03046cam a2200469 i 4500 rnd000000000071669 RAND 20200811100856.0 030506s2003 cau b 000 0deng d 2002155704 0833033301 (pbk.) 083303412X (electronic bk.) 9780833033307 9780833034120 (electronic bk.) RAND/MR-1649-AF (Sirsi) a436470 $24.00 paperback CstmoR CstmoR n-us--- UG1523 .L35 2003 Lambeth, Benjamin S. author. Mastering the ultimate high ground : next steps in the military uses of space / Benjamin S. Lambeth. Santa Monica, CA : RAND, 2003. xviii, 193 pages ; 23 cm text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia unmediated n rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier volume nc rdacarrier "Project Air Force." Includes bibliographical references (p. 181-193). Introduction -- The Air Force's Struggle for Space -- Air and Space Versus "Aerospace" -- The Space Commission and Its Impact -- On Space Control and Space Force Application -- The Road Ahead. The author assesses the military space challenges that face the Air Force and the nation in light of the findings and recommendations of the congressionally mandated Space Commission, released in January 2001. After reviewing the main milestones in the Air Force's involvement in space since its creation as an independent service in 1947, he examines the circumstances that occasioned the Space Commission's creation, as well as the conceptual and organizational roadblocks that have impeded a more rapid growth of U.S. military space capability. He concludes that the Air Force faces five basic challenges with respect to space: continuing the operational integration of space with the three terrestrial warfighting mediums while ensuring the organizational differentiation of space from Air Force air; effectively wielding its newly granted military space executive-agent status; realizing a transparent DoD-wide budget category for space; showing progress toward fielding a meaningful space control capability while decoupling that progress from any perceived taint of force-application involvement; and making further progress toward developing and nurturing a cadre of skilled space professionals within the Air Force. Also available on the internet via WWW in PDF format. United States. Air Force Planning. Astronautics and state United States. Astronautics, Military United States. United States Military policy. Rand Corporation. Project Air Force (U.S.). Strategy and Doctrine Program. United States. Air Force. Online Access http://www.rand.org/publications/MR/MR1649/ 598823 598823