Since 1957, the year an artificial satellite first went into earths orbit, around 8,500 satellites have been launched, of which around 2,200 are functional. The already breakneck pace at which satellites have been hurled into space is now accelerating as one company, Elon Musks SpaceX, has reportedly been permitted to launch 12,000 small satellites, and that it plans to seek permission to launch another 30,000 satellites. SpaceX owns the biggest commercial satellite mega-constellation today, beating Planet Labs, another American company that claims to have 150 satellites in space. There are many serious implications to such an increase in satellite traffic in the earths orbit.
First, a small number of companies, mostly from one country, are starting to dominate space. Although SpaceX has emphasised civilian objectives such as providing high-speed internet even to regions with little access, there are strategic and military implications to a company from a superpower nation expanding aggressively in this field. The security implications are all the more serious as the threat of militarisation of space increases in an unstable world.
No direct confrontation has ever taken place in space but spy and reconnaissance satellites have been active for several decades, sending important military information around. Though many countries have already conducted successful anti-satellite missile tests, those are nothing compared to the future plans of the nations that want to use space as a tool to dominate the world.
In the foreword to author-academic Karl Grossmans 2001 book, Weapons in Space, Michio Kaku, a noted American theoretical physicist, wrote, The weaponisation of space presents a real threat to the security of everyone on earth It will greatly accelerate a new arms race in space, with other nations working feverishly to penetrate a US Star Wars Program, or to build one themselves.
Although the United Nations framed an Outer Space Treaty in 1967 which prohibits the weaponisation of space, particularly the use of weapons of mass destruction and owning territories in space, it has not deterred space expansionism. Both military and commercial considerations make it highly unlikely that a big leap taken by a single United States company will remain uncontested. More companies are likely to join the race in response to the ambitions of SpaceX. Many countries which lead in the development of space technology including Russia and China are likely to step up their own satellite launches. Further, it is now being reported that the United States wants to continue to unilaterally determine the limits of the Outer Space Treaty with its so-called Artemis Accords that will pursue space exploration with economic and militaristic objectives.
The Artemis Accords, although officially stated by the United States to have peaceful objectives in space exploration, can escalate tensions by opening the doors to exploitation of lunar and Mars resources. On 6 April, an executive order of the United States asserted that Americans should have the right to engage in commercial exploration, recovery, and use of resources in outer space, consistent with applicable law. Outer space is a legally and physically unique domain of human activity, and the United States does not view it as a global commons.
David P Fidler, writing in the Council on Foreign Relations, recently pointed out that this executive order only confirms what has been known for longthat the United States position on space is not universally shared, and therefore this executive order generated criticism. Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, compared the US stance to colonialism, in claiming for the United States the right to seize territories and resources in space. Similarly, Russian officials expressed unease about the Artemis Accords and their compatibility with international law, with the Roscosmos director asserting that the principle of invasion is the same, whether it be the Moon or Iraq. This reaction suggests that Russia and like-minded countries might oppose the accords in the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space or create a rival governance initiative on lunar activities, Fidler wrote. The Armetis Accords can surely escalate tensions by paving the way for exploitation of resources of the Moon and Mars, a project in which the United States is seeking bilateral allies.
It is impossible to say to what extent the assured and stated economic gains of space exploration have matched the returns, especially considering the very high costs of satellite technology research and launches. Their high cost is the reason for the constant suspicion that ultimately military objectives drive space ventures.
For the United States, the military use of space has been on the agenda for a very long time. Leading rocket engineers who were in the service of the Nazi regime were brought to America after the end of the second World War and they prepared some very destructive space warfare plans. According to media reports there were proposals for a future system of hundreds of nuclear-armed satellites.
The Outer Space Treaty specifically outlaws nuclear weapons in space but as Karl Grossman wrote back in 2001, The US is seeking to control space and from space dominate the earth below. Control and dominate are words used repeatedly in US military documents. The US military, further, would like to have weapons in space. He also said that the rest of the world will not sit back and accept American domination from space. If the US moves ahead on its program of astro-imperialism, deploys weapons in space, other nationsChina and Russiawill meet the US in kind. There will be an arms race and inevitably war in space.
Space programs have wide-ranging civilian and military implications and uses, from a communications point of view, for weather forecasting, GPS technologies and so on. However, each civilian application also has a military context. Militarisation starts with spy satellites and can extend to open warfare, including destroying or disabling satellites. Control over space is thus a way to control the planet.
Space warfare is an existential threat, but there are other more immediate threats too. With thousands of satellites in orbit, the risk of collisions increases. And military testing can dramatically increase space debris which is already a serious menace. Around 18,000 large objects have been catalogued as waste in space, but if the smallest debris are counted then the waste is estimated to be over 12 million items.
