ABSTRACT
This chapter demonstrates that the designation of space as a theater is the logical outgrowth of Soviet technological-strategic planning and analysis concerning major trends for future war. The reconciliation of the apparent contradiction between “defensive doctrine” and Soviet attempts to establish space forces can be found in Soviet doctrinal innovations concerning the military role of space. In 1986 an intriguing innovation in Soviet doctrine came to light when the edition of the Soviet Military Encyclopedia stated that space could constitute the area of a Soviet theater of strategic military operations. Soviet writing about doctrine and force structuring logically entailed requirements for a space Teatr’ voennykh deistvii and its ominous portents are increasingly visible for all to see. Space weapons will also help along with air and air defense platforms to surprise the enemies at a great distance by striking pre-emptively.
