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Salmon Swimming Upstream: Charting a Course in Cislunar Space
Photo: SPACE SHUTTLE/MYSTERY/ADOBE STOCK AND MOON/MRVAYN/ADOBE STOCK
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I think we’re going to the moon because it’s in the nature of the human being to face challenges. It’s by the nature of his deep inner soul . . . we’re required to do these things just as salmon swim upstream.
There is a lot of promise—and hype—around the future of humankind in cislunar space, roughly the area between geosynchronous Earth orbit and the Moon. But there are also hard realities. Operating in cislunar space presents new technical and policy challenges that the United States and its allies will want to consider.
Over the last several years, over 10 nations and the European Space Agency have sent missions toward the Moon. Many more missions are planned over the next 10 years. To maximize the chances of success for the United States and partners in cislunar space, this report examines the overall cislunar landscape, identifies challenges, and outlines key considerations and ideas for space leaders to consider.
This project was made possible by the support of the Smith Richardson Foundation.
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Deputy Director, Aerospace Security Project and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
Louis Gleason
Former Research Intern, Aerospace Security Project