United States Space Force and the Future of American Space Policy

Jeremy Grunert, Major (US Air Force), is an Assistant Professor of Law at the US Air Force Academy, where he teaches space law and other courses. He has published a number of law review and other articles on the subjects of space law and space security policy.

• AcknowledgementsAbbreviations1 Introduction2 Outer Space Law and the Concept of “Peaceful Purposes”1 Introduction2 Outer Space Law: The Legal and Treaty Regime2.1 The Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and Declaration of Legal Principles2.2 The Outer Space Treaty: “Hard” Law for a New Domain3 “Peaceful Purposes” Under the Outer Space Treaty3.1 “Peaceful Purposes” as “Non-military” Use: A Fading, or Inapplicable, Interpretation?3.2 “Peaceful Purposes” as “Non-aggressive” Use: The US (and Modern) Approach4 Conclusions for United States’ Military Space Policy3 American Space Security Policy: US Space Policies & Military Involvement from President Eisenhower to President Biden1 Introduction2 The Early Years: Military Missile Development and Sputnik i3 Official United States Outer Space Policy and Law3.1 President Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953–1961)3.2 President John F. Kennedy (1961–1963) and President Lyndon B. Johnson (1963–1969)3.3 President Richard Nixon (1969–1973) and President Gerald Ford (1973–1977)3.4 President James Earl “Jimmy” Carter (1977–1981)3.5 President Ronald Reagan (1981–1989) and President George H.W. Bush (1989–1993)3.6 President William J. “Bill” Clinton (1993–2001)3.7 President George W. Bush (2001–2009)3.8 President Barack Obama (2009–2017)3.9 President Donald Trump (2017–2021)3.10 President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (2021–Present)3.11 US Domestic Space Legislation in the Security Context: A Brief Note4 Conclusion4 The United States Space Force: Organization, Mission, and Legal Implications1 Introduction2 Space Policy Directive-4 and the 2020 ndaa: Creating the Space Force2.1 Space Policy Directive-4: Directing the Creation of the Space Force2.2 ndaa 2020: The Official Birth of the Space Force3 Making It So: The US Space Force’s Organization3.1 Personnel and Organization3.2 Basing4 Semper Supra: The US Space Force’s Doctrine5 Conclusion and Legal Implications5 Outer Space Policy and the “Security Dilemma”: Is America Destined for Space Conflict?1 Introduction2 The Security Dilemma in International Relations Theory3 American Space Security Policy and the International Community3.1 True Security Dilemma?3.2 Cold War Era American Space Security Policy3.2.1 International Anarchy3.2.2 Uncertainty, Fear, and Power Accumulation3.2.3 Conclusions Related to American Cold War Space Policy3.3 Post-cold War Era American Space Security Policy3.3.1 International Anarchy3.3.2 Fear, Uncertainty, and Power Accumulation3.3.3 Conclusions Related to Post-cold War American Space Policy4 Conclusion: The United States Space Force & the “Security Dilemma”6 Conclusion: The Future of American Space Policy and Legal Development in a Post-ussf World1 Introduction2 Outer Space Law and the United States Space Force3 The Future of United States Space Security PolicyAppendicesAppendix A Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial BodiesAppendix B Text of Space Policy Directive-4, “Establishment of the United States Space Force” (President Donald J. Trump, February 19, 2019)Appendix C Publications Examining the Organization of Space Forces or the Creation of a Space-Oriented Military Service Branch (1994–2018)Appendix D Portions of 2020 National Defense Authorization Act Pertaining to the Creation of the United States Space ForceBibliographyIndex