Lean Launch: Enabling Responsive Space With Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century

To prevail in today's and tomorrow's conflicts, the United States draws upon its immense diplomatic, information, economic, and military instruments of power. As information technology advances and globalization takes root in every foot of the globe, America's national security relies heavily on space-based assets and the enabling capabilities they bring to bear. Certainly a critical enabler, the nation's ever-increasing dependence on space is now a critical vulnerability to asymmetric threats and while the existing assets must be protected, the ability to promptly reconstitute and augment those same assets in times of urgent need must be created. Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) is an attempt to address some of these challenges and complement "big space" with smaller, low-cost, quickly launched assets that meet short-term needs of theater commanders.

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