Militarization of Space

Assess the military space challenges facing the Air Force and the nation in light of the findings and recommendations of the congressionally mandated Space Commission.

The military is moving slowly but surely toward a world in which weapons will be stationed in outer space, and officials argue that these developments are essential to the maintenance of U.S. national security in the post-Cold War world. Handberg explores these recent proposals for change and assesses the policy implications that might well result in a challenge to proponents for the militarization of space. Taking the reader through the first Sputnik launch and then the Gulf War, the "first space war," Handberg introduces his audience to a broad overview of space as an arena for the conduct of military activity. He argues that the new policies are likely to result in a world that is less, not more, secure.

In this unique study of space exploration from a metaphorical perspective, Krug focuses on presidential rhetoric and the ways in which metaphors influence public understanding and opinion of the American space program. Beginning with a discussion of the significance of metaphor, the text offers a comprehensive "space chronology" of space program events and presidential responses, including John F. Kennedy's challenge to enter and win "the space race," Nixon ushering in the era of the space shuttle "work horse." and Reagan urging us to "reach for the stars."