Astronomers have also been complaining of light pollution in space. James Lowenthal, an astronomer at Smith College, told the New York Times in November 2019 that having lots and lots of bright moving objects in the sky...potentially threatens the science of astronomy itself. This is because a multitude of lights erode visibility and deter scientific work that is based on satellite imagery.
One can hope that the military use of space never reaches the point of no return, but there is an urgent need to stop the domination of any country, or its companies, even beyond this planet. At the United Nations General Assembly, over 90% of nations were for stopping militarisation of space; and neither do citizens in general support space wars. However, a movement of people must pressurise the United Nations and other international organisations constantly to uphold this global commitment to peace, justice and environment protection, and ensure that space is only explored for the welfare of all living beings.
The writer is convener, Save Earth NOW Campaign. His recent books include Protecting Earth for Children. The views are personal.
The rest is here:
Nations with Narrow Goals Are Trying to Capture Outer Space - NewsClick
- Space | National Archives - January 5th, 2017 [January 5th, 2017]
- 50 Years of Presidential Visions for Space Exploration - January 30th, 2017 [January 30th, 2017]
- New 'Life' Trailer Brings Terrifying Thrills from Mars (Exclusive) - Space.com - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Obama gutted NASA. Here are 3 ways Trump can make space ... - Conservative Review - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Dassault Systemes sets eyes on space exploration, faster transport - Economic Times - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Cassini Captures Stunning View of Enceladus | Space Exploration ... - Sci-News.com - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Space Exploration: Astronauts' Brains Are Changed By Spaceflight, MRI-Based Study Reveals - International Business Times - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- TeamIndus launches Moonshot Wheels to inspire Indian rural students about Space Exploration - International Business Times, India Edition - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Belarus invites Iran to cooperate in pharmaceutical industry, space exploration - Belarus News (BelTA) - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- Cabinet briefed on India-Vietnam Framework Agreement on outer space exploration - Daily News & Analysis - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Legislation Would Require Strategic Plan for NASA Human Spaceflight - Space.com - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Trump's Vision of Space Exploration - The New American - February 10th, 2017 [February 10th, 2017]
- New NASA Leadership Inherits Rejuvenated Space Exploration Program - eNews Park Forest - February 10th, 2017 [February 10th, 2017]
- Outgoing NASA Team Leaves Its Successors With Robust Options for Space Exploration - Center For American Progress - February 11th, 2017 [February 11th, 2017]
- Space exploration brought to life for pupils - Norfolk Eastern Daily Press - February 11th, 2017 [February 11th, 2017]
- Mechs and greater space exploration are on the way in Starbound's ... - PCGamesN - February 12th, 2017 [February 12th, 2017]
- As US, Russia eye stagnant space budgets, India ramps up investment - Ars Technica - February 13th, 2017 [February 13th, 2017]
- Nuclear Reactors to Power Space Exploration - R & D Magazine - February 14th, 2017 [February 14th, 2017]
- NASA spends $2mn on 'advanced life support tech' for deep space travel - RT - February 15th, 2017 [February 15th, 2017]
- Space Exploration: Could A Habitable Planet Feature A Habitable Moon? - Forbes - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Turkmenistan Aims High as It Pledges Space Exploration - EurasiaNet - February 17th, 2017 [February 17th, 2017]
- Republicans Aim to Prioritize NASA Space Exploration Efforts Over Environmental Research - Independent Journal Review - February 18th, 2017 [February 18th, 2017]
- One huge step: Trump's plans to privatize 'low Earth orbit' and send NASA into deep space - Yahoo News - February 18th, 2017 [February 18th, 2017]
- How reusable rockets are paving the way for the next phase of space exploration - Mirror.co.uk - February 20th, 2017 [February 20th, 2017]
- NASA Funds 2 New Research Institutes to Help Humanity Explore Deep Space - Space.com - February 21st, 2017 [February 21st, 2017]
- Space Startups Are Booming in the Mojave Desert - Fortune - February 21st, 2017 [February 21st, 2017]
- Sen. Nelson Talks Space Exploration At Florida A&M University ... - WFSU - February 22nd, 2017 [February 22nd, 2017]
- DELINGPOLE: NASA to Stop Shilling for Big Green, Restart Exploring Space - Breitbart News - February 23rd, 2017 [February 23rd, 2017]
- Nuclear reactors to power space exploration - Los Alamos Monitor - February 23rd, 2017 [February 23rd, 2017]
- Space exploration programs must continue - The Eagle - February 23rd, 2017 [February 23rd, 2017]
- Editorial: Exploration can help us understand this planet - Loveland Reporter-Herald - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- NASA selects new technologies for flight tests for future space exploration - Space Daily - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- Why Does NASA Suddenly Want Humans On New Spacecraft's First Flight? - Vocativ - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- NASA seeks university-level solutions for deep space human exploration challenges - Pulse Headlines - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- Should Humans Leave Space Exploration To Robots? - Forbes - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- Space Exploration - WGN Radio - February 25th, 2017 [February 25th, 2017]
