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| How Safe is Space? New Study Spotlights Anti-Satellite and Space Debris Risks |
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September 22, 2008 |
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| Anti-satellite weapons and space debris are increasing threats to the security of outer space, according to a study from the just released Space Security 2008. This annual report, issued on Sept. 21, 2008 by Project Ploughshares, details trends and developments in space from the previous year. |
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| GAO Releases New Report on Defense Space Activities |
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July 15, 2008 |
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| The Government Accountability Office report number GAO-08-831, "Defense Space Activities: DOD Needs to Further Clarify the Operationally Responsive Space Concept and Plan to Integrate and Support Future Satellites," was released on July 11, 2008. |
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| Space Security Update #3: May 21, 2008 |
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May 21, 2008 |
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| Japan’s Parliament OKs Move Toward Military Use of Space • Debris Still Around from ASAT Tests • Chilton Calls for Increased Sharing of Satellite Information • U.S. Initiates Work for New Air-Launched Missile Interceptor • GAO Worries about Lack of National Security Space Strategy • Satellite Networks Necessary for Early Missile Warning Move-Along • ISRO Successfully Launches 10 Satellites • ISRO Says Astronaut Could be a Man or a Woman • Navy Says it is Restricting Nominations to Astronaut Program • Europe’s Galileo Network Continues to Evolve • ESA Asserts GIOVE-A’s Success • Chinese SatNav to be Deployed by 2010 • Army Will Launch Satellites for the First Time in 50 Years
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| New GAO Report on Select Weapon Programs |
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April 2, 2008 |
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| The Government Accountability Office report number GAO-08-467SP, “Defense Acquisitions: Assessments of Selected Weapon Programs,” was released on March 31, 2008.
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| GAO Releases New Report on DOD Space Activities |
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April 1, 2008 |
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| The Government Accountability Office report number GAO-08-431R, “Defense Space Activities: National Security Space Strategy Needed to Guide Future DOD Space Efforts,” was released on March 27, 2008.
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| FY 09 Air Force Space Budget: Modest Increase |
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February 5, 2008 |
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| The U.S. Air Force budget request for fiscal year 2009 (FY 09) includes $11.9 billion for space programs (including research and development, procurement and operations and maintenance) – a modest increase from the FY 08 request of $11.3 billion, according to Air Force officials. Read the overview of the budget request here. |
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| Americans and Russians on Space Weapons |
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January 30, 2008 |
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| A large majority of Americans and Russians would support a treaty banning the weaponization of space, finds a recently-released poll. This was a joint study of WorldPublicOpinion.org and the Advanced Methods of Cooperative Security Program, at the Center for International and Security Studies at Maryland (CISSM). |
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| Preserving Freedom of Action in Space: Realizing the Potential and Limits of U.S. Spacepower |
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January 16, 2008 |
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| This essay from May 2007 addresses the fundamental dilemma of space power--that satellites are both vulnerable and vital. Consequently, hard power projection in and from space is an extraordinarily risky undertaking. The preservation and growth of U.S. spacepower therefore requires a comprehensive space security strategy. In this report, the authors propose a Code of Conduct for Responsible Space-Faring Nations. |
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| CDI Space Security Update #5: May 24, 2007 |
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May 24, 2007 |
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| China Builds, Launches Satellite for Nigeria • China Approves Space Development Plan • Blix Advocates Review of Outer Space Treaty • DOD Opens Office for Operationally Responsive Space • NGA Chief Open to Restricting Access to Satellite Imaging • New Visions for Glonass, Galileo |
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| CDI Space Security Update #3: April 2, 2007 |
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April 2, 2007 |
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| Galileo Development Problems Continue • Air Force Deploying Two Satellite Jamming Squadrons • Development of Next-Generation Satellites a Major U.S. Concern • India to Establish Space Academy • Strategic Command General Offers Mixed Message About Response to Chinese ASAT • Orbital Express Poised to Begin Demonstration • Falcon 1 Launch Suffers Partial Failure • NRO Satellite May Be Unrecoverable
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| Return of the Star Wars |
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January 24, 2007 |
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| In an analysis recently published in Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, CDI Director Theresa Hitchens reviews a report authored by an “independent” group of advocators for space-orbiting missile interceptors. Hitchens retaliates against the report, arguing that there is insufficient technical and cost data needed for a peer review of their claims. |
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| Alternatives for Military Space Radar: CBO Report |
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January 4, 2007 |
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| A new report by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released in January 2007 examines the performance characteristics and life-cycle costs of possible design choices for the Space Radar system. In this study, CBO outlines four alternative Space Radar architectures that could meet the system’s principal mission objectives. |
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Weapons of Terror: Freeing the World of Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Arms
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July 12, 2006 |
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| The Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission released its report "Weapons of Terror" last month to the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Chaired by Dr. Hans Blix, the independent international commission analyzed threats under which the world is living today - including 27,000 nuclear weapons - and recommended 60 proposals on how the world could be freed of nuclear, biological, chemical and space weapons. To access the report, please click here.
