The Future of Outer Space Security

Research Paper (undergraduate) from the year 2011 in the subject Politics - Miscellaneous, grade: 90 percent (18/20), , course: Technologie de puissance et doctrine stratégique, language: English, abstract: [...] I will in this paper argue that space weaponization is inevitable and consequentially then so is

an outer space arms race. In order to fully understand the implications of this statement as

well as the logic behind this argument, it is important to have a general understanding of the

role of space in our world today, as well as to have a comprehensive concept of space security

and the general threats facing it. Therefore, before providing the arguments to support my

hypothesis, I will provide the reader with a comprehensive summary of the current space

situation and relevant concepts tied to it. I then will focus on the specific threat of space

weaponization and an outer space arms race. A discussion concerning a comprehensive

definition of what constitutes a space weapon will be provided as will a prediction of the

devastating consequences of such weapon deployment. This will be followed by an overview of preventative measures that have been taken against the deployment of space weapons, as

well as the effectiveness of these measures. After this basic summary of the current outer

space situation has been established, I will analyze the likelihood of space weapons

deployment in the future, based on recent international trends as well as the national space

policies of influential states. I will subsequently support my conclusion that space

weaponization and a space arms race are inevitable by providing theoretical arguments that

prove this point.

In order to fully understand the devastating effects space weaponization would have on our

world, it is important to be conscientious of the vast and diverse roles outer space use plays in

today¿s contemporary society.