Russia’s attack on its own satellite could put all of us in danger
The attack created over 1,500 pieces of trackable debris that will remain in orbit well into the 2040s
Debris and condemnation
For decades,major space-faring nations have tested a variety of weapons with the capabilitiy to destroy space objectsand launch attacks on Earth from space. The latest kinetic weapon test has created not just debris in space, but also sent shock waves around the world.
Stray and uncontrolled debris travels multiple times faster than a bullet, and can easily disable or even destroy the satellites that we depend on forbasic but critical activities. Satellites facilitate banking transactions, land and ocean management, search and rescue operations and weather monitoring, among other things.
Calling the action “reckless and irresponsible,” the United States issued a statement announcing that debris created by the latest weapons test in space will threaten “space objects that are vital to all nations’ security, economic and scientific interests for decades to come.”
The NATO secretary general also expressed that this “reckless act” will pose a threat to civilian activities and “important space capabilities for basic infrastructure on Earth like communications, like navigation, or like early warning of missile launches.”
Condemnations of this single event were echoed inFrance, theUnited KingdomandSouth Korea.
Various space industry associations and businesses have expressedconcerns about Russia’s latest act. These concerns are not only limited to the increased risk to multi-million dollar space assets, but also the cost that may be incurred in manoeuvring satellites to avoid possible collisions with the new debris created by the Russian ASAT.
A more upsetting possibility is that other countries may be encouraged to follow suit and conduct similar weapons tests in space, thereby exacerbating rising geopolitical tensions and accelerate an arms race in space.
Space is not a vacuum
Space activities are subject to extensive laws and regulations. In 1958, it was universally agreed thatall nations have a “common interest” in outer space, and that space should be used for “peaceful purposes.”
The 1967 Outer Space Treaty, one of the most widely accepted international instruments, obliges governments to conduct space activities “for the benefit and in the interests of all countries,” and with due regard to space activities of other nations. Though not expressly prohibited, destructive acts in space can have global impacts and are contrary to established principles of international law.
Despite the latest weapons test, there are ongoing initiatives to safeguard the safety, security and sustainability of outer space. For over three decades, the United Nations hasannually called on nations to prevent an arms race in outer space.
Together with China, Russia itself has been an active supporter of abinding treaty to outlaw the use of force against space objects. If this treaty had been adopted, it would have prohibited the very kind of act that was just undertaken.
Civil society initiatives toclarify the law as it applies to military activities in outer spaceare ongoing.
A letter — initiated by the Vancouver-based Outer Space Institute and signed by academics, policymakers and legal experts — addressed to the president of the UN General Assembly urged the adoptionof a treaty that would ban the testing of anti-satellite weapons.
Actions speak louder than words
Space is widely recognized as being the “ultimate high ground,” meaning that it holds significant strategic and military value.The U.S., China and India, major space-faring nations, have also tested a variety of ASAT weapons and capabilities to destroy their respective objects in space.
Russia’s ASAT test is worrying as it may normalize unilateral actions in space that jeopardize the common interests of all countries. More worrying is the fact that this may not be the last action of its kind given thedisparity that often exists between the condemnations and actions undertaken by governments.
However, space is also a shared global commons, which must be used in a responsible, safe and sustainable manner by all. Earlier this year, G7 leaders recognized that “the orbit of our planet is a fragile and valuable environment that is becoming increasingly crowded” and that “all nations must act together” to safeguard it.
It is imperative the international community unites to dissuade tensions in outer space, and urgently halt all reckless and irresponsible acts that will impact present and future generations.
Article byKuan-Wei Chen, Executive Director, Centre for Research in Air and Space Law,McGill University;Bayar Goswami, Arsenault Doctoral Fellow at the Institute of Air and Space Law,McGill University, andRam S. Jakhu, Full Professor, Acting Director, Institute of Air and Space Law,McGill University
This article is republished fromThe Conversationunder a Creative Commons license. Read theoriginal article.
Story byThe Conversation
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