The Era Of Space Expansion Influences And The Threats
To The U.S. Presence In Space
By Jennifer Hesterman and Alexandra Sosa
Space-based capabilities play a critical role in our everyday
lives. They control our virtual finances, transportation systems,
home electronics, global communications, and more. The applications
of these new assets are equally relevant in both the civilian
and military sectors. As such, we are becoming more dependent
on yearly exploration and expansion of the cosmos. Subsequently,
new threats have emerged in the latest iteration of “the
space race.”
The new era of recognition compelled many countries to create
or improve their space capabilities. In addition to state actors,
many companies are involved in cosmos commercialization. Nations
are separating their space agencies into civil and military, creating
specific goals and resources for militarization. The race to become
the most substantial presence has placed a target on the United
States' back, resulting in the development of new resources to
assist with foreign counter-space missions. As space presence
develops, state and non-state agencies aid each other in meeting
aligned goals. The growth of the aerospace market will boost the
development of military and civilian capabilities, allowing for
better technology, communications, and prevention. Following the
lead of the United States, China and Russia are heavily invested
in strengthening their space programs for military purposes. Both
countries are engaged in the moon and Mars exploration missions,
intending to exploit new natural resources. Other countries like
North Korea and Iran will keep working to create new assets and
strengthen their current ones. As a result, space will become
more crowded, and the world will face unique risks.
Dr. Jennifer Hesterman is a retired Air Force colonel and counterterrorism
expert with over 36 years of experience in national and homeland
security. She specializes in emergent threats and, as an operator
and leader in the analog astronaut community, is uniquely positioned
to examine opportunities and risks related to space operations
and exploration. The following interview with Dr. Hesterman expands
on the topics of space security, militarization, commercialization,
the civilian astronaut program, and the risks that may come with
overcrowding.
Q & A
Why is space security important?
Space is a vital resource which impacts national and homeland
security, facilitates the ability to communicate and navigate,
and has a direct and significant impact on our economy and prosperity.
Activities in near space with the International Space Station,
and soon, on the Moon and beyond, make unique and inimitable
contributions to science which help solve daunting problems
here on Earth. Space also sparks our sense of discovery and
exploration, pushing us to tackle difficult challenges and work
together on solutions through international partnerships. Most
importantly, space is for all nations and people. Therefore,
we need to protect access to space and ensure it is not exclusive
or exploited. There are five international treaties that underpin
space law, overseen by the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful
Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS). The Outer Space Treaty was the
first and most foundational legal instrument of space law. The
agreement entered into force on October 10, 1967 and 112 countries,
including all major spacefaring nations, are signatories.
The treaty contains several increasingly important provisions,
namely that space will be freely explored and used by all nations
and it bans the placement of nuclear, chemical and biological
weapons in Earth’s orbit. The treaty also limits the use
of the Moon and all other celestial bodies to peaceful purposes
and states no country can claim sovereignty over outer space or
any celestial body. Similar to international treaties related
to the protection of the environment and the use of cyberspace,
the Outer Space Treaty mainly relies on cooperation of the signatories.
The only framework for enforcement or punitive activities falls
under UNCOPUOS, which can convene a tribunal, or court of justice,
to address activities counter to the treaty’s intent. A
potential challenge to the “space for all” concept
relates to the Tragedy of Commons theory, which asserts that when
resources are available to all people they could be hoarded and
depleted. This is another compelling reason for governing bodies,
treaties and laws related to space business exploration. At the
micro-level, we should be concerned about securing space facilities,
operations, proprietary information and personnel similar to other
sectors. For example, we need a robust insider threat program
to prevent espionage, sabotage, theft, and nefarious cyber acts.
Could you speak about the militarization of space and the need
of a Space Force?
Why is having space dominance such a milestone for global powers
like United States, China, and Russia?
When considering the present situation, we should remember the
historical context of space dominance, rooted in the ballistic
missile-based nuclear arms race between the U.S and the Soviet
Union following World War II. When the Soviet Union launched the
world's first artificial satellite, Sputnik-1 on October 4, 1957,
the beach-ball sized craft incited concern among U.S. policymakers
that the country had fallen behind. This led to an acceleration
of space and arm-related programs, or the “Space Race,” a
competition to launch satellites and humans into space and be
the first to land on the moon. Perhaps the current force behind
space militarization lies in a key tenet and strategy of warfare
- for the military to “control the high ground.” In
battle, air forces seek to achieve air supremacy for complete
control of the skies over the battlefield or desired area, and
the opposing air force is incapable of interfering. If supremacy
is not achievable, air superiority permits the conduct of operations
by the air, land and sea components without prohibitive interference
by opposing air forces. As other countries move to achieve space
dominance, the need for a military branch dedicated to the defense
of space became necessary, just as there are branches of the military
dedicated to protecting and securing the air, land, and sea. The
US Space Force is responsible for organizing, training, and equipping
Guardians to conduct global space operations that enhance the
way our joint and coalition forces fight, while also offering
decision makers military options to achieve national objectives.
Access to space is vital to our national defense and prosperity.
About the Authors
Alexandra Sosa is a Junior Research Associate at Security Management
International and a graduate student at the University of South
Florida. Dr Jennifer Hesterman is a retired USAF Colonel. Her
last assignment was as Vice Commander of Andrews Air Force Base
where she oversaw security for Air Force One.
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