El espacio ultraterrestre como dominio operativo: un análisis de los retos y desafíos para las Fuerzas Armadas de España

Abstract

Outer space has become as a new physical space where human beings carry out multiple activities, both public and private, and in some cases, they are strategic services, essential for the functioning of our societies and a matter of concern for national security, without which our way of life would radically change. Apart of these ones, there could be also some others with extraordinary perspectives of economic growth, if the possibility of exploiting the formidable natural resources from celestial bodies were materialized. Reason why a new space race has already begun with the aim of leading this new stage of commercial expansion towards the Moon. Therefore, in just a few years, outer space has become increasingly relevant in the field of defence, to the point that it is already considered a new operational domain on which current military operations depend to a great extent, and where in the near future military operations could be carried out independently. Thus, in the face of these new challenges for humanity and our nation, Spanish Armed Forces have the inexcusable responsibility of adapting to these vertiginous changes and evolving towards a new paradigm of warfare that is being written at this very moment. This will require, like previously in the history of nations, the modernization of current military capabilities and the development of new weapons systems, as well as far-reaching doctrinal and organizational changes to adequately equip the Air and Space Force. If we do not evolve in step with the times, we run the risk of jeopardizing our national security and, even worse, the future of our own society and the principles and values it represents.