Final white paper USAFA

WHITE PAPER

OBSERVATIONS ON SPACE EDUCATION AT USAFA

25 MAY 1999

BACKGROUND

Growing overseas military commitments
Growing military dependence on information, much of which is provided by space systems, including civil and commercial capabilities
Recent leadership emphasis on better integrating space capabilities into USAF operations
Some continuing discussion about distinction between "Air & Space" and "Aerospace"

application of space capabilities is vital to the future of the Air Force.
too many USAF officers have an inadequate understanding of and appreciation for space operations.
USAFA is an excellent forum to educate future AF officers on how space and airpower can effectively merge.
a strengthened program for space education will attract highly qualified cadet candidates .

have extensive experience in space systems acquisition, operations and employment.

have investigated this topic since summer 1998, both remotely and by on-site USAFA visits.
have had significant interchanges via the internet on this topic.
are strongly motivated to help strengthen USAFA space education.

OBSERVATIONS AND PERCEPTIONS

A significant number of cadets enter the Academy with an expectation of a space-related career.
The level of cadet interest in space courses appears to be relatively low. Grads believe that too few cadets are motivated to pursue space-related educational activities.
A major factor in low cadet interest in space activities, operations, and careers is the combination of missile operations and space operations in the space operations career field.
A major in space operations does not guarantee a graduate an assignment in a space-related career field.
Both the Dean and Commandant have extensive space-related programs.
There appears to be weak linkage among space-related academic programs.
Space-related academic and non-academic (e.g., miltary training) educational elements do not seem to be strongly integrated.
There are significant opportunities to strengthen cadet motivation and understanding of the significance of and appreciation for space operations.

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM GRADUATES

the degree to which our society relies on space systems.
the role of information in military affairs, and the role of space systems in gathering, transmitting and disseminating information .
how space operations support military operations in the air, on land, and sea.
capabilities and limitations of space operations, many of which are non-technical.
potential future developments in national security space activities.
the need for many types of expertise, not just engineering, to support USAF space activities.

Space-related academic education should integrate a variety of perspectives (scientific, technical, systems design and operations, legal, political, international relations, economics, etc.)
Academic and military space-related education and training should be integrated.
There is a need to strengthen space-related experiences outside the classroom, e.g.

Create more visible space-related features in the cadet environment (displays, etc).
Improve space-related material in Contrails.
Exposure to space operations war stories: "the stuff of legends"
Participate in more extensive field trips, especially in the Colorado Springs-Denver area.
A cadet club focussing on military space doctrine, strategy, systems and operations.
Use of space hardware in field exercises.
A "spacemanship" option (with a better name) similar to traditional airmanship programs.
More extensive summer training with Space Support Teams or other space-related units.

RECOMMENDED GOALS

USAFA space degree should be widely recognized as the nation's premier undergraduate space program, and be a significant attraction for cadet candidates.
All USAFA graduates should have an appreciation for the current and potential roles of space power.
Increase cadet excitement about space systems and operations.

OFFER

The graduate community is prepared to provide assistance to USAFA in the following areas

Provide or participate as guest speakers with extensive operational space experience.
Connect with local library resources
Help strengthen connections with local space commands
Help strengthen connections with local industry associations and firms
Provide hardware and other display material
Provide opportunities for hands-on experience, e.g.
field trips or tours
flight opportunities, e.g. on NASA’s KC-135 used to simulate brief periods of weightlessness.
summer research opportunities for cadets and faculty.

In addition, this group is available to provide advice and guidance, based on awareness of current topics regarding space issues, to provide contacts to outside sources of information, and to make suggestions for USAFA strategic planning with regards to space.
To support these types of activities, this group of USAFA graduates is working with the Association of Graduates to encourage and direct donations to projects which strengthen USAFA space education.

ISSUES FOR DISCUSSION

How does the USAFA Strategic Plan treat space-related education?
Does the Academy now have an overarching objective for space-related education and experiences?
How can the various academic and non-academic space-related courses be better integrated?
What is the status and experience of programs designed to broaden cadet awareness of space operations, including

Should this growing group of graduates and interested non-graduates be given some official or quasi-official status? Creation of a standing "Space Education Advisory Board" has been suggested by the USAFA faculty.
How can the Board help publicize the USAFA space education?
Can the Board influence the Air Force's policy regarding combination of space and missile operations career fields?