The Balance of Power in Outer Space

This memorandum discusses the importance of controlling space, or at least precluding control by a hostile power, which the author perceives may be just as critical in future warfare as control of the seas or airspace. He asserts that, in the final analysis, the decisiveness of space power must be expressed in relative terms. The author concludes that if both the United States and the Soviet Union have significant support from space at more or less equal levels, then the decisive factors will remain elsewhere--so long as the capability to negate this support remains in balance. If, however, either side achieves exclusive use of space or even a preponderant amount of space support, the probability of a decisive effect from space appears to be very high. (Author)

Balance (ability) · Physics · Political science · Power (physics) · Space (punctuation) · Thermodynamics · Computer Science · Defense, Military, and Policy Studies · Military and Defense Studies · Psychology · Space exploration and regulation