Aerospace Security Project

Leading source of analysis and expertise on the policy and technology issues shaping the future of aerospace security

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The Aerospace Security Project (ASP) is a trusted resource for policymakers, offering insightful thoughts and in-depth analyses on policy issues, operational concepts, technology trends, and economic drivers in the space and air domains. Our mission is to educate and inform policymakers and the public, conduct independent research and analysis, and convene experts with broad perspectives to advance creative and practical solutions that address the security challenges facing the United States and our allies and partners. ASP also fosters the next generation of scholars in national security space and air power policy through fellowship and internship opportunities. 

Part of the International Security Program at CSIS, ASP is led by Senior Fellow Kari A. Bingen and includes a distinguished group of expert affiliates spanning national security, civilian, commercial, and international aerospace issues. The team focuses on the following research areas:    

Space Security explores the national security uses of space and ways to enhance the security, stability, and sustainability of the space domain. This includes examining threats to the space domain and ways to increase mission assurance, resilience and protection of space assets, as well as alternative architectures, new operational concepts, norms of behavior, organizational constructs, and the role of government, commercial, and international entities.

Commercial and Civil Space analyzes how U.S. civil space programs and commercial space capabilities advance national interests, including evolving norms of behavior in space and enhancing U.S. national security. It explores international partnerships and competition in space, technology and economic trends, and policy issues that affect civil and commercial space capabilities and the health of the space innovation base.

Air Power and Cross-Domain Integration looks at the future of air forces in a contested operating environment and the integration of air and other domains to create greater battlefield advantage. It analyzes the role of long-range strike, stealth, and unmanned and autonomous systems, as well as options to address anti-access, area denial challenges, the missile salvo competition, and an expanding nuclear threat landscape. It also explores future battle network constructs, including the contribution of sensors, communications, and command and control systems.

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Space Threat Assessment 2024

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Report by Clayton Swope, Kari A. Bingen, Makena Young, Madeleine Chang, Stephanie Songer, and Jeremy Tammelleo — April 17, 2024

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Aerospace Security

The Aerospace Security Project at CSIS explores the technological, budgetary, and policy issues related to the air and space domains and innovative operational concepts for air and space forces.

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Why a Space Force Can Wait

Few people would have expected President Trump’s remark on creating a “Space Force” would take us to the point where we are today as Kaitlyn Johnson, research associate with the CSIS Aerospace Security Project writes in a new commentary.

Commentary by Kaitlyn Johnson — October 3, 2018

Why We Need a Space Force

The way in which the U.S. military and intelligence community are organized for space is a serious national security issue as CSIS director of the Aerospace Security Project Todd Harrison writes in a new commentary.

Commentary by Todd Harrison — October 3, 2018

Unmanned Aerial Systems' Influences on Conflict Escalation Dynamics

As more UAS operate in conflict areas, more incidents of attack or defense will involve said systems. This CSIS Brief details how escalation and deterrence dynamics change with the increasing use of UAS in conflict areas and examines several cases of how these dynamics might realistically occur.

Report by John Schaus and Kaitlyn Johnson — August 2, 2018

Assessing Threats to Space Systems

Space is simultaneously a powerful enabler for the United States and a critical vulnerability. U.S. national security space systems are vulnerable to a wide range of threats, ranging from cyberattacks and jamming to direct-ascent anti-satellite (ASAT) missiles.

Event — June 5, 2018

How Might Space Policy Directive 2 Affect Commercial Space?

On Thursday, May 24, 2018, President Trump signed a second space policy directive. This directive, informed by the work of the National Space Council, intends to streamline regulations in the commercial use of space.

Critical Questions by Todd Harrison and Kaitlyn Johnson — May 30, 2018

Space Threat Assessment 2018

Space Threat Assessment 2018 reviews and aggregates open-source information on the counterspace capabilities and activities of other nations, focusing in particular on China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

Report by Todd Harrison, Kaitlyn Johnson, and Thomas G. Roberts — April 12, 2018