Space War (online, self-paced)

In this online, self-paced course, you'll engage in a concise exploration of space war and the strategic role of the space domain in modern military activities. You will gain foundational knowledge of space science, space capabilities, and how space has evolved into a critical military domain.

Course Summary

Designed for professionals in defence, policy, or space sectors, this course equips you with essential insights into the growing significance of space in military operations and the broader implications of space conflict.

Here's what you can expect...

• Each module consists of a short video explaining the basics and a list of additional materials – open access readings, podcasts and videos – that will let you get to grips with what is going on.
• Modules cover the historical development of military space activities, doctrinal categories of space capabilities, real-world case studies, space power theory, and current military applications.
• You'll also examine the impact of counter-space threats and space strategy’s influence on international stability

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this course you will:

• Grasp the scientific concepts enabling space operations and the strategic characteristics of the space domain.
• Study the evolution of military space capabilities through case studies and space power theory to understand space as a contested domain.
• Describe military space capabilities using doctrinal approaches to space warfare.
• Assess the relevance of key concepts to modern space warfare.
• Apply foundational knowledge of space war to new contexts across various disciplines for expanded learning.

Prerequisite: There is no prerequisite for this course

Instructors

Duncan Blake, School of Humanities & Social Sciences, UNSW Canberra.

Duncan Blake, a former Legal Officer in the Royal Australian Air Force, now conducts research and teaching at the intersection of law, outer space, and military policy. After 22 years in the Air Force, he transitioned to the Reserves in 2017, providing legal support for operations in the Middle East and advising on space law. He has contributed extensively to military space doctrine and policy, authored numerous articles, and founded projects like the MILAMOS and Woomera Manuals.

Currently, Duncan chairs workshops on space regulation and consults on space law and strategy for a law firm in Queensland. He continues to support the Australian Department of Defence in various tasks related to military space activities and the law, while also undertaking research on space governance topics and tracking emerging norms in the space domain.