Weaponization of space-a structure for decision

The current world leader in space exploitation, the United States, pursues its national goals in space without a stated military strategy to support those goals through the maintenance of national and international security. While the need for strategy can be dismissed as premature, the vacuum allows the unintentional creation of both strategy and policy through the classified quest for technological capabilities. This paper outlines the basic geopolitical structure in which military space strategy must function. I have included the physics governing space operations, philosophical goals stated by American administrations since the 1950s, tenets governing international relations, and probable military advantages/disadvantages. This paper is meant to stimulate thought for developing reasonable policies and strategies-not to present a "correct" answer. It is also intended to make today's space professionals aware that their technical pursuits may be unwittingly setting the philosophical course for the future.