Russia vetoed a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) draft resolution on a weapon-free outer space jointly proposed by the United States and Japan.
About UNSC resolution
The vetoed resolution would have affirmed that countries which ratified the 1967 Outer Space Treaty must comply
with their obligations not to put in orbit around the Earth “any objects” with weapons of mass destruction, or install them “on celestial bodies, or station such weapons in outer space.”
Russia’s stand: Vetoed resolution focused solely on weapons of mass destruction including nuclear arms, and made no mention of other weapons in space.
About Weaponisation of Space
Weaponization of space defines the process which results in deployment of weapons in space which may then become a theatre of conflict through use of weapons aimed at destroying targets either in orbit or on Earth's surface.
On the other hand, militarisation of outer space refers to the use of space in support of ground, sea and air-based military operations.
Important Global Initiatives for Peace in Space
Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS, 1959): To govern the exploration and use of space for the benefit of all humanity.
Outer Space Treaty (1967): Prohibits nuclear weapons or any other weapons of mass destruction in outer space.
Rescue Agreement (1968): Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space.
Space Liability Convention (1972): Launching state is liable for damage caused by its space objects.
Launch Registration Convention of (1975): Launching State shall register the space object in an appropriate registry and inform the same to Secretary-General of UN.
Moon Agreement (1979): The agreement forbids the establishment of military bases, installations and fortifications on the Moon and, the testing of any type of weapons on the Moon.
Note - India is a party to Outer Space Treaty, the Rescue Agreement, the Liability Convention and the Registration Convention.
India has also signed the Moon Treaty but not ratified.
India also actively participate in COPUOS.
Steps taken by India to enhance space capabilities
Defence Space Agency (DSA): established in 2018 to enhance coordination among military space activities
Mission Shakti: India’s first ever Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Missile Test successfully conducted in 2019 to defend its assets in outer space
IndSpaceEx: first simulated space warfare exercise in 2019 to assess potential threats and formulate a joint space warfare doctrine.
Emerging Challenges with weaponisation of Space
Arms Race and Deterrence: Major powers, such as the US, China, and Russia, now have their military units specialized in space operations, indicating that space has become a new war-fighting domain.
Debris and Congestion: Space conflict would most likely result in the undesired proliferation of space debris with irreversible impact on the space environment.
Dual-Use Technologies: Many space technologies (space launch vehicles, small satellites, GPS trackers, active debris removal systems etc) have both civilian and military applications, blurring the line between peaceful and military uses of space.
Outdated Outer Space Treaty (OST): Constructed under different geopolitical and technological circumstances, they are not well-suited for addressing contemporary challenges.
Way forward
International cooperation: Start negotiations for a legally-binding treaty to prohibit weaponization of outer space.
The treaty could ban basing of all kinds of weapons, Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and conventional or simple hit-to-kill weapons.
Space-domain awareness: Need Investment in space-domain awareness and diplomatic agreements,
such as the ‘Combined Space Operations Initiative’ (CSpO) between the ‘five-eyes’ states plus Germany and France, that facilitate information sharing on space activities.
Mitigating space debris: Enhance Space Situational Awareness (SSA), which is the ability to keep track of everything in space including space debris, rogue satellite behaviour, anti-collision mechanisms and possible signs of weaponisation by others.
Enforceable space law: Law that delivers immediate and significant diplomatic, political and even economic consequences for a state which violates the norms of responsible behaviour.
For e.g., Proposed Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS), It is a UN resolution seeking a ban on the weaponization of space.
Related News
Sweden Becomes 38th Country to Join Artemis Accords
Artemis Accords was established in 2020 by NASA, in coordination with the US Department of State, together with seven other founding member nations.
About Artemis Accords
Grounded in Outer Space Treaty (OST) of 1967, these are a non-binding set of principles designed to guide civil space exploration and use in the 21st century.
It represents multilateral leadership in civil space diplomacy and brings together a diverse set of nations with a shared vision of peaceful space cooperation.
India is a signatory to the Artemis Accords.
Commitment of Signatories under the Accords
Broad dissemination of national space policies and scientific information resulting from their activities.
Recognize development of interoperable and common exploration infrastructure and standards such as communication systems, landing structures, etc.
Implement MoUs between governments or agencies as per the Outer Space Treaty 1967.
Preserve outer space heritage, including historic landing sites and evidence of activity on celestial bodies.
Mitigate orbital debris and induce safe and timely disposal of spacecraft at the end of missions.
Recently, United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) debated rising veto power use in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Since the UN's inception, vetoes have been used more than 300 times.
Reason of growing use of Veto power
National interest: Permanent members use the veto to defend their national interests or to uphold a tenet of their foreign policy.
Increase in global conflict and crises: Russia’s annexation of Crimea and subsequent invasion of Ukraine, and the war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamasetc.
Political polarization: for e.g., United States use its veto power to protect Israel.
Impact of Overuse of Veto power
Affected Humanitarian efforts: Delays in the deployment of peacekeeping forces, the provision of humanitarian aid, or the approval of critical interventions to safeguard civilians.
Deadlocks and inaction: one permanent member's objection impede progress and create a sense of diplomatic paralysis, even when the majority of member states support a proposed resolution or course of action.
Credibility of UNSC: It can be seen as incompetent and unable to carry out its main duty of preserving world peace and security.
Erosion of Multilateralism: It might cause states to rely more on other forums or take unilateral action, which would reduce the value of international cooperation in resolving disputes.
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