Sean P Coakley

Defense Space Support to Civil Authority: How Can Policy Be Improved? Sean P Coakley

Publisher Marketing: The research question investigates how policy relates to the influence of threats, law, and treaty. It investigates how policy influences strategy, capabilities, resources, and evaluation of policy execution in order to understand how space policy relates to existing conditions and guides strategy. It analyzes documentation from 2006 to 2010 on U. S. space policy and related law, treaty, strategy, capability, and resources across the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The United States of America continues to have a stake in the defense of aerospace in order to maintain homeland security, support international commerce; simultaneously respond to natural and manufactured threats; and collect and transmit information crucial to support decisions. The 2006 U. S. National Space Policy establishes a strong position on preserving U. S. freedom of action in space. Analysis of performance issues with information sharing, dissemination, and funding priorities leads to recommendations on how to improve policy. It is important to review current policy to evaluate whether it provides the guidance needed to defense and security departments to develop informed strategy, produce appropriate capability, and acquire the necessary resources involved in defense space support to civil authority.