Will outer space be weaponized?
Will outer space be weaponized?

Author(s): Miroslav Tůma
Subject(s): International Law, Government/Political systems, International relations/trade, Security and defense, Military policy
Published by: Ústav mezinárodních vztahů
Keywords: use of space; Earth’s orbit; weaponization of outer space; Missle Defense Review; International law;
Summary/Abstract: This essay discusses the main elements of the American security document called the Missile Defense Review 2019, which was presented by the US Ministry of Defense in January 2019. It covers the possible reasons for the postponed publication of the document and informs about the main legal documents dealing with the peaceful use of space. It compares the current document with the similar one from 2010, which was published by the Obama administration. It also focuses on the possibility of the deployment of US space-based interceptors in the Earth’s orbit. In this context it analyses the possible negative consequences of such a development, especially that it could lead to the beginning of a phase of a high risk weaponizations of outer space and the start of an arms race in that domain.

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