Exotic Space Warfare: Military Importance of Sustained Maneuver

Increasing competition and emerging threats in space have incited an increased sense of urgency for finding nontraditional solutions that protect space assets. Sustained space maneuver (SSM) is one possible exotic space warfare tactic to gain advantage in space. Deciding how important SSM is to the goals of DOD space leadership will require continued analysis of the current and future state of the space environment. The following essays address questions about the concept and its potential implementation by offering contrasting views on sustained space maneuver as an essential warfighting principle for the U.S. Space Force.

Authors: Thomas G. Roberts, Benjamin Staats, and Katherine Melbourne

This paper is part of a series published by the Center for Space Policy and Strategy called “The Debate Series.” Each of these papers includes two essays written by analysts and pundits external to The Aerospace Corporation that hold different positions from one another. After having written their essay, the external authors had the opportunity to review the opposing essay and offer a rebuttal. Although these essays do not necessarily reflect views of the Center for Space Policy and Strategy, the center is publishing these essays to clarify debates on national security space issues and to try to make them accessible to a broader audience.