Weaponizing Space :: Politics, National Space

1. There is an ongoing debate on the issue of weaponizing space in order to protect our national space assets and achieve national strategic objectives. This is an issue because of the increase of more space faring nations trying to exploit the benefits of space and other nations also trying to develop capabilities to disrupt other from using it. This background paper will outline the current international laws and policies, our national policies in regard to space, current issues that catalyzed this debate, the benefits and disadvantage of weaponizing space. 2. Space is also governed by rules and laws much like we do on land and sea. â€Å"Treaty on Principles Governming the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies,† or commonly referred to as the Outer Space Treaty was signed in 1966 by many nations, including the Unites States, and is the basis for most international space laws and policies. Some key points to take away from this treaty in relation to the space weapons debate are the following: â€Å"(1) outer space is open to all nations to explore and use; (2) nations cannot own any portion of outer space; (3) outer space will be used for peaceful purposes; (4) nations cannot place, put in orbit, or station any weapons of mass destruction in any form in outer space.† (UNOOSA) These principles and laws are also mostly reflected in our nation’s space policy, and our national security space strategy. 3. Our National Space Policy (NSP) is derived from the President’s vision and directives. NSP incorporates the terms outlined in the Outer Space Treaty, as well as two caveats: (1) to deter, defend our nation’s space assets, and â€Å"if deterrence fails, defeat efforts to attack them [enemy Capt Cho/SOS/Flight C-33/3-6060/DBC/06 May 2011 threats]† (NSP, 3); (2) â€Å"to work with international partners to continue to promote peaceful use of space.† (NSP,4). Also, NSP shapes the National Security Space Strategy (NSSS), which the Department of Defense uses to direct the way the military develop and utilize space capabilities. 4. NSSS states a few current trends in space as being â€Å"congested and contested† (NSSS, 8), which is shaping our space strategic environment as well as fueling debates for space weapons. â€Å"Congested† trend refers to the current â€Å"60 nations and government consortia that own and operate satellites and the expectation to have 9000 satellite communication transponders in orbit by 2015.