Taking back space: Preventing and reducing the proliferation of space weapons

Scott A.

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Taking back space: Preventing and reducing the proliferation of space weapons

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Abstract

Weapons proliferation in outer space is not a thing of the future or something of science fiction. It is real and it is happening right now. The advancement of weapons technology continues to grow exponentially as does mankind's exploration of space. Controlling weapons technology in outer space gives military regimes an advantage in modern warfare that wasn't even possible fifty years ago. These new advances allow for better command and control of ground troops and offer new possibilities for space to ground weapons. There is also a possibility of the development of new weapons of mass destruction (WMD) that could be launched from outer space.

Introduction.
Space weapons.
1. knowing what types of space weapons are being developed.
2. Space-to-ground weapons.
3. Weapons development and technology.
4. The recent destruction of a weather satellite by the Chinese military.
Problem.
1. The problem the nonproliferation regime has to deal with.
2. Weapons manufacturers.
3. The question of why weapons proliferation should be stopped.
Changing the culture.
1. Changing the culture of societies that have flourished and thrived from warfare.
2. Media programs and advertisements
3. The military industrial complex.
4. Changing the culture of the American public.
5. Changing the language used by government bodies.
Disarming the proliferators.
1. Security Council Resolution 1540.
2. The leader in military and civilian use of outer space.
Conclusion.
Bibliography.

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Extract

[...] Limiting advancements and changing the direction of space weapons development can help the nonproliferation regime in the fight to take back space. Problem The problem the nonproliferation regime has to deal with is two faced. Besides the trickery and deceit involved in verification and monitoring techniques the IAEA and other organizations have to deal with cultural influences on proliferation and actual proliferation itself. The problem of weapons proliferation in outer space is one that originated though cultural influences which need to be countered in order for nonproliferation efforts to succeed. [...]

[...] Other countries seek to reach the level of space technology that the United States has and are determined to build new weapons and multipurpose space devices in order to compete in the world market. The desire for such needs is what has to be addressed for the non-proliferation regime to succeed in demilitarizing space. Disarmament and enforcement procedures of anti-space weapon's policies are to be addressed secondly. Today's weapons manufacturers include Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and others, but tomorrow there could be more, all with different names. [...]

[...] By ridding itself of WMD's and space weapons the United States will garner more support from the international community who will be more willing to accept the United States as a world leader. Further trust will also allow for more cooperation in the United Nations where nonproliferation standards must be regulated and controlled. Conclusion The reason I have chosen to explore the problems concerning the proliferation of space with WMD's is because I feel as though there is a need to understand the future of warfare on earth which relies more and more on the use of space technologies. [...]

[...] The purpose of this paper is to explain what technologies exist and what contributed to their development so that we can better understand how to contain the proliferation of space weapons. Space Weapons It is difficult to know what types of space weapons are being developed because of the high confidentiality of their nature; however it is easy to see that military conquests of space have complicated non-proliferation policies immensely. New weapons systems orbiting space have the potential of causing mass destruction at much larger degrees then previously known WMD's. [...]

[...] Although the mass public may never change their culture so much as to give up armies and personal guns, there is a possibility to change cultural structures that would allow for the elimination of space weapons and WMD's. The target audience is not only the mass public who have been swept into this militant type culture, but also the scientists and weapons makers who feed it. The tool to use on this audience is the same one used by the weapons and technologies industries; the media. [...]

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