![]() ![]() That is 190 times larger than the volume of Earth. Space is big: The volume of space between low-earth orbit and geostationary orbit is about 200 trillion cubic kilometers.By contrast, an average bullet only travels about 0.75km/s. Satellites move quickly, but predictably: Satellites in commonly used circular orbits move at speeds between 3km/s and 8km/s, depending on their altitude.When considering how to control space, the authors lay out the ways in which space combat is counter-intuitive for policymakers and strategists. Rather, control over the high ground involves reducing or eliminating adversary satellite capabilities while ensuring one retains the ability to freely operate their own space capabilities for communications, navigation, observation, and all the other increasingly essential ways in which militaries rely on space. ![]() Therefore, the report authors Rebecca Reesman and James Wilson write, controlling space does not necessarily mean physically conquering sectors of space. Unlike a war on Earth, which typically involves an effort by opposing forces to dominate a physical location, satellites in orbit do not occupy a single location. All of the physical constraints suggest battles will need to be planned far in advance. ![]() ![]() Published by The Aerospace Corporation, The Physics of Space War: How Orbital Dynamics Constrain Space-to-Space Engagements lays out several basic concepts that are likely to govern any space combat for the foreseeable future. Further Reading A Cold War mystery: Why did Jimmy Carter save the space shuttle? ![]()
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