Space warfare in the context of "Gulf War"

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⭐ Core Definition: Space warfare

Space warfare is combat in which one or more belligerents are in outer space. The scope of space warfare includes ground-to-space warfare, such as attacking satellites from the Earth; space-to-space warfare, such as satellites attacking satellites; and space-to-ground warfare, such as satellites attacking Earth-based targets. The 1967 Outer Space Treaty forms the basis of space law; it prohibits permanent basing of weapons of mass destruction including nuclear weapons in space and the military use of celestial bodies, but does not prohibit the military use of Earth orbit or military space forces. Independent space forces are operated by the United States (US Space Force) and China (People's Liberation Army Aerospace Force). Russia operates significant space assets under the Russian Space Forces.

The Cold War prompted the start of the militarization of space. Military satellites have been launched since the late 1950s, for communications, navigation, reconnaissance and munitions guidance. The Gulf War is sometimes called the "first space war" for the US' use of these capabilities. The use of Starlink satellites by Ukraine has played a major role in the Russian-Ukrainian War.

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In this Dossier

Space warfare in the context of Space force

A space force is a military branch of a nation's armed forces that conducts military operations in outer space and space warfare. The world's first space force was the Russian Space Forces, established in 1992 as an independent military service. However, it lost its independence twice, first being absorbed into the Strategic Rocket Forces from 1997–2001 and 2001–2011, then it merged with the Russian Air Force to form the Russian Aerospace Forces in 2015, where it now exists as a sub-branch. As of 2025, there are two independent space forces: the United States Space Force and China's People's Liberation Army Aerospace Force.

Countries with smaller or developing space forces may combine their air and space forces under a single military branch, such as the Russian Aerospace Forces, Spanish Air and Space Force, French Air and Space Force, or Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force, or put them in an independent defense agency, such as the Indian Defence Space Agency. Countries with nascent military space capabilities usually organize them within their air forces.

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Space warfare in the context of Air Force Space Command

Space Force Combat Forces Command is the United States Space Force's space operations, cyber operations, and intelligence field command. Headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado, it consists of its mission deltas and garrison commands.

It was established on 1 September 1982 as Space Command (SPACECOM), the first dedicated U.S. space command. On 15 November 1985, it was renamed Air Force Space Command (AFSPC or AFSPACECOM) to distinguish it from U.S. Space Command, Naval Space Command, and Army Space Command. On 20 December 2019, after the establishment of the United States Space Force as an independent service, Air Force Space Command was redesignated as United States Space Force (USSF) and served as the transitional headquarters of the new service, but remained a component of the U.S. Air Force. On 21 October 2020, United States Space Force was redesignated as Space Operations Command and officially transitioned from being a U.S. Air Force major command to a U.S. Space Force field command.

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Space warfare in the context of Screening (tactical)

Screening is a military tactic in which a "screening force" (sometimes referred to as a "security force," or "guard force") provides early warning to a main force by using a smaller, mobile force to detect and harass an enemy's own screening and reconnaissance elements. This "screening force" hides the main body's strength and location, gathers intelligence on the enemy, and delays their advance, while avoiding decisive engagement itself. Screening may be utilized in all warfare domains; on the ground, on the sea, in the air, in space, and in cyberspace.

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Space warfare in the context of Battlespace

Battlespace or battle-space is a term used to signify a military theatre of operations, in which multiple domains are contested at the same time. Domains where military competition take place include the air, land, sea, outer space, cyberspace and the information environment. The battlespace concept integrates the environment (to include weather and terrain), timeframe and other factors that must be understood to successfully apply combat power, protect the force, or complete the mission. Other relevant factors include enemy and friendly armed forces, the civilian population, infrastructure, socio-political factors and the electromagnetic spectrum within the operational areas and areas of interest.

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Space warfare in the context of Spanish Air and Space Force

The Spanish Air and Space Force (Spanish: Ejército del Aire y del Espacio, lit.'Army of the Air and Space') is the aerial and space warfare branch of the Spanish Armed Forces.

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Space warfare in the context of Defence Space Agency

The Defence Space Agency (DSA) is an integrated tri-services agency of the Indian Armed Forces headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The agency is tasked with operating the space warfare and satellite intelligence assets of India. The DSA draws personnel from all three branches of the Armed Forces.

The agency is expected to be converted into a full sized tri-service military command in the future.

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Space warfare in the context of Eve Online

Eve Online (stylised EVE Online) is a space-based, persistent-world massively-multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed and published by CCP Games. Players of Eve Online can participate in a number of in-game professions and activities, including mining, piracy, manufacturing, trading, exploration, and combat (both player versus environment (PVE) and player versus player (PVP)). The game contains a total of 7,800 star systems that can be visited by players.

The game is renowned for its scale and complexity in regard to player interactions. In its single, shared game world, players engage in unscripted economic competition, warfare, and political schemes with other players. The Bloodbath of B-R5RB, a battle involving thousands of players in a single star system, took 21 hours and was recognized as one of the largest and most expensive battles in gaming history. Eve Online was exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art with a video including the historical events and accomplishments of the playerbase.

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Space warfare in the context of Israeli Air Force

The Israeli Air Force (IAF; Hebrew: זְרוֹעַ הָאֲוִיר וְהֶחָלָל, romanizedZroa HaAvir VeHahalal, lit.'Air and Space Arm', commonly known as חֵיל הָאֲוִיר‎, Kheil HaAvir, "Air Corps") operates as the aerial and space warfare branch of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence. As of April 2022, Aluf Tomer Bar has been serving as the Air Force commander.

The Israeli Air Force was established using commandeered or donated civilian aircraft and obsolete and surplus World War II combat aircraft. Eventually, more aircraft were procured, including Boeing B-17s, Bristol Beaufighters, de Havilland Mosquitoes and P-51D Mustangs. The Israeli Air Force played an important part in Operation Kadesh, Israel's part in the 1956 Suez Crisis, dropping paratroopers at the Mitla Pass. On June 5, 1967, the first day of the Six-Day War, the Israeli Air Force performed Operation Focus, debilitating the opposing Arab air forces and attaining air supremacy for the remainder of the war.

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Space warfare in the context of Japan Air Self-Defense Force

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (Japanese: 航空自衛隊, Hepburn: Kōkū Jieitai), JASDF (空自, Kūji), also referred to as the Japanese Air Force, is the air and space branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, responsible for the defense of Japanese airspace, other air and space operations, cyberwarfare and electronic warfare. The JASDF carries out combat air patrols around Japan, while also maintaining a network of ground and air early-warning radar systems. The branch also has an aerobatic team known as Blue Impulse and has provided air transport in UN peacekeeping missions.

The JASDF had an estimated 49,913 personnel as of 2018, and as of 2023 operates about 712 aircraft, approximately 321 of them being fighter aircraft.

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