Space Weaponization: All you need to know about

Space weaponization is the placement of weapons in outer space or on heavenly bodies. It also involves the creation of weapons that will transit outer space or simply travel from Earth to attack or destroy targets in space. Read more about space weaponization, its impacts, and its implications.

Weaponization of space v/s militarization of space

The weaponization of space is different from the militarization of space. Militarization of space includes the usage of space-based assets for command, control, communication, surveillance, and reconnaissance activities.

Militarization of space assists armies on the conventional battlefield whereas via weaponization of space, outer space itself becomes the battlefield. Space emerges as the ‘fourth frontier of war’

Examples of space weaponization include the placement of orbital or suborbital satellites to attack enemy satellites, the use of ground-based direct ascent missiles to shoot space jets, jamming signals sent from enemy satellites, etc.

Also read: New START Treaty

Why space weaponization?

• The desire to establish military supremacy on all fronts of warfare.
• lack of faith in the present missile defence system to stall an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile.
• To preserve space assets from incoming anti-satellite weapons (ASAT).
• Space supremacy complements other areas of warfare like sea, air, and land

Implications of Space Weaponization

• Mutual suspicion: Fear of war generates competition and aggressive deployment between nations
• Threat to other commercial and scientific missions: A country that deploys a military satellite would be reluctant to disclose sensitive information like orbital and radio frequency. This affects the entire coordination system
• Space Debris: Space weaponization may further aggravate the concern of an increase in space debris. It further paves the way for Kessler’s syndrome. Want to know more about space debris and the threat that it creates?
• The monopoly of the limited number of orbital slots gets monopolized by developed countries limiting the scope for scientific and commercial explorations.

Also read: Indian Arms Import

India in the race for space power

• INCOSPAR was created under the Department of atomic energy in 1962. This was further reconstituted as the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in 1969.
• The Defense Space Agency (DSA) was created in 2019. It is expected to act as a full-fledged aerospace command.
• Defence Space Research Organisation is also expected to be established. It is expected to undertake research and development as per the strategy and policy developed by the DSA.
• Mission Shakti (Anti Satellite Missile Test)-India is now the fourth country in the world to conduct an ASAT missile test after the US, Russia, and China

Global Frameworks to Prevent Space Weaponization

• Outer Space Treaty -It was conceptualized by the United Nations in 1967. It emphasizes that the use of outer space should be peaceful and beneficial to all mankind. It claims that one nation cannot claim national sovereignty in outer space.
• Prevention of an outer space arms race-It stresses the use of space for peaceful purposes. Further, it calls for the importance of avoiding an arms race.

In news

2024: South Korea launched its second military reconnaissance satellite, days after North Korea reiterated its intention to launch multiple spy satellites this year. The satellite entered orbit after its launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the John F Kennedy Space Center in Florida in the United States.

Reconnaissance satellites

Reconnaissance satellites, also known as spy satellites, are a type of satellite deployed for military or intelligence purposes.

• These satellites are used to monitor the activities of other countries, providing imagery, signals intelligence, and data that can be crucial for national security, strategic defence, and tactical military operations.
• The capabilities of reconnaissance satellites have evolved significantly since their first deployment, becoming essential tools for governments to maintain awareness and conduct surveillance on a global scale.

Types of Reconnaissance Satellites

1. Optical Imaging Satellites: These satellites capture high-resolution images using optical cameras similar to traditional photography. They can identify objects as small as a few centimetres across, depending on the satellite’s technology and orbit. These images are used for a variety of purposes, including assessing military deployments, disaster response, and monitoring infrastructure.
2. Radar Imaging Satellites: Unlike optical satellites, radar imaging satellites can operate day and night, regardless of weather conditions. They use synthetic aperture radar (SAR) to create images by emitting radio waves and measuring the reflection back from the Earth’s surface. This capability makes them particularly valuable for surveillance in cloud-covered or foggy areas.
3. Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Satellites: SIGINT satellites are designed to intercept transmissions between people, aircraft, ships, and other vehicles. They can gather data from communications signals, radar and other electronic systems, helping to decode and understand foreign communication and electronic systems.
4. Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) Satellites: These satellites focus specifically on non-communication signals, such as radar. They are used to identify, monitor, and analyze radar frequencies to gather information about radar-equipped vehicles and installations.

Applications of Reconnaissance Satellites

• Military Operations: They are critical for gathering intelligence on enemy movements, fortifications, and activities. This information can determine military strategies and preparedness.
• Treaty Verification: Reconnaissance satellites help verify compliance with arms control treaties by monitoring nuclear test sites and missile bases.
• Environmental Monitoring: While not their primary function, these satellites can also track environmental changes and natural disasters, providing critical data for response and recovery efforts.
• Border and Maritime Security: They monitor borders and maritime approaches to detect illegal activities, such as smuggling, trafficking, and piracy.

Way Forward

• The necessity of a strong legal framework: existing space laws should be revisited to develop a new legal framework to address concerns about the weaponization of outer space.
• Space situational awareness: To increase situational awareness of space objects already in space, states should submit valid information to international institutions. This data can be further reorganized and provided as open-source information to all.
• Technology transfer– legitimate access for all states to outer space and provision of training and access to technology without discrimination should be promoted.
• Transparency-Transparency and confidence-building measures can help maintain space security by complementing a negotiated international legal instrument on outer space arms control.
• India as a global leader: India can take leadership and use international platforms to negotiate a treaty for the peaceful use of outer space.

Article written by: Vivek Rajasekharan