Russia accuses U.S. of seeking to weaponise outer space

Sub: Science and tech

Sec: Defence

Tag: weaponise outer space

Context:

Russia accused the US of seeking to place weapons in space for military confrontation.

Details:

This accusation followed the US veto of a Russian non-proliferation motion at the UN.
In February, the US expressed concern over Russia’s anti-satellite capability, fearing nuclear weapons in orbit.
Both countries have proposed rival non-proliferation motions at the UN.
Russia vetoed the US initiative last month, and the US, Britain, and France blocked Russia’s proposal on 20 May.
Russia criticized the US initiative for focusing only on nuclear weapons.
Despite tensions, the US and Russia still cooperate in space, sharing crew transport to the ISS.

Weaponization of Space vs. Militarization of Space

Weaponization of Space	Militarization of Space
Space itself becomes the battlefield Includes placing orbital or suborbital satellites to attack enemy satellites Uses ground-based direct ascent missiles to shoot down space jets Involves jamming signals from enemy satellites	Usage of space-based assets for command, control, communication, surveillance, and reconnaissance Assists armies on the conventional battlefield Space is the ‘fourth frontier of war’

Why Space Weaponization?

Establish military supremacy on all fronts of warfare
Lack of faith in current missile defense systems against Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs)
Preserve space assets from anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons
- Anti-satellites (ASATs) are weapons designed to destroy or disable satellites in orbit.
- They can be ground-based, air-based, or space-based. ASATs can use various methods to attack satellites, including kinetic impact, lasers, and directed energy weapons.
Space supremacy complements sea, air, and land warfare

Implications of Space Weaponization:

Mutual Suspicion: Fear of war leads to competition and aggressive deployment between nations
Threat to Commercial and Scientific Missions: Military satellites’ secrecy affects coordination systems due to undisclosed orbital and radio frequency information
Space Debris: Increases space debris, potentially leading to Kessler’s syndrome
- The Kessler Syndrome is a theoretical concept where the growth of space debris can lead to an escalating chain reaction of collisions, rendering Earth’s orbit overpopulated with objects and debris. This would make Earth’s orbit unusable for future space activities.
Monopoly of Orbital Slots: Developed countries monopolize limited orbital slots, restricting scientific and commercial explorations

Global Frameworks to Prevent Space Weaponization:

Outer Space Treaty 1967- It was conceptualized by the United Nations in 1967. It emphasizes that the use of outer space should be peaceful and beneficial to all mankind. It claims that one nation cannot claim national sovereignty in outer space.
Prevention of an outer space arms race- It stresses the use of space for peaceful purposes. Further, it calls for the importance of avoiding an arms race.

Outer Space Treaty, 1967:

The treaty provides the basic framework for international space law.
The exploration and use of outer space shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all countries and shall be the province of all mankind.
Outer space shall be free for exploration and use by all States.
Outer space is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means.
States shall not place nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in orbit or on celestial bodies or station them in outer space in any other manner.
The Moon and other celestial bodies shall be used exclusively for peaceful purposes.
Astronauts shall be regarded as the envoys of mankind.
States shall be responsible for national space activities whether carried out by governmental or non-governmental activities.
States shall be liable for damage caused by their space objects.
States shall avoid harmful contamination of space and celestial bodies.