View Beyond the RD-180 By Todd Harrison, Andrew Hunter, Kaitlyn Johnson, Thomas G. Roberts, Evan Linck PublishedMarch 21, 2017 This report explores how the United States came to depend on the Russian RD-180 rocket engine as part of the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program, realistic options for the engine’s replacement in the coming decade, and potential space launch acquisition strategies for the future.
View Implications of Ultra-Low-Cost Access to Space By Todd Harrison, Andrew Hunter, Kaitlyn Johnson, Thomas G. Roberts PublishedMarch 21, 2017 To understand a future where the cost of access to space is only a fraction of what it is today, CSIS turned to a curated group of space experts, including launch providers, satellite manufacturers, government analysts, space law practitioners, and military strategists. This report details trends in low-cost access to space, identifies key opportunities for further cost reductions and policies needed to spur innovation, and explores new military missions that would be enabled if these trends lead to significant reductions in the cost of access to space.
View Ultra-Low-Cost Access to Space: What it Means and When it’s Coming By Todd Harrison, Andrew Hunter PublishedMarch 22, 2017 In this video, CSIS experts Todd Harrison and Andrew Hunter explore the unique trends in low-cost access to space, identify key opportunities for further cost reductions and policies needed to spur innovation, and explore new military missions that would be enabled if these trends lead to significant reductions in the cost of access to space.
View Options for the Ground-Based Leg of the Nuclear Triad By Todd Harrison, Evan Linck PublishedSeptember 21, 2017 The purpose of this report is to provide an independent assessment of the options available; including the impetus for the program, a review of the Air Force’s analysis of alternatives for the GBSD, alternatives to modernization, and key questions for policymakers to consider as the MDAP moves forward.
View Escalation and Deterrence in the Second Space Age By Todd Harrison, Zack Cooper, Kaitlyn Johnson, Thomas G. Roberts PublishedOctober 3, 2017 The second space age is more diverse, disruptive, disordered, and dangerous than the first. This report discusses the threats to U.S. space systems, deterrence theory in the space domain, and findings from a space crisis exercise.
View Bringing the Air Force into its Centennial By Heather Wilson PublishedOctober 5, 2017 Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson spoke at CSIS on October 5, 2017, outlining the service’s priorities for its major acquisition efforts over the next three decades.
Jun21 Small Satellites, Big Missions A two-session event that highlighted and amplified awareness of the implications of emerging space technologies, particularly those provided by smaller space systems. The panel presentations examined implications from the perspective of both changes in the way space missions are executed and in the way that transportation to space is provided.
Dec01 West Coast Aerospace Forum: Air and Space Power in a Multi-Domain World Hosted ByThe RAND Corporation Successful military operations in the modern age rely on the ability to effectively harness multi-domain capabilities, with information serving as the key lynchpin to put the right assets in place at the proper time to best achieve desired effects. This presents a new paradigm for the Department of Defense, one in which information stands as a co-equal to traditional elements of hardware—things like planes, ships, tanks, and satellites.
Oct24 The U.S. Military and Commercial Space Industry As the inaugural event of the CSIS Aerospace Security Project, this panel discussion will explore how the U.S. military can better leverage commercial space capabilities and what policy measures can be taken to support a thriving U.S. commercial space industry.
View Around the World in 60 Minutes (Or Less!) By Kaitlyn Johnson PublishedJanuary 17, 2018 Space travel could be the next revolution in human transportation. Are commercial companies, like SpaceX, developing viable options? Furthermore, what other applications may this technology have?