Reaching Critical Will

Militarization and Weaponization
There is a difference between militarization and weaponization of space. Space has been militarized since the earliest communication satellites were launched. Today, militaries all over the world rely heavily on satellites for command and control, communication, monitoring, early warning, and navigation with the Global Positioning System (GPS). Therefore, most states accept that "peaceful purposes" include military uses, even those which are not at all peaceful - such as using satellites to direct bombing raids or to orchestrate a "prompt global strike" capability.

Although space is heavily militarized, it is not yet weaponized. Space weaponization is generally understood to refer to the placement in orbit of space-based devices that have a destructive capacity. Many experts argue that ground-based systems designed or used to attack space-based assets also constitute space weapons, though are not technically part of the "weaponization of outer space" since they are not placed in orbit. Some also argue that weapons that travel through space in order to reach their targets, such as hypersonic technology vehicles, also constitute the weaponization of space. Many elements of the US ballistic missile defense system currently being developed or planned could constitute space weapons as well, as many possess dual-use characteristics, allowing them to destroy space assets as well as ballistic missiles.

The weaponization of outer space
The weaponization of space will destroy strategic balance and stability, undermine international and national security, and disrupt existing arms control instruments, in particular those related to nuclear weapons and missiles. These effects will inevitably lead to a new arms race. Space weaponization would seriously disrupt the arms control and disarmament process. US ground- and sea- based missile defenses have already increased tensions with Russia. The deployment of US space-based missile defenses will likely cause Russia as well as the United States (in response to Russia) to make smaller and smaller reductions of their nuclear arsenals. China would likely be forced to build more warheads to maintain its nuclear deterrent, which could in turn encourage India and then Pakistan to follow suit.

Space debris
Besides creating an new arms race, the weaponization of space means proliferation of space debris. Such debris, resulting from 50 years of space activity, already poses a considerable hazard to spacecraft. This crowding problem could worsen as a large number of space weapons could be deployed in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The launching and testing of weapons would also increase space debris. Moreover, deploying space-based weapons in the increasingly crowded realm of LEO would leave less room for civilian systems. Those problems would also occur during periods of peace. If a number of satellites were to be destroyed during the course of a war, some scientists warn, they would create so much debris that it would prevent future satellites from being stationed in space and generally limit space access.

Updates from 2007
In 2007, several developments both fostering and undermining space security occurred. In January 2007, China tested an anti-satellite weapon against one of its own ageing weather satellites. The United States, while condemning the test, forged ahead with several space and missile defence projects with dual-use capabilities. On the other hand, the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and the General Assembly adopted debris mitigation guidelines, and several states submitted proposals on space security to the Secretary-General pursuant to GA resolution 61/75. Substantive discussions on the prevention of an arms race in outer space (PAROS) were included in the CD’s proposed programme of work in 2007, and discussion on a treaty to prevent the placement of weapons of outer space gained popularity in CD sessions. Since 2004, the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research has held seminars in the CD chamber on space security issues. These conferences have generated food for thought, and promoted informal, confidence-building dialogues.

A treaty on the prevention of an arms race in outer space (PAROS)
Through resolutions and discussions within the United Nations, a general agreement has developed that an arms race in outer space should be prevented. However, due to the structure of the international legal regime and to the objection of a (very) few states, a treaty has not yet been negotiated to comprehensively prevent the deployment of weapons in space or to prevent an arms race in outer space. The United States systematically argues that an arms race in outer space does not yet exist, and it is therefore unnecessary to take action on the issue. The rest of the international community agrees that, because there is not yet an arms race, now is the time to prevent weaponization of space.

A treaty on the prevention of placement of weapons in outer space (PPW)
Some delegations and experts have argued that PAROS is not the most relevant term or treaty to pursue. Discussion in the Conference on Disarmament has recently focused instead on a treaty to prevent the placement of weapons in outer space. Changing the language in this way circumvents the US argument against PAROS, though it doesn't solve questions of definitions over where outer space begins, what type of weapons should be prohibited, or if the treaty would be verifiable.

On 12 February 2008, Russia's Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, addressed the Conference and presented a joint Russia-China draft Treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space, the Threat or Use of Force against Outer Space Objects (PPWT). It is the first draft treaty on this issue formally introduced to the CD, though it is based on elements proposed in a working paper to the CD in June 2002 by Russia, China, Viet Nam, Indonesia, Belarus, Zimbabwe, and Syria. Minister Lavrov explained the draft treaty is designed “to eliminate existing lacunas in international space law, create conditions for further exploration and use of space, preserve costly space property, and strengthen general security and arms control.”

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Outer space is said to be used only for peaceful purposes. Although the term "peaceful purposes" was never clearly defined, it was accepted that this included military, commercial, scientific, and development uses.

Military use of space
Space has been militarized since the earliest communication satellites were launched. Today, militaries all over the world rely heavily on satellites for command and control, communication, monitoring, early warning, and navigation with the Global Positioning System (GPS). Therefore, most states accept that "peaceful purposes" include military uses, even those which are not at all peaceful - such as using satellites to direct bombing raids or to orchestrate a "prompt global strike" capability.

Commercial use of space
Commercial expansion into space is a rapidly growing area of development and financial investment. The commercial satellite use for communication, remote sensing, navigation, and television is growing faster than any other space sector, and its growth is forecasted to continue as demand increases for faster internet access, direct television, and wireless services. Deploying weapons in space threatens the security of satellites and of access to outer space for commercial and civilian use, but the commercial sector has remained pretty quiet in the debate about weaponization of outer space. This might be caused by corporations, which have both military and commercial interests. Those companies that don't have any link to the military should be prepared to put pressure on governments and make it more difficult to neglect the danger of weaponization in outer space.

Scientific use of space
At the core of all commercial and military space development is a legacy of scientific experimentation. Russia, Japan, Europe, and the United States have strong space programs, all emphasizing scientific discovery. The benefits nations derive from space science and an improved understanding of the earth and the universe lend weight to the need to prevent space weaponization.

Space and Development
The Millennium Declaration, adopted in September 2000 by all member states of the United Nations, defines a key framework for global cooperation in the 21st century. Space-based technologies and space in a broader sense offer significant and unique solutions to many of the target goals set by the Millennium Declaration. Sustainable development requires an up-to-date and comprehensive information base to support planning and decision-making. Spatial data, acquired by either space- or ground-based means, is an increasingly important part of this information base. The Internet and satellite communication services allow for dynamic information sharing and exchange between partners in sustainable development, thus enhancing the benefits of complementary activities.

For example, satellite images provide information about land cover, land use, difficult areas like forests, deserts and swamps, areas undergoing rapid environmental change, effects of natural disasters, impacts of pollution and war-torn regions. The recent tsunami disaster in the Indian Ocean demonstrated the extent that space technologies can contribute to emergency response and disaster reduction. These technologies have proven useful in the risk assessment, mitigation, and preparedness phases of disaster management. As the global community learned from the tsunami event, space technologies have also a central role to play in providing early warning to communities that are at risk. But in order for developing countries to be able to incorporate the use of space technology-based solutions, there is a need to increase awareness, build national capacity, and develop solutions that are customized and appropriate to the needs of the developing world.