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Why the USA Needs a Space Force
American Thinker ^ | 01/03/2020 | Chet Richards

Posted on 01/03/2020 7:24:03 AM PST by SeekAndFind

The establishment of the United States Space Force tells us that we really do live in a science fiction world.

For nearly forty years, the United States Air Force has had a Space Command. Now that organization is being upgraded to an independent military service. For the time being, the Space Force will report to the secretary of the Air Force. The arrangement is much like that of the Marine Corps, which reports to the secretary of the Navy. However, we can envision that in a few years, the Space Force will split from the Air Force and become truly coequal with the senior services. This evolution likely will follow the history of the birth of the Air Force.

The Air Force formally started in 1926 as a subsidiary branch of the Army known as the Air Corps. Our anticipated involvement in the Second World War required a great expansion of our air arm. So, in 1941, the Air Corps was elevated to become the Army Air Force, which now reported directly to the Army chief of staff. In 1947, the Air Force was separated from the Army and made into a coequal service. We can reasonably expect the same thing to happen to the Space Force as its role progressively expands.

Why do we need a Space Force? The reason is that far and away our nation's greatest vulnerability now lies on the space frontier. This has been true for more than six decades, beginning with the advent of the nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile.

An ICBM is a weapon that attacks from space. During its flight, an ICBM follows an elliptical orbit around the Earth. It is based on land for convenience and because of arms control (proper control, I might add).

(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: military; spaceforce

1 posted on 01/03/2020 7:24:03 AM PST by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

There are three types of information that have become critical:

1) Observation of activities on Earth and in space,
2) Secure communications, and
3) Global Positioning System navigation and timing.

Observation of the Earth, with imaging and with electronic surveillance, is critical to military operations. Aviation became essential during the First World War because of aerial observation. The French checked the German advance in the first Battle of the Marne because aerial observation reported that the Germans were unexpectedly close to Paris. This convinced the allies that aerial reconnaissance was essential. Full-scale aerial warfare quickly developed as a consequence. If aerial observation was critical a century ago, its modern extensions into space are even more important today. Observation of objects resident in space is equally critical — mainly to avoid surprise and to facilitate response.

Secure battlespace communications have become essential. A major focus of satellite communications is to link all battle participants with secure communications and instantaneous universal data transfer. Space dominance and security are critical for this kind of network.

GPS originally was developed just to help with navigation. Now, because of GPS’s precision, it is the key operational element on the battlefield and elsewhere. Modern precision munitions and coordinated battle activities all depend on GPS. Without GPS, we revert to Vietnam-era operations.


2 posted on 01/03/2020 7:25:25 AM PST by SeekAndFind (look at Michigan, it will)
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To: SeekAndFind

We already have a space force called Space Command. This is simply creating a new department that consumes those resources. I’m all for a Space Force but it creates nothing new.

I know, I was a plank owner of Space Command.


3 posted on 01/03/2020 7:27:40 AM PST by CodeToad (Arm Up! They Have!)
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To: SeekAndFind

We already have it ... had it for many years ... they are just now breaking it to the public


4 posted on 01/03/2020 7:30:32 AM PST by clamper1797 (We are getting close to the last "box")
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To: CodeToad

Worked as an aerospace engineer on space projects like this for many years ... maybe even this one


5 posted on 01/03/2020 7:32:24 AM PST by clamper1797 (We are getting close to the last "box")
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To: SeekAndFind

Why do we need a space force?

Because Obama, for eight years, allowed our enemies to develop theirs


6 posted on 01/03/2020 7:45:37 AM PST by South Dakota
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To: SeekAndFind

Someone needs to know when to expect all those satellites and space trash to fall to earth.

7 posted on 01/03/2020 8:43:09 AM PST by bgill
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To: SeekAndFind
An ICBM is a weapon that attacks from space. During its flight, an ICBM follows an elliptical orbit around the Earth.

Wrong. An ICBM does not put a re-entry vehicle (RV) into any kind of orbit. The RVs follow a hyperbolic trajectory, like an artillery shell.

8 posted on 01/03/2020 8:50:42 AM PST by pfflier
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To: SeekAndFind
It is based on land for convenience and because of arms control (proper control, I might add).

Second wrong item, same paragraph.

I'm sure this is news to the US Navy which has SLBM subs.

9 posted on 01/03/2020 8:53:20 AM PST by pfflier
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To: pfflier

Artillery shells follow elliptical trajectories. The reference to an elliptical orbit is correct, just an orbit that will intercept the Earths surface. Parabolic and hyperbolic trajectories assume the object has enough energy to escape the orbit.


10 posted on 01/03/2020 9:01:25 AM PST by Magnum44 (My comprehensive terrorism plan: Hunt them down and kill them.)
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To: SeekAndFind

Because China doesn’t like it.


11 posted on 01/03/2020 11:18:05 AM PST by hadaclueonce ( This time I am Deplorable)
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To: SeekAndFind

“Why the USA needs a Space Force”.

So we can drop the RODS OF GOD on all those bastards!


12 posted on 01/03/2020 5:59:46 PM PST by 5th MEB (Progressives in the open; --- FIRE FOR EFFECT!!)
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To: SeekAndFind

The Chicoms want to rule space. We can’t allow that or we’re toast.


13 posted on 01/14/2020 5:58:15 AM PST by Crucial
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