The authors argue that on the 50th anniversary of the Space Age, the international community should take steps to regulate military competition and space debris to "protect our future in space as well as security on Earth."
Human security and technologies from cell phones to weather forecasts are more at risk than ever from anti-satellite weapons and space junk, said a new research report on space security.
[ Link to Full Report (PDF) ]
Almost three weeks after the successful test of a Chinese anti-satellite weapon, the US military has catalogued more than 500 pieces of debris created by the destruction of the obsolete weather satellite Watchdog groups are keeping a keen eye on the space junk, and are using data from the military to learn more about the weapon's capabilities.
Trash from China's satellite-killing missile test has spread widely in space, creating a debris cloud that could jeopardize spy satellites and commercial imagery satellites in low orbits around Earth.
An overview of the U.S. Air Force's space situational awareness efforts which strive to "enhance its knowledge of what's in orbit, as well as its ability to know if American space systems are under attack."
Jeffrey Lewis argues that the key issues faced by all space-faring nations -- orbital debris, orbital crowding and improving transparency in outer space -- demand international cooperation, especially from China.
Taylor Dinerman looks at how proposed international regulations to combat space debris will affect U.S. plans for anti-satellite warfare.
CDI Vice President Theresa Hitchens believes that ?new-found zeal at DoD for developing space-based weapons both for missile defense and counterspace (i.e. anti-satellite) operations aimed at achieving space control? may hurt the space environment. Namely, these space activities stand a very real chance of creating debris that could have catastrophic consequences for our space assets.
A U.S. Defense Department report says tests of space-based missile interceptors that could take place beginning in 2012 will create debris that could threaten the international space station, space shuttles and satellites in low Earth orbit.
[ Link to Full Study ]
The Henry L. Stimson Center has developed a model international Code of Conduct to prevent dangerous military activities in space. Key provisions include avoiding collisions and dangerous maneuvers in space; prohibiting simulated attacks and anti-satellite tests in space; and adopting more stringent space debris mitigation measures.