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| European Military Space Capabilities: A Primer |
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May 17, 2006 |
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| CDI Director Theresa Hitchens and Tomas Valasek, former director of the World Security Institute's Brussels office, provide a unique look at Europe's burgeoning military space programs in their latest publication on European security and space policy, “European Military Space Capabilities: A Primer.” Traditionally a region that concentrates on civil and commercial space applications, this comprehensive guide shows how Europe’s collective and national space projects with military capabilities have grown considerably over the years. This monograph’s introduction is made available. |
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| Space Security Update #6: April 18, 2006 |
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April 20, 2006 |
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| Chinese official discusses space plans • DOD paying for its satellites' protection; civilian satellites on their own • NRO searching for new role • ANGELS contract awarded • SpaceX fails in launch attempt • Alliant Techsystems takes chance by developing small rockets • Northrop to develop reusable Hybrid Launch Vehicle • Russian satellite suffers "sudden external impact" on orbit • Japan may allow military use of space assets |
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| Director, Operational Test & Evaluation, Releases FY 2005 Report |
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February 1, 2006 |
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| The Director, Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E) released his annual report which examines the progress of various weapon systems in the midst of development. This independent office explains what major events each program went through in FY 2005 and what problem areas should be kept an eye on. |
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| Safeguarding Space for All: Security and Peaceful Uses |
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August 30, 2004 |
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| As the peaceful uses of outer space grow in both number and scope, so too does their
importance in the day-to-day lives of people across the globe. The use of space-based
technologies is no longer the exclusive province of states with domestic space
programs; indeed the widespread dissemination of information and enhanced
communications enabled by these technologies have been instrumental in creating
the ‘global village.’ A growing number of
governments have signalled that the security of
space is of serious concern. This report, presented at the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research conference in Geneva March 25-26, 2004, includes comments from CDI's Vice President Theresa Hitchens. (Available in PDF only from UNIDIR's website.) |
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| White Paper: China's Space Activities |
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August 6, 2004 |
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| The Chinese government has all along regarded the space industry as an integral part of the state's comprehensive development strategy, and upheld that the exploration and utilization of outer space should be for peaceful purposes and benefit the whole of mankind. As a developing country, China's fundamental tasks are developing its economy and continuously pushing forward its modernization drive. The aims and principles of China's space activities are determined by their important status and function in protecting China's national interests and implementing the state's development strategy. Available on CDI's website in PDF format only |
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| What if Space Were Weaponized? Possible Consequences for Crisis Scenarios |
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August 5, 2004 |
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| Now Available in Hard Copy - This CDI Space Security monograph reviews the potentially disastrous affects of the employment of space weapons in possible future crises. The monograph overviews five "case studies" ranging from a conflict between the U.S. and China over Taiwan to the outbreak of a space war between India and Pakistan. Author Jeffrey Lewis argues that in many cases, the use of space weapons could lead to rapid escalation of hostilities -- possibly even to nuclear war. The monograph is available for order (price: $15 plus postage) on-line or by calling Stacie Robinson at (202)797-5287. |
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| Space Debris: Next Steps |
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April 1, 2004 |
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| In a new analysis, presented at a March 25-26 conference co-sponsored by the United Nations Institute on Disarmament Research and the Government of Canada, CDI Vice President Theresa Hitchens argues that new national and international measures are urgently needed to stem the creation of dangerous space debris. The paper stresses that “failure to stem the creation of space debris will undercut the security of all assets in space, increasing the likelihood of collisions and possible conflict over liability for them.” The conference, “Safeguarding Space for All: Security and Peaceful Uses,” took place in Geneva and included participation by government representatives to the Conference on Disarmament. |
