In August, US Vice President Mike Pence declared the goal of creating the United States’ sixth military branch – the Space Force. This has revived debate surrounding the weaponisation of space, despite it being inevitable. With time comes change, and with change comes the need to adapt to this need for development. This is the reality of the world. But is the world ready?
“The exploration and use of outer space … shall be for peaceful purposes and shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interest of all countries, irrespective of their degree of economic or scientific development. … [The] prevention of an arms race in outer space would avert a grave danger for international peace and security.”
Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space – United Nations General Assembly Resolution, A/RES/55/32, January 2001
It is important to note that this breakthrough in space warfare is not a new concept but rather one that was conceived with layers of foreign policy, realism and the need to protect one’s nation from the race that has been created. During the Cold War, space expanded from a peaceful realm to become weaponised by the great powers of the time, the US and USSR. From this arena, the 1967 Outer Space Treaty was borne which established a framework for space activities and prohibited weapons of mass destruction being put in orbit. Yet, the Treaty does allow for other types of weapons anywhere other than the surface of moons, asteroids and moons.
There is no reasonable argument to prevent space’s weaponisation. We have reached the point where there is no going back on the progress that has been made – the conquest of superiority in space is underway. Treaties and obligations aside, major powers such as the US risk lagging behind the race. Those who will eventually dominate will set the rules and governance of space activities as well as have the power to deny the use of space to other nations. For a country like the US, it is not a question of if, but rather to what degree they will continue investing and funding such a program.
Although inevitable and somewhat necessary to their sovereignty and power, weaponising space leads to implications that go beyond control. Growth must also mean the prevention of a serious arms race that can very well emerge through the pursuit of power. It will be an uncomfortable realisation when the time comes that the world may be dominated from above. This will naturally lead to a push for more countries to develop their own weapons to protect themselves from the additional advantage and dominance powerful and wealthy nations will have.
General Lance Lord, the former head of the US Air Force Space Command, said in 2005 that “space superiority is not our birthright, but it is our destiny.” The conquest of space was always inevitable. We would reach a point where the world was not enough, and the US, Russia, China and other powers would have to expand.
“If we move toward the weaponisation of space, we can bid farewell to the planet. The chances of survival are very slight.”
Noam Chomsky
With expansion comes the need to regulate. A baseline of standards upon which all nations regardless of their capacities and motivations, must adhere to. On a broad level, the world was able to establish the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons setting standards for nuclear engagement. This has proved incredibly successful and has become one of the largest arms-control agreements with 190 parties. Such a baseline must be fostered in order to protect the world as well as individual nations. It is an uncomfortable feeling to know that the sky is dominated by the global powers. Even if it means some form of protection, smaller countries and less wealthy nations must be assured of their own protection against this seemingly unending pursuit for power.
The imminent creation of an American Space Force will bring about the creation of similar space forces in other countries and will continue to intensify rivalries. However, this giant leap for mankind requires a small step towards baseline standards.
