Weaponizing Space :: Politics, National Space

1.There is an ongoing flip on the issue of weaponizing lacuna in order to protect our subject field space assets and achieve dry landal strategic objectives. This is an issue beca enforce of the increase of more space faring nations hard to exploit the benefits of space and other nations also trying to develop capabilities to disrupt other from using it. This background paper go out outline the incumbent 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. blank space is also governed by rules and laws much like we do on land and sea. Treaty on Principles Governming the Activities of States in the Exploration and wont 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 an(prenominal) nations, including the Unites States, and is the basis for most international space l aws and policies. Some key points to experience away from this treaty in relation to the space weapons debate be the following (1) outer space is open to all nations to explore and drill (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 homunculus in outer space. (UNOOSA) These principles and laws are also mostly reflected in our nations space policy, and our national security space strategy.3.Our National Space Policy (NSP) is derived from the Presidents vision and straightawayives. NSP incorporates the terms outlined in the Outer Space Treaty, as well as two caveats (1) to deter, play our nations space assets, and if deterrence fails, defeat efforts to attack them enemy Capt Cho/SOS/flight of steps C-33/3-6060/DBC/06 May 2011threats (NSP, 3) (2) 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 a few(prenominal) current trends in space as being congested and repugn (NSSS, 8), which is shaping our space strategic environment as well as fueling debates for space weapons. Congested trend refers to the current 60 nations and organization consortia that own and operate satellites and the expectation to have 9000 satellite communication transponders in orbit by 2015.