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| Space Weapon Related Programs in the FY 05 Budget Request |
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March 26, 2004 |
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| It is clear from the President's FY 05 budget request that the United States is funding R&D that could, and in some cases intends to, provide capabilities in the next decade or so to fight war "in, from and through" space - as is the stated objective of the U.S. Air Force. This report identifies some key program elements and projects that are related to space-based missile defense systems, anti-satellite weapons or space-based strike weapons. The report aims to clarify the descriptions of these programs and to make recommendations about which programs should be prohibited in the authorization bill or denied funding in the appropriations bill. |
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| Developments in Military Space: Movement toward space weapons? |
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October 31, 2003 |
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| From the dawn of the space age, the two Cold War superpowers were already focusing on developing space assets for military uses. In recent decades, as the inevitable march of technology and the spread of information has quickened, the militarization of space has become more profound and embedded. While according to U.S. Air Force officials only eight to 10 countries routinely apply space capabilities to their military operations, another 40 or so nations have civil space capabilities that could eventually be applied to military uses. In this report, a condensed version of which was presented to a workshop on “Outer Space and International Security: Options for the Future,” sponsored by The Space Policy Institute at George Washington University, CDI Vice President Theresa Hitchens reviews major technological developments relevant to the militarization and potential weaponization of space. |
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U.S. Weaponization of Space:
Implications for International Security |
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October 2, 2003 |
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| In “U.S. Weaponization of Space: Implications for International Security,” CDI Vice President Theresa Hitchens argues that a near-term, unilateral move by the United States to place weapons in orbit would carry serious risks for national security and international stability. The paper was presented to a Sept. 29, 2003, workshop on “Outer Space and International Security” sponsored by the University of Maryland’s Center for International Security at Maryland
(CISSM) and the Institute for USA and Canada Studies (ISKRAN) in Moscow that brought together U.S. and Russian experts to discuss how to improve space security and find pathways to prevent weaponization.
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| New Challenges in Missile Proliferation, Missile Defense, and Space Security |
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August 27, 2003 |
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| Monterey’s CNS Occasional Paper No. 12, "New Challenges in Missile Proliferation, Missile Defense, and Space Security," takes an original bent by not attempting to handle each problem in a stand-alone manner; instead it elaborates on the linkages between the three issues. Edited by James Clay Moltz, this paper came out of a June 2003 conference and includes analysis by Dennis M. Gormley, Theresa Hitchens, David E. Mosher, Clayton K. S. Chun, Phillip J. Baines, and Brian Harvey. According to Moltz, “From the discussions at the conference, it became clear that solutions are not likely to come in a ‘one size fits all’ package. Instead, they are likely to vary across issues, with some calling for formal multilateral treaties, others bilateral cooperation, still others new forms of cooperative defense. The discussions…however, concluded that governments have not come close to exhausting the various possible options in their current deliberations.” August 2003. |
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53rd Pugwash Conference on Science and World Affair: Report |
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August 22, 2003 |
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| The working group report from the 53rd Pugwash Conference on Science and World Affairs, held in Halifax and Pugwash, Nova Scotia, Canada, July 17-21, is available. Working Group Two, composed of 22 members from 11 countries, dealt with missile defense and the weaponization of space. According to the rapporteurs, "One main recommendation was for Pugwash to initiate regional discussions on the impact of missile defense for specific regions," since they noted that missile defense and weaponization of space, while connected, would be best dealt with in different ways. As for the weaponization of space, the working group decided to embrace the following objective: "Pugwash should seek to facilitate incremental steps leading to a comprehensive space security architecture to ensure the peaceful uses of space." |
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