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Space

  • U.S. Moves Forward on Space Policy
    Arms Control Today
    March 3, 2011

    The Obama administration has clarified its space policy but has not said whether it will join a voluntary code of conduct that has prompted questions from a large group of Republican senators.

  • UN Tackles Disarmament Machinery
    Arms Control Today
    December 5, 2010

    Following a rare high-level meeting of UN members in September discussing ways to “revitalize” UN bodies addressing disarmament and nonproliferation, this year’s First Committee deliberations paid considerable attention to the role and methods of the international “disarmament machinery.”
  • Revised Space Code Advances
    Arms Control Today
    November 4, 2010

    The European Union in late September adopted a revised draft code of conduct for outer space activities after receiving feedback on text circulated in December 2008. (See ACT, January/February 2009.) Endorsed by the EU as a basis for consultation with additional countries, the voluntary code may be opened for signature as early as next year.
  • New U.S. Space Policy Open to Arms Control
    Arms Control Today
    September 3, 2010

    The Obama administration this summer announced a new space policy that marks a break with the previous administration by being more receptive to arms control efforts.

    According to the document, released June 28, that spells out the policy, Washington will “consider proposals and concepts for arms control measures if they are equitable, effectively verifiable, and enhance the national security of the United States and its allies.” The new policy also calls on governmental agencies to “pursue bilateral and multilateral transparency and confidence-building measures.”
  • Panel Discussion - The New National Space Policy: Prospects for International Cooperation and Making Space Safer for All - Transcript Now Available
    ACA Events
    July 1, 2010

    Panelists: Marcia Smith, Ben Baseley-Walker, and Bruce MacDonald
  • News Briefs
    Arms Control Today
    May 5, 2010
  • Making a Mark in Space: An Analysis of Obama’s Options For a New U.S. Space Policy
    Arms Control Today
    October 5, 2009

    The change of U.S. administrations creates the opportunity for a broad assessment of the country’s space policy, starting with some basic questions.

    What should the goal of national space policies be? Are they trying to ensure freedom of action for certain states and not others? Does the definition of “freedom of action” need to be updated to reflect the increasing number of space actors? Should the focus be on establishing future cooperative efforts in space, or is space being preserved just for its own sake?
  • South Korea Attempts First Space Launch
    Arms Control Today
    September 4, 2009

    South Korea carried out its inaugural space launch attempt Aug. 25, seeking for the first time to place a satellite in orbit using its own rocket. South Korean officials described the launch as “partially successful,” as the on-board satellite overshot its intended orbit. South Korea is planning another attempt next year, Education and Science Minister Ahn Byong-man said at a press conference following the unsuccessful orbit. (Continue)
  • U.S., Allies Warn Against NK Space Launch
    Arms Control Today
    March 31, 2009

    The United States, Japan, and South Korea warned North Korea in March that its intended satellite launch would violate a UN Security Council resolution prohibiting Pyongyang's missile activities, indicating that the council would consider the issue in the event of such a launch. North Korea maintains that the launch is only for civil space purposes and has provided information to UN agencies on the timing and route of its space launch vehicle. (Continue)
  • Chinese-U.S. Strategic Affairs: Dangerous Dynamism
    Arms Control Today
    January 16, 2009

    Many aspects of the Chinese-U.S. relationship are mutually beneficial: some $400 billion in trade, bilateral military exchanges, and Beijing's increasingly constructive diplomatic role. There are other grounds for concern. Each side's militaries view the other as a potential adversary and increasingly make plans and structure their forces with that in mind.

    On the conventional side, there are many important areas to consider, but the potential for nuclear rivalry raises monumental risks. This article assesses the dangers in the bilateral nuclear relationship, the potential for traditional arms control to address these challenges, the broadening of the "strategic" military sphere, and the issue of proliferation beyond the bilateral relationship. (Continue)