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... a future conflict in space could have massive, long-term negative repercussions
... a future conflict in space could have massive, long-term negative repercussions
that are felt here on Earth.
that are felt here on Earth.
Secure World Foundation, 2020
Secure World Foundation, 2020
Largely on account of the rapid increase in military technology the 20th century became the most violent period in human history. As the 21st century is now struggling with its own challenges, it is vital to find peaceful means of de-escalating tensions, rather than instigating more of them with aggressive behaviours. Therefore, there exist a multitude of reasons why a concern over the development and deployment of space weapon technology is highly justified.
The arms race in space is already on the rise. This risks repeating the mistakes
The arms race in space is already on the rise. This risks repeating the mistakes
of the Cold War, which had devastating effects on the world.
of the Cold War, which had devastating effects on the world.
Weaponisation of space can disrupt existing arms control instruments
Weaponisation of space can disrupt existing arms control instruments
which regulate nuclear weapons and missiles, among other things.
which regulate nuclear weapons and missiles, among other things.
It has the potential to escalate international tensions, by disturbing
It has the potential to escalate international tensions, by disturbing
strategic balance and stability and by undermining international and national security.
strategic balance and stability and by undermining international and national security.
The use of space weapons can devastate the Earth orbit environment
The use of space weapons can devastate the Earth orbit environment
by proliferation of space debris, which could lead to the loss of
by proliferation of space debris, which could lead to the loss of
another despicable legacy for future generations.
another despicable legacy for future generations.
The arms race in space has the potential to turn into yet another distraction
The arms race in space has the potential to turn into yet another distraction
from addressing the climate catastrophe.
from addressing the climate catastrophe.
It will be deemed "necessary" and used as an excuse for "defence"
It will be deemed "necessary" and used as an excuse for "defence"
in upcoming hardships. For example,
in upcoming hardships. For example,
Another highly competitive sector lacking in regulations, with the potential to spark conflicts.
Another highly competitive sector lacking in regulations, with the potential to spark conflicts.
Incapacitating an adversary’s satellites will be of great military advantage
Incapacitating an adversary’s satellites will be of great military advantage
and
and
We can anticipate a lot of unpredictable damage, as with
We can anticipate a lot of unpredictable damage, as with
fossil fuel burning, nuclear weapons/energy, GMOs, human waste production.
fossil fuel burning, nuclear weapons/energy, GMOs, human waste production.
It is hard to regain control once it is lost.
It is hard to regain control once it is lost.
This method of “protecting” space assets will be a costly endeavour,
This method of “protecting” space assets will be a costly endeavour,
largely avoidable through multilateral communication and legislation.
largely avoidable through multilateral communication and legislation.
To put things in perspective,
To put things in perspective,
World military spending in billions of dollars. (Image Credit: Sipri)
Only approximately $253 billion of the 2017 and 2018 total accounts for public finance. " While climate finance has reached record levels, action still falls far short of what is needed under a 1.5 ˚C scenario. Estimates of the investment required to achieve the low-carbon transition range from USD 1.6 trillion to USD 3.8 trillion annually between 2016 and 2050, for supply-side energy system investments alone (IPCC 2018), while the Global Commission on Adaptation (GCA 2019) estimates adaptation costs of USD 180 billion annually from 2020 to 2030." - Climate Policy Initiative. (Image Credit: Climate Policy Initiative )
* In 2019 this number has risen to over $1.9 trillion.
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