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An Argument For Deployment Of Space Weapons

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An Argument for the Deployment of US Space Weapons Like air and sea-power before it, space is soon to be the next battlefield for nation-states in the international system. Currently, the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 only prohibits the deployment of weapons of mass destruction, opening the door for space-faring actors to deploy weapons in space, if they so choose. But what constitutes a space weapon? Moreover, just because the US can, should it use its comparative advantage to weaponize space? To be sure, space weapons are not simply weapons deployed in space. Space weapons can vary from a system designed to interfere with another actor’s communication abilities to ground-to-air anti-satellite missiles. Peter Kamocsai defines space weapons …show more content…

Increasingly, the US relies on satellite communication to conduct military operations which perpetuate its role as a global hegemon. As the US continues to exploit space to maintain its global position, rival actors may attempt to disrupt its capabilities by developing space weapons. Therefore, the only way to safeguard US space assets is to readily employ a range of space weapons that, at a moment’s notice, can deny, disrupt or destroy another actor’s space capabilities. Scholars argue that if the US were to openly deploy space weapons, other actors may wish to do the same leading to a potential arms race. While possible, an arms race of space weaponry does not necessarily impact the security of US assets in space. Realistically, many nation-states either cannot afford to stockpile space weapons or do not possess the technical ability to be able to. Moreover, because of the relative costs and risks associated with space weapons, actors looking to disrupt the US’ capabilities may look to do so …show more content…

Others may think that the deployment of space weapons is unnecessary or a waste of the US’ resources. At this stage, it would be easy to come to that conclusion because no one has yet to threaten or destroy US assets in space. Nevertheless, as technology allows more nation-states to access Earth’s orbit, the risk of other actors targeting US space assets increases. The US should prepare for this inevitability by preparing to responsibly deploy space

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