1. Banning all use and testing of weapons in outer space

Transcription

1 1. Banning all use and testing of weapons in outer space Disarmament MUNOFS VII Kaushal Alate (Deputy Chair) 1-2 November 2014

2 Introduction Weapons in outer space an ominous possibility and a real and urgent threat to international security: The beginning of the video above shows nuclear weapon in action, but in outer space, even a small rock can be used to destroy a satellite without the restraints of gravity It is therefore imperative that nations collaborate to come up with an unambiguous and enforceable framework that promotes peace and stymies the weaponization of outer space

3 Key Terms Defined I Outer space The physical universe beyond the earth s atmosphere (OED) Estimated by NASA and other agencies to start about 100 km above sea level Militarization of outer space Use of satellites by militaries for monitoring, communication and other peaceful uses Weaponization of outer space (Widely understood as) the deployment of technology with destructive capabilities (outer space weapons) in orbit in outer space

4 Key Terms Defined II Anti-satellite weapons (ASATs) Devices capable of damaging satellites in orbit through missiles or targeted nuclear-powered electromagnetic radiation (lasers) Ground-based ASATs Devices positioned on the earth s surface capable of damaging satellites in orbit A 1986 illustration by the US Defense Intelligence Agency of an ASAT attacking its target Source: Wikimedia Commons

5 History I Source: NASA The space race began in the first half of the 20 th century and reached its zenith when US astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first human to step onto the lunar surface on 21 July Nations worldwide, having agreed that it was in humankind s common interest to explore outer space for peaceful and beneficial purposes, had already signed the 1967 Outer Space Treaty to this effect.

6 History II However, the Outer Space Treaty did not explicitly forbid the weaponization of outer space apart from the use of nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction. As space technology developed, so did the use of outer space for military uses such as satellite communications and navigations. Several countries, including Russia, China and the US, are now also purportedly developing anti-satellite capabilities (the latter two have demonstrated their ability to destroy satellites in orbit). The US has been particularly vocal in defending its right to use outer space devices to serve national security interests.

7 Key Issues I As outer space presents such vast opportunities for enriching human life and safeguarding national interests, for instance satellite-based communications and navigation, it is clear that countries will seek to advance their space technologies. There is the risk that alongside the development of these peaceful programmes, nations will also acquire destructive capabilities. Thus, although it is generally believed that no nation has yet placed any weapons into orbit, the threat of outer space weaponization grows day by day. It is a multi-faceted issue which has been separated into several key aspects on the following slides.

8 Key Issues II The possibility of an arms race as nations try to keep up with other countries in outer space weapons technology Nations may oppose disarmament claiming that the development of outer space weapons is necessary for a deterrent effect to more powerful states Developing countries may re-allocate funds to outer space defence, potentially slowing down socioeconomic progress There is the contentious question of whether space weapons should be concentrated in the hands of a few countries, like nuclear power International relations may evolve, creating a dangerous, fragile situation like that which set off the First World War

9 Key Issues III Weapons with targets in outer space may be terrestrial (e.g. ground-based ASATs that fire missiles at satellites) causing difficulties in classification or exploitable loopholes in treaties There is a risk of terrorists seizing control of outer space weapons, especially in less economically developed nations Nuclear proliferation may be spurred on by nuclear-powered outer space weapons

10 General Overview of Topic: UN Perspective I UNGA hall at the UN s headquarters in New York Source: Wikimedia Commons The United Nations has agreed from the outset that outer space should be explored and used only in the interests of all humankind.

11 General Overview of Topic: UN Perspective II The 1967 Outer Space Treaty (with 102 States Parties) was based on a Declaration of the General Assembly (UNGA) in In 2004, the UNGA expressed concern that there had been insufficient progress in recommending ways to prevent military activities in outer space. Parties are currently trying to negotiate a treaty in the Conference on Disarmament, a multilateral forum linked to the UN General Assembly. The Conference on Disarmament in session in Geneva, Switzerland Source: UN

12 Major Parties and Views I China and Russia have recently proposed a revised treaty banning weapons in outer space which builds on an earlier one outlined in 2008 However, both are said to be concurrently developing outer space weapons. For instance, in 2007, China destroyed an nonoperational weather satellite in orbit creating over 3000 pieces of dangerous debris. More recently, there have been reports alleging that China tested an anti-satellite missile in May 2013 under the pretext of a research project.

