independent space application. This Space Administration (NASA). Some capability largely depends on understanding the uses of our space forces. might imagine the commercial advan- Doctrine can provide both principles and a framework for comprehending tages of space, and a few might identify and integrating space capabilities. This doctrine will be even more important its military use. In fact, space is all of these things, but according to national in the future, as potential enemies notice our increasing reliance on space. space policy there are three distinct Joint doctrine must address our use of space while denying it to an enemy. functions involved: civil, commercial, and military. NASA is responsible for civil functions (such as the shuttle and General Howell M. Estes III, USAF, is commander in chief, scientific projects), corporations seek U.S. Space Command. 60 JFQ / Winter 1996–97 Report Documentation Page Form Approved OMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to a penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. 1. REPORT DATE 3. DATES COVERED 1997 2. REPORT TYPE 00-00-1996 to 00-00-1997 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER Space and Joint Space Doctrine 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e. TASK NUMBER 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION National Defense University,Institute for National Strategic Studies,Fort REPORT NUMBER Lesley J. McNair,Washington,DC,20319 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S ACRONYM(S) 11. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S REPORT NUMBER(S) 12. DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENT Approved for public release; distribution unlimited 13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 14. ABSTRACT 15. SUBJECT TERMS 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF 18. NUMBER 19a. NAME OF ABSTRACT OF PAGES RESPONSIBLE PERSON a. REPORT b. ABSTRACT c. THIS PAGE Same as 4 unclassified unclassified unclassified Report (SAR) Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8-98) Prescribed by ANSI Std Z39-18 1714Estes 5/6/97 2:07 PM Page 61 Estes commercial applications (such as com- space operations. More importantly, it space into the terrestrial media—land, munications for cable and direct broad- will allow joint commanders and their sea, and air. Forces support launches cast television), and U.S. Space Com- planners to understand space as an ag- military satellites into orbit and oper- mand (SPACECOM) is entrusted with gregate of capabilities rather than a ates them, which is the enabling mis- most military applications. single asset. sion to other space missions. Finally, The United States has not con- force enhancement provides space sup- Need for Doctrine fronted an enemy who can rival our port to regional warfighters. The use of space for national secu- space capabilities or deny us the ability SPACECOM strives to provide as- rity purposes has come a long way to exploit them. However, we are expe- sured support to the National Com- since the first military satellites went riencing a global proliferation and in- mand Authorities, Chairman, combat- into orbit. Such assets can no longer be creasing sophistication of such capabil- ant commands, and other agencies viewed as extensions of terrestrial sys- ities. As we evaluate the contributions throughout the range of military opera- tems. Space is the fourth operating of space and incorporate their lessons tions. Normally, the commander in medium—a region where unique capa- into doctrine, potential enemies will chief, U.S. Space Command (CINC- bilities offer a tremendous force multi- take note of our increased reliance on SPACE), functions in a supporting role plier and potential for independent space and realize the value of utilizing to terrestrial CINCs or joint force com- force applications. Joint forces must it themselves, but more importantly, manders (JFCs). However, in accordance understand the many uses of space, will attempt to disrupt our use of it. with Joint Pub 0-2, Unified Action Armed have free access to it, make use of the Joint doctrine must consider protect- Forces, he can be a supported or sup- full potential of space forces, and be ing our capabilities in this medium porting CINC, depending on the nature capable of denying an enemy the and denying them to an enemy. We of the mission. SPACECOM operates its warfighting advantages available call this space control, akin to sea con- forces through service components, through access to and use of it. trol and control of the air. with CINCSPACE retaining command Recent conflicts have demon- of space forces which ensures the most strated the need for joint space doc- Command Responsibilities effective use of global space assets. trine. Experience gained in Just Cause With recognition of the growing and Desert Shield/Desert Storm as well military importance of space in the Military Operations as lesser contingencies such as Joint late 1970s, the need for a joint space SPACECOM forces function in a Endeavor influences joint doctrine de- force commander became apparent. distinct area of operations to support velopment in this area. In these opera- SPACECOM was activated in Septem- military operations in theater. The role ber 1985, creating a single of military space operations can be un- joint doctrine must consider protecting operational military orga- derstood by examining five points on nization to oversee and the nature of modern warfare con- our capabilities in this medium manage most DOD space tained in Joint Pub 1 from a space per- forces. The missions of spective. tions, space forces contributed to SPACECOM under the unified com- First, the environment that space everything from mission planning to mand plan fall into four areas. First, it forces face in support of U.S. national execution. Given emerging technolo- supports the North American Aero- interests is more than global. It in- gies, the impact of