PREVENTING THE INITIAL PLACEMENT OF WEAPONS IN OUTER SPACE

Transcription

1 PREVENTING THE INITIAL PLACEMENT OF WEAPONS IN OUTER SPACE Forum: Disarmament Commission Student Officer: Jerry An, President Introduction In the mid-20th century, accompanying the drastic development of technology, mankind was exploring space. Along with the space race between the United States and the Soviet Nation, the ability to reach the moon and send satellites into orbits incited concerns regarding the militarization of space. During the period, the world powers were also rapidly developing its ballistic missiles and various other militaristic technologies; therefore, placement of weapons in outer space seemed like an innovational and feasible option to gain an excellent high ground for military advantage. Since the capability to reach space, utilizing space and the moon as a platform to launch missiles and various other weapons was envisioned by many powerful nations including the United States, Russia, and China. The Exhibits at the 1968 UN Conference on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space in Vienna, Austria United States, even the current Trump White House, rejected signing the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS), a treaty to ban the placement of conventional weapons in space. This issue is becoming even more relevant and crucial as aeronautical engineering develops. Projects like moon-based nukes can grant unimaginable power to some nations and might even cause casualties to an unprecedented scale if abused. Therefore, the United Nations should establish clear regulations regarding the newly emerging space-based weapons. Background The UN first promoted the prevention of an arms race in space in 1959 through establishing the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) in Resolution 1472 (XIV). The purpose of this new committee was to encourage international cooperation among member to pursue peaceful usage of outer space, research on outer space, and legal measures regarding the exploration of space. The committee passed various treaties during the 1960 and 1970s to prevent the armament of outer space. For instance, the Partial Test Ban Treaty was passed on 1963, which banned all nuclear weapon tests that occurred in various domains including outer space. The Outer Space Treaty, passed on 1967, serves as the basic framework of international space law. Currently ratified by 105 countries (as of January 2017), the treaty prohibits states from placing weapons of mass destruction, establishing military bases, or performing nuclear weapon testing anywhere in Earth s orbit, on the moon, or on any other celestial body. The Outer Space

2 Treaty aims to promote fair, free, and safe space exploration. Following the Outer Space Treaty was the 1979 Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (Moon Treaty). The Moon Treaty supported the cooperation among the international community in the process of space exploration through sharing technologies and resources. However, it is generally considered to be a failure since only 16 nations have ratified this treaty. More recently, the UN Conference on Disarmament established an ad hoc committee regarding the prevention of militarization of outer space in However, due to some western countries opposition, particularly the United States reaffirmed various principles outlined in the Outer Space Treaty. PAROS was passed almost unanimously, with 138 nations voting for this resolution with no against. However, 2 nations abstained, the United States and Israel. Up to this day, the United State have not signed the PAROS, and China and Russia have expressed discontent regarding the United States refusal to do so. International Actions The United Nations began to consider this issue, maintaining the peaceful usage of outer space in 1957, before the launch of the first artificial satellite. Since the beginning, various proposals preventing the placement of nuclear weapons as well as other weapons of mass destructions in outer space were passed in the UN. The United Nations not only purports the peaceful development of outer space, but also have set basic principles regarding the exploration and usage of outer space as outlined in the Outer Space Treaty. The Moon Treaty, although generally considered to be a failure, attempted to encourage space exploration that benefits all countries. The United Nations also underscores that celestial bodies cannot be subjected to one country s ownership or sovereignty. Particularly, the Conference on Disarmament (CD) has encouraged further proposals regarding this issue, under the official agenda item known as prevention of arms race in outer space. The committee has drafted treaties regarding this topic, as highlighted in the Background section. Rather recently, in 2006, China and Russia haven even introduced the draft text of such a treaty to the CD. Furthermore, the General Assembly has adopted resolution A/RES/65/68 in 2010; this resolution calls for studies on outer space transparency and confidence-building measures (TCBMs) run by a group of governmental experts (GGE). GGE attempts to set international space guidelines with measures like fostering information exchange, risk reduction notifications, international cooperation, and consultative mechanisms. However, a crucial aspect of GGE is that its measures are non-binding and nations can adopt them in a voluntary basis. The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs serve as the secretariat of the GGE and has a purpose of preventing an arms race in outer space. Preventing the initial placement is significant as many nations would join the arms race once it is initiated. Problems Raised Potential Threats A vast amount of satellites, about 1300 active ones, orbits around the Earth, and weaponizing these satellites do not seem to be a hard process. There were various attempts, although unsuccessful, to do so, like one famous U.S. project called Project Thor. Small satellites with onboard targeting systems can be easily launched to aim at other satellites or specific locations

3 on earth. The United States Air Force has launched X-37B space plane that orbits the earth. However, due to the lack of transparency, the people do not fully know its function. Many have speculated that X-37B carries some sort of a weapon. It merely looks like a small space shuttle, but it is being robotically operated and can stay in orbit for a comparably long time. Most information concerning X-37B remains classified. There are different conjectures about the actual function of the plane such as bombing from outer space or hindering enemy satellites. X-37B once again emphasizes the need to increase transparency. Picture of X-37B, relased by the U.S. Air Force Increasing tension between the superpowers The United States refuses to abide by PAROS. The Obama administration attempted to enhance the US military space program through budgeting it with at least 5 billion dollars. Deeply concerned about the United States development of space program and arms, Russia and China have appealed to the international community, underscoring that the US should abide by the guidelines set by PAROS. However, even the Trump administration has decided not to agree by the international space laws. In response, Russia and China have further aggravated the situation through performing anti-satellite missile tests. Stance of the P5 Nations United States The United States has been at the center of this issue. As mentioned, the US has not agreed upon the PAROS. The United States has indicated that they might be developing and even possibly militarizing outer space through deployment of weapons in outer space. For instance, the Obama administration and Trump White House has flown various unidentified unmanned space planes into orbit with secretive purposes and tested various hypersonic weapons. The United States also did not adopt the Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities provided by the EU. Russia Russia is another country that is pushing for an international treaty regarding weapons in outer space that requires countries to refrain from any practical activities aimed to place weapon systems in outer space while the international agreement on non-weaponization of outer space is being elaborated." This difference in interests between the US and Russia creates tension and conflict. However, the United States have also recently called out Russian satellite that was launched to Earth orbit last October as it has been behaving oddly to be a space weapon, but the Russian authorities defended themselves that it was a mere space apparatus inspector. China Along with Russia, China has been a strong advocate for a binding treaty that prevents militarization of space. However, in response to the United States unwillingness to agree to the

4 treaty and code of conduct, China has developed its own space program as well as anti-satellite technologies. Its rapidly improving counter space program and anti-satellite systems depict the antagonism between the US and China regarding this issue. For instance, in 2014, Beijing tested a new missile (DN-2) in nearly geosynchronous orbit zone, and this zone is known to encompass a myriad of U.S. satellites. United Kingdom The United Kingdom was one of the first countries to sign the Outer Space Treaty. Since then, it had no trouble or problem regarding peaceful space exploration. Along with the European Union, the United Kingdom has laid out a Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities. France France s Minister of Defense has accused a Russian satellite to be eavesdropping on French advanced communications satellite as Russian satellites seemed to purposely move closely past it. Space espionage has been a crucial concern for France. Although France itself does not particularly develop space technology, it strongly argues for the European Union s Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities. Possible Solutions United States agreement to abide by the PAROS The United States, a country with one of the strongest military forces, has not agreed to abide by the PAROS. This incites concerns of many other nations, compelling other member states to also engage in militarization of outer space. This rising competition and conflict may perhaps lead to an armed warfare in space. Therefore, an effective solution would contain incentives to have the US to agree on peaceful development of space exploration. Through this process, Russia and China can also be discouraged in developing their counter space program as well. The United States has also been withdrawing from many treaties that had a purpose of maintaining peace and security. For instance, in 2010, Washington withdrew from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. The United States does not wish to be limited in terms of their militaristic development and reveal their process. In other words, the international community should prompt superpowers, especially the United States, to further detach themselves from arms development through formation of better international relations and treaties. International pressure can serve as a crucial force for encouraging nations to abide by them. Measures to alleviate the tension Currently, continuation of arms development can perhaps lead to a space war. Therefore, measures to alleviate tension between the United States and Russia/China is necessary. A viable solution would promote regular and frequent meetings between these primary players, since the United States, Russia, and China have been disagreeing on this issue with no significant progress for about 20 years. A neutral but powerful third-party nation would facilitate the process of negotiation. Both space programs require a lot of funding; there would be no need for space arms development once peaceful usage of space can be agreed upon. This would benefit both sides and further advocate space explorations with pure intentions like research rather than militarization.

5 Increasing transparency The United States has been subjected to multiple speculations, conjectures, and criticisms by member states to have already launched armed satellites in earth s orbit. Although the United States seems unwilling to do so, transparency regarding space programs can clarify intended purposes of unmanned space shuttles, and member states can accurately identify if these shuttles had a military purpose or not. In addition, increased transparency can also create an environment in which the member states can cooperate with one another to advance their space program and share research. The Moon Treaty, which supported the cooperation among the international community in the process of space exploration through sharing technologies and resources, would require transparency as its basis. Thus, increased transparency can appeal to its feasibility, encouraging more than the initial number of member states (16) to ratify it. Glossary Transparency and confidence building measures (TCBM): Reports of TCBMs in outer space is written by GGE (group of government experts). The Group concluded that the world's growing dependence on space-based systems and technologies and the information they provide requires collaborative efforts to address threats to the sustainability and security of outer space activities. Transparency: The state of being visible or accessible of information especially concerning business practices. Anti-satellite Weapon (ASAT): ASATs are space weapons that has a capability to destroy satellites in earth s orbit for military purposes. Geosynchronous orbit: a circular geosynchronous orbit 35,786 km (22,236 mi) above Earth's equator and following the direction of Earth's rotation. 1 Anti-satellite weapon of the US Air Force being tested. Time Line Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) is established by the UN General Assembly Resolution The Outer Space Treaty is adopted by member states On 12 February, China and Russia introduced a Draft Treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space, the Threat or Use of Force against Outer Space Objects (PPWT) to the CD From 8-12 July, the GGE held its third and final session in New York. The final report of the Group s work was submitted to the General Assembly at its 68th Session. 3 1 "Geostationary orbit." 2 Proposed Prevention of an Arms Race in Space (PAROS) Treaty 3 Proposed Prevention of an Arms Race in Space (PAROS) Treaty

6 2017- On June 16, the EU Member States issued a statement to the Conference on Disarmament Working Group on the Way Ahead that proposed a multilateral non-legally binding instrument on Space Security. 4 4 Proposed Prevention of an Arms Race in Space (PAROS) Treaty

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