by United States Space Command
Feb 1997
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UNITED STATES SPACE COMMAND
Howell M. Estes III
General, USAF
Commander in Chief
Edward G. Anderson III
Lieutenant General, USA
Commanding
David L. Vesely
Major General, USAF
Commander
K.A. Laughton
Rear Admiral, USN
Commander
GENERAL HOWELL M. ESTES III
"The increasing reliance of U.S. military forces upon space power combined with the explosive proliferation of global space capabilities makes a space vision essential. As stewards for military space, we must be prepared to exploit the advantages of the space medium. This Vision serves as a bridge in the evolution of military space into the 21st century and is the standard by which United States Space Command and its Components will measure progress into the future.
U.S. Space Command -- dominating the space dimension of military operations to protect U.S. interests and investment. Integrating Space Forces into warfighting capabilities across the full spectrum of conflict.
A Historic Perspective—the Evolution of Space
Land Threat → Land Forces → U.S. NATIONAL INTERESTS AND INVESTMENTS Sea Threat → Sea Forces → U.S. NATIONAL INTERESTS AND INVESTMENTS
Historically, military forces have evolved to protect national interests and investments -- both military and economic. During the rise of sea commerce, nations built navies to protect and enhance their commercial interests. During the westward expansion of the continental United States, military outposts and the cavalry emerged to protect our wagon trains, settlements, and railroads.
Air Support → U.S. NATIONAL INTERESTS AND INVESTMENTS → Air Power → U.S. NATIONAL INTERESTS AND INVESTMENTS
As air power developed, its primary purpose was to support and enhance land and sea operations. However, over time, air power evolved into a separate and equal medium of warfare.
Space Support → U.S. NATIONAL INTERESTS AND INVESTMENTS → Space Power → U.S. NATIONAL INTERESTS AND INVESTMENTS
Land, Sea and Air Threat → Land, Sea and Air Forces → U.S. NATIONAL INTERESTS AND INVESTMENTS Space Threat → Space Forces → U.S. NATIONAL INTERESTS AND INVESTMENTS Protection of Commerce
The emergence of space power follows both of these models. Over the past several decades, space power has primarily supported land, sea, and air operations--strategically and operationally. During the early portion of the 21st century, space power will also evolve into a separate and equal medium of warfare. Likewise, space forces will emerge to protect military and commercial national interests and investment in the space medium due to their increasing importance.
"Joint Vision 2010 provides an operationally based template for the evolution of the Armed Forces for a challenging and uncertain future. It must become a benchmark for Service and Unified Command visions.”
-- GEN John M. Shalikashvili
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff