Low-Cost Access to Space: Military Opportunities and Challenges
By Philip Stockdale, Scott Aughenbaugh, and Nickolas J. Boensch
Defense Horizons 83
PRINT
|
E-MAIL
Feb. 1, 2018 —
Download PDF
Key Points
- In support of the Air University
“Fast Space” study, the National
Defense University collaborated
with Johns Hopkins University,
eight think tanks, and subject matter
experts to analyze the utility
of ultra-low-cost access to space
(ULCATS) for the U.S. military.
- Contributors identified disruptors
that could achieve ULCATS
and Fast Space as well as space
architectures and capabilities that
could reduce the cost of access to
space. They also offered recommendations
for legal, policy, regulatory,
authority, and oversight
adjustments that could facilitate
reductions.
- The combination of a greater
number of innovative commercial
space actors, industry advocacy
for licensing reform, and optimism
regarding reusable launch vehicles
will eventually change the ways
the United States operates in
space.
- As the economic landscape of
space activities evolves, some
missions in low earth orbit may be
turned over to commercial sector
operation, but the next 3 to
5 years might not be revolutionary
for government use of space
capabilities.
READ MORE