Review and assessment of select US space security technology proposals

This paper reports on the feasibility of research and development related to select US military space weapons technology development plans. The proposals are presented in an international context where the USA is likely not alone in having aspirations to space warfare technology. China, Russia and France, among others, are just as likely to develop novel space weapons technology, with the concept of militarized outer space gradually being replaced by that of weaponized outer space. However, since the US programs have received more attention and were arguably in more advanced states of planning, if not development, this article will focus on US national security space management and organization proposals, investigating five key technology projects that have been pursued by the US government. These systems will be described in relation to the technical issues, engineering difficulties and physical limits involved. If appropriate, their implications will be linked to the political impact of these US plans and the likely reactions of the rest of the world, as other countries may answer the perceived threat inherent in the mere development of space weapons by emulating or outpacing US space militarization plans. While the USA arguably has more advanced weapons technology expertise, it will be shown that other countries have already deployed low-tech weapons in space applications, with less media attention.