space forces will in- space Defense Command (NORAD) cludes the ”area” of space. The ability crease and become a major force multi- with missile warning and space surveil- to project and sustain our military plier when fully integrated into joint lance data. Second, it advocates space power worldwide is a basic requirement operations. requirements for CINCs. Third, it con- of the Armed Forces. The rapid access, That integration requires a ducts planning for strategic ballistic presence, and capabilities space forces broader understanding of how space missile defense (BMD) and, once a de- provide enhance our ability to do that forces contribute to joint warfighting cision on deploying a national missile effectively and efficiently. and the ways in which military space defense system is made, SPACECOM Second, these capabilities result operations should be used. Doctrine is will operate assigned BMD forces. And from technological advances. Space based on an analysis of the current fourth, the heart of what it does day to forces especially use new technologies mission, its history, the threat, the day is space operations. to improve global command and con- evolving state of technology, and the The space operations mission has trol, navigation, environmental moni- underlying military concepts of opera- four parts: space control, space force toring, surveillance and reconnaissance, tions. Joint space doctrine will offer a application, space forces support, and and mapping, charting, and geodesy. common framework and basic princi- space force enhancement. As men- Third, the speed of communica- ples from which to plan and operate tioned, control enforces space superior- tions and tempo of events, as well as and will fundamentally shape the way ity by ensuring our free access to space the need to conduct operations inside in which we regard and train for joint while denying it to an enemy. This is an enemy decision cycle, require the done through surveillance, protection, prevention, and negation. Force application applies force from or through Winter 1996–97 / JFQ 61 1714Estes 5/6/97 2:07 PM Page 62 n JFQ FORUM capability to rapidly monitor and re- The supported terrestrial com- Satellite communications are al- spond to events worldwide. Space manders must integrate space into most transparent but essential to ter- forces provide a continuous global joint operation or campaign plans by restrial forces. There are many areas of presence to observe and quickly react blending space support into offensive the world, especially oceans and re- on all levels of military operations. and defensive operations and planning mote locations, where such communi- Fourth, the contribution of space for changing situations. In particular, cations are the lifeline of military oper- forces to joint operations depends on they must employ ground-based ations. They are critical where there is people—space and terrestrial warfight- equipment required to receive, process, inadequate infrastructure. There are ers. Supported commanders and their and disseminate products from space several military communication satel- staffs must appreciate the capabilities forces and train personnel on these lite systems, including the defense and use of space force personnel who, systems. For instance, space forces may satellite communications system in turn, must understand the needs of furnish missile warning information (DSCS) which provides a high volume those whom they support. Lastly, from space-based surveillance systems, global capability. We are modifying the commanders of space forces must but supported commanders must re- remaining DSCS spacecraft and em- make space accessible, understand- ceive it, integrate it with data from ployment doctrine to provide more in- able, and usable. other warning and surveillance assets, formation to lower command levels. Fifth, space forces can decrease and use it in theater missile defense Because of expanding demands for the fog of war to provide the operations. support, we expect a blend of military, warfighter a clearer picture of the bat- Space forces serve numerous cus- civil, commercial, and international tlespace—reducing uncertainty and tomers and not all are military—in systems to meet our future satellite friction. The goal of information supe- fact, civil and commercial users are communications needs. With such a riority contained in Joint Vision 2010is rapidly expanding. This could have a fusion, our forces will need a focal just that. With space forces, we can growing impact on military users of point to ensure the availability of satel- rapidly observe, hear, understand, and space systems and must be considered lite communications. SPACECOM is exploit a battlespace environment any- in planning joint operations. For ex- working with the Joint Staff and others where in the world, even in remote lo- ample, the global positioning system to achieve this goal. cations, with little or no local support (GPS) also supports both civil and Weather forecasting is another commercial users, thereby re- contribution. Data from satellites assist stricting military capabilities. In resource protection, operational timing, space forces serve numerous the future, the United States flight planning, ship routing, muni- customers and not all are military plans to make an unaltered sig- tions selection, chemical attack disper- nal available to all users. This sion predictions, radar and communica- infrastructure. Such a flow of informa- points out the importance of the mili- tion anomaly resolution, and targeting. tion from and through space has been tary pursuit of navigation warfare to To offer better weather support of our crucial to modern warfare. It has al- ensure use of the signal by the Armed forces at lower costs, defense meteoro- lowed JFCs to gather ever more infor- Forces in a contingency while region- logical satellite program (DMSP) satel- mation and it is going to get even bet- ally denying its use