2001 A Space Oddessy

The guiding principles of the US National Space Policy are very militaristic. It begins with a fairly peaceful and scientific outlining of ideals- such as using space to increase the speed of information through enhanced technologies. But it quickly asserts itself to take a very defensive position over the right of the U.S. and any other nation to the exploration of space. And it outlines that we will defend our sovereignty of space if any nation attempts to impede our progress or be hostile to our national interest. I found it ironic if anything that we talk about 'responding to interference'. The principles make it out to seem that our missions in space are for the spreading of freedom. But there is clearly US military/air force owned equipment in space, covered vaguely in the principles.

Overall, I think the exploration of- and possible attempt at conquest of- space may be similar to the colonizational practices of Europe in the Americas. The guidelines could easily be expanded to start to cover the territory of the moon and other planets and already starts to provide the U.S. with the ability to command and control areas of space where our equipment is placed- under the umbrella of "defense of national interest."