Publication and Resources | The Aerospace Corporation

Active Debris Removal: Policy and Legal Feasibility

The last few decades have seen a growth in both the complexity of space operations and the number of commercial entrants into the space economy. The resulting increase in space debris engenders a…

A Short Guide for Understanding and Assessing U.S. Space Sustainability Initiatives

Key lines of effort, extrapolated from SPD-3 and reinforced in the 2020 NSP, guide understanding and assessment of recent efforts, and provides insights into where new and continuing efforts should…

Developing Future Space Workers: Leadership Needed Today

Leaders must think now about tomorrow’s U.S. space workforce. What paths can U.S. leaders take to encourage and cultivate a strong workforce?

A Breath of Fresh Air: Air-Scooping Electric Propulsion in Very Low Earth Orbit

Historically, the very low Earth orbit (VLEO) atmosphere has been a tough one for satellites to survive long-term. Can air-scooping electric propulsion (ASEP) potentially extend the life of VLEO…

Space and Art: Connecting Two Creative Endeavors

Space and art have connections going back to the early days of the space race. How can art be woven into U.S. space efforts for mutually beneficial outcomes?

Survey of Space-Related Political Appointees and Offices in the U.S. Government

This chapter discusses the connection between political appointees and policymaking for space by exploring the universe of appointees that make space-related decisions and support both development…

TRIGGERS AND EFFECTS OF AN ACTIVE DEBRIS REMOVAL MARKET

Space debris presents such a significant concern that the creation of an active debris removal (ADR) market may be necessary to sustain the space environment. What challenges must be addressed for an…

A Space Policy Primer: Key Concepts, Issues, and Actors

With new space policy questions emerging, how should the United States define its goals for the next chapter in the civil space exploration program?

The Hypersonic Missile Debate

The debate about hypersonic missiles is frequently characterized as a technological one, but it is much more nuanced than that. How should we approach this debate?

CubeSat Confusion: Technical and Regulatory Considerations

Many small satellites (CubeSats) launched en masse get to their destinations dead on arrival as a result of early on-orbit failure, unable to be identified or controlled via a communications network…

2020 Annual Report

The Aerospace Corporation’s 2020 Annual Report spotlights the accomplishments and breakthroughs that strengthen our value as the nation’s trusted partner for space.

Human Spaceflight Safety: Regulatory Issues and Mitigating Concepts

Commercial spaceflight offers significant benefits to society, the economy, and national security. Financial experts project that the global space economy could significantly grow over the next few…

Leveraging Commercial Developments for National Security Space Acquisition

The increasing commercialization of space is presenting new opportunities for national security acquisition. Because of commercial developments in space capabilities, U.S. intelligence and defense…

Strategic Foresight: Addressing Uncertainty in Long-Term Strategic Planning

Strategic foresight can help because it takes a holistic approach to considering and preparing for what is possible instead of relying on existing conditions and trends to predict the future. Long-…

Light Pollution From Satellites

The increase in proliferated low Earth orbit (pLEO) constellations set to launch over the next decade has fueled concern from the astronomy community, academia, and the general public over the light…