An Emerging Concept for the Medium of Space

Abstract

The economic growth of Eastern states is leading to exceedingly consequential developments for their respective military and civilian space programs. The Chinese space program in particular is developing at a rapid pace, which is commensurate with China's economic growth. Accordingly, if the United States is to retain its quantitative and qualitative edges in space it must recover the dynamism with which to further its economic and technological development. In this regard, inflatable designs for space solar power (SSP) are emerging whose economic impact can power the development of American space capabilities in the twenty-first century. With these platforms the United States can rejoin the space race with immense resources.