to an enemy. lites are converging with National ter. When this intelligence is coupled Oceanographic and Atmospheric Ad- with ongoing advances in processing, Space Support ministration weather satellites. commanders will operate with relative Warning of ballistic missile attack Nontraditional uses of our forces certainty, at increasing operational has been a bedrock space mission since are expanding worldwide even as tempos, and at levels of effectiveness the early 1970s and has been achieved overall military forces are drawn down never before possible. through defense support program and our permanent overseas presence Unlike most military operations, (DSP) satellites. This program was built is reduced. The role of space in help- space operations are continuous. Once to warn of a strategic missile attack ing to get the most out of our forces in our systems are in place they provide upon North America but now includes these operations is growing. The most global support 24 hours a day. SPACE- theater ballistic missile strikes. Scud at- familiar example is GPS satellites pro- COM components function across the tack warnings in Desert Storm were the viding worldwide precision navigation full spectrum of conflict—from peace first combat use of this expanded capa- and geopositioning. The first major to war. In crisis or conflict these sys- bility. Since then SPACECOM has im- use of that system took place in Desert tems, already fully operational, can proved the fidelity of DSP information. Storm when it proved to be a resound- quickly be retasked to specific joint op- Today we have pretty much maximized ing success. erations. In other words, commanders this capability and are planning a suc- A final example of space support is can select those capabilities that best cessor, a space-based infrared system. intelligence from space-based systems. support their missions. This process is Whereas SPACECOM owns and oper- dynamic and varies with each situa- ates GPS for navigation, DSP satellites tion. Moreover, it is tailored by for missile warning, DSCS military warfighters for warfighters. communications satellites, and DMSP satellites for weather, we do not own or 62 JFQ / Winter 1996–97 1714Estes 5/6/97 2:07 PM Page 63 Estes the right data in the right place at the right time while advances in processing capabilities will help to create dominant battlespace awareness in future conflicts. Ballistic missile defense—theater or national—will be a huge space-intensive endeavor. In ad- dition, the military space plane will, among other things, greatly reduce the time and cost of putting satellites in orbit, opening new opportunities for less expensive systems. These and other initiatives will offer robust capabilities to ensure that our national interests are protected. Space forces have evolved dramat- man ically in the relatively short time since m Lockheed JSTARS. Northrop Gru tnfhiuremm fsibr sewtr h soiacfth enl lhiatteaisvo enw seo nra tna idrne t codo eomvrebmliote.p rTcinihagel Pathfinder launch vehicle, space capabilities is growing. This Vandenberg AFB. makes access to information and application—much of which has military utility—commonplace. JFCs have operate any intelligence satellites. They battlespace dominance. The integration come to rely on space assets not as a belong to the National Reconnaissance of space forces into theater and global remote activity of specialists or the Office (NRO) and serve varied uses— warfighting must continue. Many tra- strategic community but as vital part- not just military. Intelligence satellites ditional land, sea, and air missions will ners in conducting military operations. were originally focused far more on increasingly migrate to space. U.S. in- The United States has enjoyed rel- strategic needs. Recently, however, formation dominance cannot be as- ative freedom in space and has not yet there has been a growing emphasis on sumed in the future as potential ene- engaged an enemy that can duplicate support to military operations by these mies gain access to similar information or deny our space capabilities. We systems. Tactical exploitation of na- and assets. Global partnerships among must ensure that this situation does members of the civil, not change in the future. Space is the many traditional land, sea, and air commercial, and mil- fourth medium. Joint doctrine must itary sectors will in- missions will increasingly migrate to space bring the military facets of space into crease as all parties focus to maximize the potential of the attempt to stream- Armed Forces. JFQ tional capabilities organizations by the line infrastructure and cut costs. The services has been vital to forging closer task will be preserving core military ties between NRO and military opera- space capabilities as we expand our ties tions. SPACECOM and its component to civil, commercial, and international space support teams are engaged in systems. helping warfighters to better under- A review of programmed and po- stand and utilize NRO intelligence tential initiatives illustrates the in- satellites as well as fielded SPACECOM creasing impact of space. In the capabilities. Members of the NRO oper- decades ahead, SPACECOM will not ational support office are part of these only “support from space” but will space support teams at both joint and “operate from space.” The space and component levels. The NRO and missile tracking system will provide SPACECOM are working to provide a ballistic missile warning with im- single operational focus for all satellites proved launch location determination that support military operations. and the possibility of boost phase in- tercept. Space-based radars, lasers, and The Future possibly weapons will further enhance The medium of space will become SPACECOM effectiveness. The global even more important as new initiatives broadcast service will give warfighters and technologies come to the fore. Control of it is becoming integral to Winter 1996–97 / JFQ 63