- EDITORIAL: Jumping at space travel - Indiana Daily Student - February 27th, 2017 [February 27th, 2017]
- Why the 'ultimate wearables' lie in the future of space exploration - Wareable - February 28th, 2017 [February 28th, 2017]
- How to improve SA's space program - News24 - March 1st, 2017 [March 1st, 2017]
- Darlington power plant helps fuel NASA's space exploration - CTV News - March 1st, 2017 [March 1st, 2017]
- Donald Trump Will Call For a Return of Human Space Exploration - Inverse - March 1st, 2017 [March 1st, 2017]
- What Donald Trump Said About Space Travel During His Speech - Heavy.com - March 2nd, 2017 [March 2nd, 2017]
- Trump's call for human space exploration is hugely wasteful and pointless - Los Angeles Times - March 2nd, 2017 [March 2nd, 2017]
- What is the fascination with space exploration? - Grand Valley Lanthorn - March 2nd, 2017 [March 2nd, 2017]
- Teachers attend space exploration conference, bring back lessons out of this world - Arlington Times - March 4th, 2017 [March 4th, 2017]
- Reader applauds space exploration pioneers - Fairfaxtimes.com - March 4th, 2017 [March 4th, 2017]
- Jeff Bezos Expected to Unveil Further Plans for Private Space Exploration - Wall Street Journal (subscription) - March 6th, 2017 [March 6th, 2017]
- Your Cheat-Sheet Guide to the New Space Race - Slate Magazine - March 7th, 2017 [March 7th, 2017]
- Amazon chief to announce new space exploration plans - RT - March 7th, 2017 [March 7th, 2017]
- Amazon Chief Bezos Expected to Unveil Further Private Space Exploration Plans - Fox Business - March 7th, 2017 [March 7th, 2017]
- If India or China Beats the US to Mars, It Will Feel Like a Military Defeat - Slate Magazine - March 8th, 2017 [March 8th, 2017]
- When We Explore Space, We Go Together - Slate Magazine - March 8th, 2017 [March 8th, 2017]
- How Barack Obama ruined NASA space exploration - The Hill (blog) - March 9th, 2017 [March 9th, 2017]
- Future Tense Newsletter: Space Exploration Isn't Just About Scientific Discovery - Slate Magazine (blog) - March 9th, 2017 [March 9th, 2017]
- NASA Funds 133 Projects to Aid Deep Space Exploration - PC Magazine - March 9th, 2017 [March 9th, 2017]
- A Trinity professor will play a big role in space exploration - thejournal.ie - March 11th, 2017 [March 11th, 2017]
- Congress Passes Space Exploration Act, Targets Mars - America Now - March 11th, 2017 [March 11th, 2017]
- Russia Aims to Develop New Cooperation in Space Exploration - Sputnik International - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- NASA Announces 2017 'Chroniclers,' Recognizing Those Who ... - SpaceCoastDaily.com - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- The Pros And Cons Of Privatizing Space Exploration - Forbes - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Space Exploration Experts Look to Next Frontiers at Event - UMass Lowell - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- CNSA boss outlines China's space exploration agenda - SpaceNews - SpaceNews - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- These Are the Wildly Advanced Space Exploration Concepts Being ... - Gizmodo - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation - Wikipedia - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- A Brief History of Space Exploration - The Aerospace Corporation - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Americans Like Spending Money on Space Exploration, Survey Finds - Inverse - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Launch of India's biggest rocket is a defining moment in space exploration - DailyO - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Space Matter: The Trouble with Spacesuits :: Science :: Features ... - Paste Magazine - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- China willing to cooperate in peaceful space exploration: Xi - Space Daily - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Pence reiterates plans to reestablish the National Space Council - SpaceNews - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- Space Exploration: Can Private Companies Operate in Space? - Law Street Media (blog) - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- Space Exploration Game 'Outreach' Receives First Gameplay Trailer ... - Hardcore Gamer - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- Will Space Exploration lead us to a Global Space Agency - Space Daily - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- The Origami of Space Exploration - Scientific American (blog) - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- Ocean vs Space: Exploration and the Quest to Inspire the Public - Marine Technology News - June 8th, 2017 [June 8th, 2017]
- A 3D-printed rocket engine just launched a new era of space exploration - The Independent - June 8th, 2017 [June 8th, 2017]
- Belarus' drive for peaceful space exploration underlined - Belarus News (BelTA) - June 8th, 2017 [June 8th, 2017]
- Here's why you should pay close attention to India's space program - Mashable - June 9th, 2017 [June 9th, 2017]
- China to provide more opportunities to private companies for space exploration - Space Daily - June 9th, 2017 [June 9th, 2017]
- Space exploration: The solutions to land scarcity - Real Estate Weekly - June 10th, 2017 [June 10th, 2017]