2nd Edition

Space Warfare Strategy, Principles and Policy

By John J. Klein Copyright 2025
324 Pages 10 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

324 Pages 10 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

324 Pages 10 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

This book examines military space strategy within the context of the land and naval strategies of the past. This second edition has been updated and revised, with several new chapters included. The book examines competition and conflict in the space domain, including the methods used and sound counterstrategies to thwart a competitor’s efforts. Contrary to many spacepower pundits, the book... Read more

Part I: Introduction and Strategic Framework    

Chapter 1: Where We are and Where We’re Going  

Chapter 2: Contemporary Space Frameworks and Useful Analogies    

Chapter 3: Maritime Strategic Principles    

 

Part II: Corbett in Orbit: Strategic Principles of Space Warfare    

Chapter 4: Space is Tied to National Power  

Chapter 5: Celestial Lines of Communication  

Chapter 6: Space is Interdependent with Other Domains  

Chapter 7: Command of Space

Chapter 8: Purpose of Offensive and Defensive Space Strategies   

Chapter 9: Astropolitics and Strategic Positions    

Chapter 10: Blocking Celestial Lines of Communication  

Chapter 11: Limited Space Warfare, Asymmetric Advantage, and Coercion  

Chapter 12: Dispersal and Concentration

Chapter 13: Guardian Angels and Celestial Demons    

Chapter 14: Strategy for Middle and Emerging Space Powers  

 

Part III: Comparisons and Recommendations  

Chapter 15: Comparisons to Space Doctrine  

Chapter 16: Future of Space Policy and Strategy

Biography

John J. Klein is Senior Fellow and Space Strategist at Falcon Research, USA, and serves as an adjunct professor at the George Washington University’s Space Policy Institute. His previous publications include Understanding Space Strategy: The Art of War in Space (2019).

*Winner of The 2024 Air Force Historical Foundation prize for work on Space History and Policy*

“This new edition of Prof. Klein’s Space Warfare provides timeless insights linking historical strategic thinking about land, sea, and air domains with the unique conditions of space. This work should be in the library of every serious student of military space policy, doctrine, and strategy.”

Scott Pace, Director, Space Policy Institute, George Washington University

 

Space Warfare is an important read for students, scholars, and practitioners alike. Through his thoughtful examination of maritime strategy, John Klein provides a useful framing for how to think about the strategic concepts of space warfare, while also drawing upon contemporary trends in space commerce, technological advancements, and operational examples.”

Kari A. Bingen, former Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security, United States

“Dr. John Klein’s updated Space Warfare is a valuable contribution to the development of space power strategy. It should be read by defense professionals confronting the intensifying astropolitical competition among world powers.”

Marc Berkowitz, former Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Space Policy, United States

 

“John Klein’s Space Warfare remains the definitive statement on space conflict. This fully updated second edition applies Klein’s timeless concepts to the problems facing modern space professionals, resulting in one of the finest discourses on space strategy in print. Highly recommended!”

Brent D. Ziarnick, Associate Professor, Johns Hopkins University

 

“John Klein’s fully updated second edition of Space Warfare offers a wealth of thought-provoking analysis for students and policymakers. As space activity becomes more critical to international security, Klein’s book provides a valuable framework for thinking about the future.”

James Clay Moltz, author of The Politics of Space Security, Crowded Orbits, and Asia’s Space Race

 

“John Klein’s updated masterpiece is a sign of the times—from its original publication, Space Warfare has grown into a cornerstone for space professionals, including several difficult topics. I would highly recommend this to any aspiring space strategist or someone looking to deepen their understanding of modern space warfare.”

Joshua Carlson, author of Spacepower Ascendant