In 2002, the forward-leaning Marines officially documented a need to transport 'small numbers of combat Marines...at sufficient speed to ensure the relevance of global terrestrial force projection at the earliest stages of conflict.' They have stated the desire to use space as the transport medium. With certain technological advances, the space domain may provide the solution, perhaps the only solution, for this USMC transportation requirement. Although achieving a viable, responsive troop space transportation option comes with significant challenges, the U.S. Air Force as the lead service for space should invest in capabilities that will both satisfy the stated Marine Corps need and make possible other missions that would benefit from fast, low-cost, reliable space transportation. The purpose of this paper is to examine technologies supporting worldwide point-to-point space transportation 'and the implications of this for the U.S. Air Force between now and 2025.' While this futuristic method of achieving rapid global mobility requires maturation of a wide range of technologies, this paper will focus on launch vehicle technologies here an appropriate Air Force contribution would reap substantial rewards for the United States and the Air Force. After exploring the background related to this problem, the paper delves into launch vehicle technologies and immerses the concept in 8 possible future scenarios. In 7 of the 8 alternative futures there is a definite utility in having access to a rapid, point-to-point space transport technology. The author concludes that the need for rapid, precision global mobility through space is valid. Technologies are maturing rapidly with the potential to deliver manned and unmanned responsive spacelift capabilities sooner than 2025, but they have not been adequately demonstrated in a single system. With the proper investments, disciplined planning, and the right partnerships, the nation will see the opening of the space superhighway.


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