What is Weaponization of Space?

 The weaponization of space includes placing weapons in outer space or on heavenly bodies as
well as creating weapons that will travel from Earth to attack or destroy targets in space.
Examples include the placing of orbital or suborbital satellites with the intention of attacking
enemy satellites, using ground-based direct ascent missiles to attack space assets, jamming
signals sent from enemy satellites, using lasers to incapacitate enemy satellites, plasma attacks,
orbital ballistic missiles, and satellite attacks on Earth targets.

 Space weapons can be further classified into direct-energy and kinetic-energy weapons.

 Weaponization of space is distinctly different from militarization of Space. While the former
entails placing weapons in the space or treating space as a battleground, the latter is simply
using space to assist ground based military operations.In present day, militaries around the
world rely heavily on data generated by the satellites. Space warfare can basically be studied in
three ways:

o auxiliary systems, which can assist in warfare on other terrains;

o defensive systems, which are required to protect these space assets;

o weaponized systems – which are purely offensive in nature

Background -The history of space weaponization goes back to the 1960s when the Soviets first
tested the “hunter killer” low orbit satellite system. However, it remained under wraps as
countries around the world lobbied for no weapons policy. It has now again come to the foray
with China pursuing ambitious space weaponization programs that poses serious threats to
military giants like the US

 Chinese efforts of space weaponization are in sharp contrast to its efforts to push for Prevention
of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS) treaty. It has even submitted a draft treaty to the UN
along with Russia. A PAROS treaty would complement and reaffirm the importance of the 1967
Outer Space Treaty, which aims to preserve space for peaceful uses by prohibiting the use of
space weapons, the development of space-weapon technology, and technology related to
“missile defense.” The treaty would prevent any nation from gaining a military advantage in
outer space.

How is India Keeping Up?

o India has made impressive developments with its Agni–V Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile.
DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organization) believes that it can harness this
technology to develop ASAT weaponry. ISRO recent success with PSLV and GSLV-D5 launch
vehicles has made equipped enough to undertake space weaponization activities. India
recently launched GSAT-7 for the Indian Navy. This is being viewed as the beginning of a long
line of defense satellites that it will pursue.
 Impacts of Space Weaponization

1. Space Weaponization by any country may result in an arms race in outer space.

2. Creation of space debris: When China tested its ASAT missile in 2007 destroying one
of its own weather satellites, it created close to 2500 pieces of space debris. In 2013,
a Russian Satellite was destroyed by one such piece. Therefore, space weaponization
has increased the risk for satellites in Low Earth Orbits (LEO).

Steps to be taken

 A stringent “no space weaponization” policy needs to formulated and adhered to by all
countries in order to protect the interest of all.
 Ban should be extended on production, testing and deployment of weapons in space.
 A monitoring system must be established so as to catch violators.
 Rules must be formulated for satellite based military assistance.
 The UN Outer Space Treaty only talks about using the space about peaceful purposes.
 Issues like militarization and weaponization must be worded out.