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War in Space

The Science and Technology Behind Our Next Theater of Conflict

  • Book
  • © 2018

Overview

Authors:
  1. Linda Dawson

    1. Senior Lecturer Emeritus, University of Washington, Tacoma, USA

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  • Presents vivid scenarios of what would occur in the event of a space attack
  • Provides a historical perspective of aggression in outer space while keeping the focus on the technology of outer space satellites and other space weapons
  • Discusses the required technologies for both offense and defense in space wars
  • Investigates the exploration and usage of outer space resources

Part of the book series: Springer Praxis Books (PRAXIS)

Part of the book sub series: Space Exploration (SPACEE)

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Table of contents (10 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-ix
    Download chapter PDF

  2. Life Without Satellites

    • Linda Dawson
    Pages 1-11

  3. Space as the Next Theater of War

    • Linda Dawson
    Pages 12-32

  4. The Environment of Space as a Theater of War

    • Linda Dawson
    Pages 33-45

  5. Space Debris as a Weapon

    • Linda Dawson
    Pages 46-60

  6. A Summary of the US Space Program and Its Relationship to the Military

    • Linda Dawson
    Pages 61-86

  7. Who Controls Space and How

    • Linda Dawson
    Pages 87-106

  8. The Cold War and Missile Defense

    • Linda Dawson
    Pages 107-120

  9. Post-SDI Missile Defense

    • Linda Dawson
    Pages 121-130

  10. Satellite Technology

    • Linda Dawson
    Pages 131-156

  11. Preventing a War in Space

    • Linda Dawson
    Pages 157-164

  12. Back Matter

    Pages 165-206
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Keywords

About this book

With the recent influx of spaceflight and satellite launches, the region of outer space has become saturated with vital technology used for communication and surveillance and the functioning of business and government. But what would happen if these capabilities were disrupted or even destroyed? How would we react if faced with a full-scale blackout of satellite communications? What can and has happened following the destruction of a satellite? 

In the short term, the aftermath would send thousands of fragments orbiting Earth as space debris. In the longer term, the ramifications of such an event on Earth and in space would be alarming, to say the least. 


This book takes a look at such crippling scenarios and how countries around the world might respond in their wake. It describes the aggressive actions that nations could take and the technologies that could be leveraged to gain power and control over assets, as well as to initiatewar in the theater of outer space. 


The ways that a country's vital capabilities could be disarmed in such a setting are investigated. In addition, the book discusses our past and present political climate, including which countries currently have these abilities and who the aggressive players already are. Finally, it addresses promising research and space technology that could be used to protect us from those interested in destroying the world's vital systems.  

Authors and Affiliations

  • Senior Lecturer Emeritus, University of Washington, Tacoma, USA

    Linda Dawson

About the author

Linda Dawson received her BS in Engineering Aeronautics and Astronautics from MIT and a Engineering Aeronautics and Astronautics MS from George Washington University at NASA Langley Research Center. She is a Senior Lecturer in Physical Science and Statistics at the University of Washington, Tacoma. Dawson served as Aerodynamics Officer for the Mission Control Center Ascent and Entry Flight Control Teams during the first space shuttle mission. During orbital phases, she served as an adviser on the impact of system failures on the orbiter's re-entry trajectory and configuration. From re-entry through touchdown, she was responsible for monitoring the orbiter's stability and control, advising the crew of any necessary corrective actions. Additionally, she serves on the Education Committee and the Space Committee for the Museum of Flight in Seattle. 

     

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