Peter Garretson - Fast Space & The Space Force

Peter Garretson discusses the USAF Fast Space study and how a small group of Air Force visionaries inspired the creation of the US Space Force. Our focus is a 2016 study entitled "Fast Space: Leveraging Ultra Low-cost Space Access for 21st Century Challenges", prefaced by Gen. Steven Kwast, which outlined the opportunity for the USAF and DoD to take advantage of emerging commercial space resources to reduce costs, increase capabilities, and improve national security. Behind the scenes, a small group of out-of-the-box analysts, planners & visionaries worked to promote the opportunities envisioned in the Fast Space report, which led either directly or indirectly to a variety of projects such as Fast Cargo, a number of satellite technology initiatives, and of course, the creation of the United States Space Force. Peter Garretson is an independent strategy consultant focusing on space and defense. Peter’s accomplishments include a 33 year career with the Department of Defense, and service in a number of prestigious roles such as the Chief of Future Technology for USAF Strategic Planning in the Pentagon, the Director of the Space Horizons Task Force, and the Division Chief of Irregular Strategy, Plans and Policy, and as a strategic policy advisor to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. Peter has also served as an assistant professor of comparative military studies at the USAF Air Command and Staff College, as member of the National Space Society Board of Directors, and in his current role as Senior Fellow in Defense Studies at the American Foreign Policy Council. Peter is also the co-author of “Scramble for the Skies: The Great Power Competition to Control the Resources of Outer Space”, and he joins us today to discuss the FAST Space & Strategic Stability in the skies. Links & Key Resources: Fast Space Study: https://www.defensedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/post_attachment/157919.pdf Scramble For The Skies: https://www.amazon.com/Scramble-Skies-Competition-Control-Resources/dp/1498583113 http://spacestrategist.com/ https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/space-strategy/id1559865448 ULCATS: The Ultra Low Cost Access to Space (ULCATS) Act http://allianceforspacedevelopment.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/ULCATS_Act_March_2016.pdf Additional Resources: https://www.wired.com/2016/12/dear-president-trump-heres-make-space-great/ https://www.thespacereview.com/article/3099/1 https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/05/17/air-forces-space-think-tank-studies-future-conflict-beyond-earth.html March 2017: https://www.thespacereview.com/article/3193/1