The First Space War

How the Patterns of History and the Principles of STEM Will Shape Its Form

J. Furman Daniel III and T.K. Rogers

Unfortunately, much of what people believe about war in space has been shaped, or misshaped, by Hollywood and other forms of popular media. In this book a STEM educator and a political science professor team up to explore the possibilities for warfare in space and explain why almost everything you've learned about space wars from movies is disappointingly wrong. The truth is stranger and more interesting than fiction. Using history, politics and STEM as guides, this book provides a detailed account of how Earth’s first war in space will be fought. As we show, it will begin not as an invasion of Earth by super-advanced aliens but by Earth starting a war with its Martian colony.

Lexington Books

Pages: 254 • Trim: 6 x 9

978-1-4985-8774-7 • Hardback • October 2019 • $105.00 • (£81.00)

978-1-4985-8776-1 • Paperback • April 2023 • $39.99 • (£31.00)

978-1-4985-8775-4 • eBook • October 2019 • $38.00 • (£29.00)

Subjects: Political Science / International Relations / General, Political Science / Peace, Political Science / Security (National & International)

The First Space War

How the Patterns of History and the Principles of STEM Will Shape Its Form

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Summary

Unfortunately, much of what people believe about war in space has been shaped, or misshaped, by Hollywood and other forms of popular media. In this book a STEM educator and a political science professor team up to explore the possibilities for warfare in space and explain why almost everything you've learned about space wars from movies is disappointingly wrong. The truth is stranger and more interesting than fiction. Using history, politics and STEM as guides, this book provides a detailed account of how Earth’s first war in space will be fought. As we show, it will begin not as an invasion of Earth by super-advanced aliens but by Earth starting a war with its Martian colony.

Details

Lexington Books

Pages: 254 • Trim: 6 x 9

978-1-4985-8774-7 • Hardback • October 2019 • $105.00 • (£81.00)

978-1-4985-8776-1 • Paperback • April 2023 • $39.99 • (£31.00)

978-1-4985-8775-4 • eBook • October 2019 • $38.00 • (£29.00)

Subjects: Political Science / International Relations / General, Political Science / Peace, Political Science / Security (National & International)

Author

J. Furman Daniel III is assistant professor in the College of Security and Intelligence at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

T. K. Rogers is retired engineer and STEM educator.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: The Motives for Colonization: How to Not Go Broke Accumulating Money

Chapter 2: The Boogey Man in the Dark: Fear of Flying Rocks

Chapter 3: The Gravity Well: Defining the High Ground

Chapter 4: Space Mining: a Lesson in the Periodic Table of Wealth

Chapter 5: Humans or Humanoids: Why People are a Bargain

Chapter 6: Terraforming: A Critical Step in the Recipe for Making Martians

Chapter 7: Energy Production: the Nuclear and Solar Options

Chapter 8: Manufacturing on Mars: A Means of Taming Nature for Survival

Chapter 9: The One-Way Trip: Who Goes to Mars Stays on Mars

Chapter 10: The Inevitable Sources of Conflict: Lies, Misunderstandings, and Taxation Without Representation

Chapter 11: Earthlings Prepare to Invade: Going to War by the Public Transportation System

Chapter 12: Collaborators, Spies, and Panic: Nothing Focuses the Mind Like the Hangman's Noose

Chapter 13: Hollywood Strikes Back: Why the WW II Aircraft Carrier Model Doesn't Work for Outer Space Battles

Chapter 14: Stealth: The Key to Survival?

Chapter 15: Arming the Resistance: They're Coming for Us, Break out the Printers

Chapter 16: Earth Invades Mars: A Strategic Overview

Chapter 17: Physical and Cyber Counterattacks: Don't Mess with a Martian He Might Throw Rocks at You

Chapter 18: Negotiations and Aftermath: What to Do with the Tories?

Reviews

The premise of this work is a hypothetical story set approximately 250 years in the future, following a robust human colonization of Mars. The authors present a fictionalized account based on past history and current scientific trends. The early chapters present the historical reasons for colonization (citing the Spanish and British interests of the 16th and 17th centuries), including the acquisition of energy, materials, information, and territory. The physical realities of living on Mars (reduced gravity, carbon dioxide atmosphere, and increased radiation) are then imaginatively presented, further projecting how putatively successful efforts at "terraforming" Mars would make it suitable for human habitation. The fable also considers the hypothetical outcome of humans being born on Mars, and the consequent development of a Martian culture that differs from the one found on Earth. The authors argue that Martian and Earth interests will inevitably diverge, which will lead to eventual conflict. The historical conflict between the American Colonies and the British is frequently cited as the reference model. The authors finally discuss the detailed mechanics and outcome of the projected war, including a hypothetical negotiated settlement. This book provides a fascinating and interesting perspective on human colonization of Mars, with a possible scenario for the near future. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers.

— Choice Reviews

"In The First Space War, Furman Daniel and T.K. Rogers ask a question that it's not too soon to consider: what would war between Earth and a colony on Mars look like? As prominent figures from Elon Musk to Donald Trump push for human visits to and colonization of Mars, Daniel and Rogers examine what the far future of that relationship could look like if the colony ever decides to rebel. A provocative mix of science and politics, Daniel and Rogers lay out a detailed analysis of the future that will spark lively discussion and debate."
— Paul Musgrave, University of Massachusetts Amherst

“The First Space War is a fascinating insight into the hopes and challenges of colonizing Mars through the synergistic lens of science and mankind’s history of colonization! Eminently readable for the scientific layperson.”
— Michael Jones, Naval War College

“The First Space War’s speculative approach to future events, informed by history and the practical science and engineering of colonization, is a rare and fruitful approach to teaching a range of disciplines and the connections between them. The overall narrative is enriched with potential alternatives that can be discussed further. It passes perhaps the most fundamental test: I would very much enjoy either taking or teaching a class based on this book!”
— Seth Zenz, Queen Mary University of London

“The First Space War is a compelling look at science fiction and science fact, of international relations and intra-solar system relations, and the prospect for conflict in and over space. At a time when the U.S. government is putting together the plans for its ‘Space Force,’ the authors have provided readers with an important look at the future."
— Benjamin "BJ" Armstrong, editor of 21st Century Mahan: Sound Military Conclusions for the Modern Era