US satellites policy may speed up space militarisation

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Air Force ◽  
United States Air Force ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
The United States ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Us Military ◽  
The Us ◽  
Speed Up

Subject The implications of SpaceX's entry into government launches. Significance The United States Air Force (USAF) has certified SpaceX's Falcon 9 launch vehicle for military satellites. SpaceX is not granted any launches by this, but it breaks the monopoly of United Launch Alliance (ULA) on about one-third of launches. This could have significant industrial and strategic implications in the medium term. Impacts Cost savings on launches will likely stay within the space programmes, which are a priority for the US military. Technology on reusable rockets would first spread to Europe and the Ariane rocket family. This could lead to a US-Europe duopoly in the rocket industry, similar to Boeing-Airbus in the airplane industry.

US Space Force will start small and then evolve

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Air Force ◽  
Marine Corps ◽  
The United States ◽  
Coast Guard ◽  
Arms Race ◽  
Donald Trump ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Us Military ◽  
The Us

Subject Creation of the US Space Force. Significance President Donald Trump on February 19 signed a directive ordering the Pentagon to draw up legislation establishing a Space Force as the sixth branch of the US military, alongside the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Impacts A separation of air and space budgets could positively affect future military space modernisation and development programmes. Creation of the Space Force could ultimately move the United States closer towards openly putting weapons in space. If China and Russia perceive it this way, it creates the risk of an arms race in space.

Trump uncertainty impedes NATO's Afghan strategy

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
The Other ◽  
Economic Decline ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Us Military ◽  
The Us

Subject NATO plans in Afghanistan. Significance The United States has nearly 7,000 troops in Afghanistan, spread across two separate but complementary missions. One is led by the US military and the other by NATO, but both are commanded by US General John W Nicholson. Uncertainty about US President Donald Trump’s policy looms over NATO’s plans for the country. Impacts Afghanistan’s economic decline will accelerate if US aid falls markedly. The Taliban have no incentive to talk peace at present. Direct Chinese security involvement in Afghanistan may deepen.

SpaceX will defy global launchers business model

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Business Model ◽  
Air Force ◽  
Department Of Defense ◽  
United States Air Force ◽  
Space Station ◽  
The United States ◽  
Federal Regulations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
International Space

Subject Outlook for satellite launchers. Significance SpaceX's successful mission to supply the International Space Station this month has put the expansion of its launch business back on track after a failure last June. In addition, United Launch Alliance (ULA), SpaceX's main competitor for US Department of Defense (DoD) and NASA business, faces an investigation to determine whether contracts it was awarded conformed to Federal regulations, while the competition between ULA and SpaceX to work with the United States Air Force (USAF) is turning into a bitter tussle. Impacts The challenge posed by SpaceX threatens wider disruption in the global launcher business. Launch prices will fall over the next five years as more cheap and reusable rockets become available. In the United States, dependence on the Russian-supplied RD-180 rocket motor for the Atlas 5 will undermine ULA's position.

South Korea’s ties with key countries will worsen

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
South Korea ◽  
North Korea ◽  
The United States ◽  
Xi Jinping ◽  
Content Type ◽  
South Korean ◽  
Us Military ◽  
Military Presence ◽  
The Us

Subject South Korea's international relationships. Significance South Korea’s government is celebrating the success of its response to COVID-19, but the country’s four key foreign relationships all face difficulties -- those with the United States, China, Japan and North Korea. No other countries or regions are vital to Seoul, despite vaunted ‘Southern’ and ‘Northern’ initiatives. Impacts A prolonged deadlock on funding the US military presence in South Korea could push Seoul closer to Beijing. If President Xi Jinping visits South Korea later this year, Washington could easily misread this. Substantial fence-mending with Japan may have to await new leaderships in both countries. South Korean President Moon Jae-in may have tacitly given up on North Korea, which has visibly given up on him.

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