Security and Stability of Space: What You Need to Know

On Dec. 7, 2020, the UNGA adopted a resolution first proposed by the United Kingdom on “Reducing space threats through norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours” (A/RES/75/36). This is an important opportunity to hold multilateral discussions on how to address the threats facing the long-term sustainability, security, and stability of outer space as well as the benefits all countries derive from use of outer space. This resolution asks members of the UN to report to the Secretary-General what they deem to be threats to space security and how they view responsible behavior in space. 

SWF supports this resolution and wanted to reach out to countries and provide information to support national inputs on A/RES/75/36. As part of our support,SWF hosted a public virtual event on March 16, 2021, from 10am-11:30am ET that will share information about the current state of space security and stability and discuss potential disruptions to space capabilities that could negatively impact life on Earth. See below for video of the event.

Moderator: Daniel Porras, Secure World Foundation

Speakers: 

David Bertolotti, Eutelsat

Doug Hendrix, ExoAnalytic Solutions

Pamela Moraga, Permanent Mission of Chile to the United Nations and other International Organizations based in Geneva

Victoria Samson, Secure World Foundation

Click here for event transcript 

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In the news

Satellite operators want a seat at the table in space security discussions - SpaceNews 

Recommended Reading:

• Global Counterspace Capabilities: An Open Source Report (2020): An in-depth analysis of the offensive and defensive counterspace capabilities being developed by various countries around the world. Technologies included: direct ascent anti-satellites (ASATs), co-orbital ASATs, electronic warfare, directed energy, cyber, and space situational awareness (SSA).
  • Full report (English)
  • Executive Summary: English | French | Spanish
• Alternative Approaches and Indicators for the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space: An analysis of current arms-racing dynamics among geopolitical powers and how space is becoming an increasingly prominent aspect of that race. 
• Assessing Threats to Space Systems: Video recording of a panel discussion between Secure World Foundation and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on space threats. 
• History of Anti-Satellite Tests in Space: A compilation of the 70+ ASAT tests in space that have happened since 1958. 
• Navigating Norms for the New Space Era: Arguments for the reaching of consensus around norms across diverse disciplines.
• Towards ASAT test guidelines: An analysis of the implications of kinetic anti-satellite technology and possible guidelines for debris-creating tests. https://www.unidir.org/files/publications/pdfs/-en-703.pdf 
• The Evolution of Space Rendezvous and Proximity Operations and Implications for Space Security: PowerPoint discussion of the proliferation of rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) capabilities and the implications for space security 
• Enhancing Space Security: Time for Legally Binding Measures: An article on why legally-binding measures should be considered as part of dealing with space security challenges https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2020-12/features/enhancing-space-security-time-legally-binding-measures
• India’s ASAT test is wake-up call for norms of behavior in space: Op-ed on the need for norms of behavior on destructive anti-satellite testing and deliberate creation of orbital debris: https://spacenews.com/op-ed-indias-asat-test-is-wake-up-call-for-norms-of-behavior-in-space/ 
• Eyes on the Sky: Rethinking Verification in Space: An analysis of modern space-situational-awareness capabilities and how they might be used to effectively verify behaviours in space.

For more information, contact: Victoria Samson.