13 Major Parties and Views II The United States opposes the treaty put forward by China and Russia, claiming that the proposed treaty does not show how countries space programmes are to be monitored and fails to adequately address ground-based ASATs The US itself also tested an ASAT missile in 2008, potentially as a response to China s show of outer space power in 2007, though it was termed a public safety measure

14 Major Parties and Views III US President Barack Obama s 2010 National Space Policy does not preclude the use of outer space weapons for national defence Instead, the US endorses a less formal Code of Conduct drafted by the European Union (last revised in 2010)

15 Major Parties and Views IV The vast majority of UN members states are against the weaponization of space; however, some critics contend that a complete ban on space weapons may render law-abiding states vulnerable to cheating nations who covertly develop space weapons Other nations, such as India, are perhaps being compelled to build their own space defence capabilities for a deterrent effect to countries that have already demonstrated their military ability in outer space such as China and the US

16 Timeline of Events I 1967: Outer Space Treaty banning the placement of nuclear weapons or weapons of mass destruction into outer space opened for signatures 1969: Neil Armstrong steps onto the moon 1979: Conference on Disarmament established 1979: Moon Agreement, a follow-up to the Outer Space Treaty intended to guide exploratory activities to the moon and other celestial bodies, opened for signatures

17 Timeline of Events II 2007: China destroys an old weather satellite in orbit 2008: The US carries out Operation Brunt Force, launching missiles to destroy a an unresponsive intelligence satellite 2008: The EU commences the drafting of a non-binding International Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities 2010: Obama releases new US National Space Policy May 2013: China allegedly performs another ASAT test 10 June 2014: China and Russia propose the latest updated treaty banning outer space weapons (Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space (PPWT)) which is met with hostility from the US

18 UN Involvement: Relevant Resolutions, Treaties and Events Outer Space Treaty adopted by the UNGA in 1967 Moon Agreement adopted by the UNGA in 1979 Each year, the UNGA has passed with overwhelming support (the US being amongst the few abstentions) a resolution that calls for adherence to past treaties and urges the Conference on Disarmament to negotiate a new, more comprehensive treaty to succeed the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. The UNGA has also established, amongst other bodies, the Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space to encourage transnational cooperation in the peaceful use of outer space, for instance in handling debris and crisis management.

19 Evaluation of Previous Attempts to Solve the Issue I The Outer Space Treaty explicitly prohibits the placement of only nuclear weapons, or other weapons of mass destruction, in outer space The Moon Agreement has failed to be ratified by more than seven states as of August 2014

20 Evaluation of Previous Attempts to Solve the Issue II The EU-initiated International Code of Conduct, which is still being revised, is a non-binding and unenforceable set of guidelines. The prevention of an arms race in outer space (PAROS) has for long been a pending issue on the Conference on Disarmament, with the US blocking any resolution that attempts to ban outer space weapons, conceivably due to its own outer space programme and defence policies.

21 Possible Solutions Addressing concerns* raised by member states about current treaties Guidelines to more clearly identify destructive uses of outer space from those benefitting all humankind Revising the definition of an outer space weapon and Including ground-based ASATs, which appear at present to be overlooked in definitions and (proposed) treaties* Greater coordination between different national space programmes or the establishment of an impartial, international committee to monitor and make final judgements on countries activities in outer space* Recommending the imposition of punitive measures for transgressions Encouraging public education to raise awareness about the future of outer space public pressure may, in the future, sway member states that currently oppose a treaty (such as the US which claims that there are currently no issues in outer space that need to be resolved through international action*)

22 Works Cited 1/2 "Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies." Disarmament Treaties Database. United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, n.d. Web. 5 July < "China, Russia Introduce Updated Draft Treaty to Prevent Arms Race in Outer Space." GlobalPost.com. Global News Enterprises, 11 June Web. 31 July < Cook, Nige. "Nuclear Weapons Testing in Outer Space." YouTube. YouTube, 18 Oct Web. 02 July < [A compilation of footage of different nuclear weapons tests conducted in space.] Gertz, Bill. "U.S. Opposes New Draft Treaty from China and Russia Banning Space Weapons." The Washington Free Beacon. Center for American Freedom, n.d. Web. 3 July < Grego, Laura. "The Anti-Satellite Capability of the Phased Adaptive Approach Missile Defense System." Fas.org. Federation of American Scientists, Winter Web. 3 July < Kane, Angela. "Remarks on Parliaments and Disarmament." New Zealand Parliament, Wellington. 8 Apr United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. Web. 6 July < Odenwald, Sten. "Where Does the Atmosphere End and Outer Space Begin?" Archive of Astronomy Questions and Answers. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), Web. 2 July < "Outer Space: Militarization, Weaponization, and the Prevention of an Arms Race." ReachingCriticalWill.org. Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, n.d. Web. 02 July <

23 Works Cited 2/2 "Outer Space." OxfordDictionaries.com. Oxford University Press, n.d. Web. 02 July < Reynolds, Glenn. "Can Obama Ban Space Weapons Successfully?" PopularMechanics.com. Hearst Communication, 1 Oct Web. 31 July < Saksena, Amit R. "India and Space Defense." The Diplomat. N.p., 22 Mar Web. 4 July < Shah, Anup. "Militarization and Weaponization of Outer Space." GlobalIssues.org. N.p., 21 Jan Web. 2 July < Shalal, Andrea. "Analysis Points to China's Work on New Anti-satellite Weapon." Reuters.com. Thomson Reuters, 17 Mar Web. 3 July < "Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies." Disarmament Treaties Database. United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, n.d. Web. 5 July < "Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies." Unoosa.org. United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, n.d. Web. 5 July < Ware, Alyn. "Weaponization of Space." NuclearFiles.org. Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, Web. 2 July < Zenko, Micah. "A Code of Conduct for Outer Space." Cfr.org. Council on Foreign Relations, Nov Web. 3 July <