Introduction:
Humanity’s use of outer space has been debated by the United Nations since 1957,
when ​Sputnik
​
I, the first artificial satellite, was launched. This has forced the
international community to rethink fundamental concepts, such as sovereignty and
territorial integrity, resource sharing, and coordinating collective action.
The nature of international involvement in space has changed drastically in the past
60 years. From its beginnings in the Cold War-era Space Race, humankind’s
presence in outer space has expanded to include 70 government space agencies.
Due to technological advances, the area around our planet can be used for a great
number of peaceful pursuits, such as the Global Positioning System (GPS),
mapping natural resources, and exploring the universe. However, the increased
number of states and private entities involved in space combined with increases in
technology can present complex and serious threats to state and global security.
Although space has been militarized (for example, by deploying satellites to
observe other states and ensure that treaties are being followed), no weapons have
been deployed in space. The further militarization and weaponization of space are
both seen as threats to the security of all nations, and promoting security will
require the cooperation of Member States, non-governmental organizations, and
the private sector.
Background & History:
Exploration of outer space began in an international system dominated by the Cold
War. States primarily used their space programs to show their technological
superiority, both to intimidate one another and to gain international prestige. As
their technology developed, the world began to recognize the potential dangers of
military action in space. No State wished to see the arms race extend into the
cosmos. Consequently, many bilateral and international discussions of peace and
security in outer space took place throughout the 1960s.
The first UN document focused on the issue was released in 1962, at the height of
the Cold War. The ​Declaration of Legal Principles Governing the Activities of
States in​ the Exploration and Use of Outer Space established the use of space as
for the “benefit...of all mankind” and introduced the “principle of cooperation” as a
fundamental guideline for the use of outer space.
In 1963, the Partial Test Ban Treaty prohibited testing nuclear weapons in space,
and in 1967, the ​Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the
Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial
Bodies (Outer Space Treaty) banned the deployment of weapons of mass
destruction (WMDs) in outer space. Four other international treaties were written
shortly thereafter, and can be found in the “relevant documents” section. Although
the United Nations, Member States, and non-governmental organizations have
continued to discuss space-related challenges, these treaties form the bedrock of
international cooperation on this issue.
Current Situation:
70 States have a space program. Out of these, 3 are capable of human spaceflight.
Both of these numbers are certain to grow in the future. The entire world is
experiencing a growing dependency on space, especially the capabilities of
satellites, such as communication, navigation, and research. As the number of State
and private actors involved in space increases, ensuring peaceful and secure
cooperation will become more challenging. The potential risks to global security
posed by the usage of outer space affect all Member States, not just those with
space programs.
The amount of space debris, defined as “all man-made objects, including fragments
and elements thereof, in Earth orbit…that are non-functional,” has almost doubled
since the late 1990s. Even space debris as small as paint flecks can damage a
spacecraft because it can travel at speeds over 7 kilometers per second. There are
millions of pieces of debris orbiting the earth; although most of them are too small
to detect, there are still over 500,000 pieces the size of a marble or larger. Even
operational objects can cause significant debris, as shown when an American and a
Russian satellite collided in 2009. Another incident was caused by an anti-satellite
test in 2007 when China destroyed one of its weather satellites, producing more
than 900 trackable pieces of large debris.
The Problem:
Member States have been concerned about weaponizing space since the dawn of
the Space Age. However, despite decades of debate, no comprehensive treaty
banning or restricting the weaponization of space has ever been produced. The fact
that space has not yet been weaponized is no reason for Member States to be
lackadaisical, as the consequences of deploying weapons in space could be
immense.
To ensure peace and security in outer space and avoid conflict, it is important for
States to become party to extant treaties that set guidelines for peaceful cooperation
in space. In 1999, the report of the Third UN Conference on the Exploration and
Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE III) considered the “decline in the
willingness of States to bind themselves to the terms of successive treaties” as a
pressing concern.
As space technology develops, the potential for negative consequences due to
unintentionally reckless behavior with this technology has also increased. Space
debris presents a threat to peaceful operations in outer space, interfering with
important activities and potentially causing tension between States. This danger
increases with every object released into outer space, as the number of usable
satellite orbits is limited.​ ​As the number of satellites in outer space increases,
correspondingly the risk for collision and consequential debris increases. Each
collision exponentially raises the risk of another collision. Anti-satellite weapon
technology also poses the risk of creating such debris.
Relevant Documents:
● Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration
and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies
(Outer Space Treaty);
● Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the
Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space (Rescue Agreement);
● Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects
(Liability Convention);
● Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space
(Registration Convention);
● Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other
Celestial Bodies (Moon Agreement)
● Treaty on Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space and of
the Threat or Use of Force against Outer Space Objects (PPWT)
Bloc Positions:
USA:
The USA has criticized a comprehensive treaty prohibiting the weaponization of
outer space. The USA’s primary objections have been imprecise or disagreeable
definitions of terms and the unwillingness of some states to include anti-satellite
weapons (ASATs). Additionally, as the world’s most technologically advanced
State, the USA views weaponizing space as an option to secure its security
interests. The United States has demonstrated willingness to negotiate a general,
non-binding code of conduct.
European Union:
The EU has encouraged Member States to “refrain from any action which intends
to bring about, directly or indirectly, damage, or destruction, of outer space objects
unless such action is conducted to reduce the creation of outer space debris and/or
is justified by the inherent right of individual or collective self-defense in
accordance with the United Nations Charter or imperative safety considerations.”
It has also proposed an International Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities,
led by the European External Action Service. This Code establishes rules for
responsible behaviour in space with a goal to strengthen the international legal
framework.
Africa:
Once the privilege of a select few States, outer space has become more accessible
due to technological advances. This has begun to deeply affect Africa, providing
both opportunities for development and risks to State and international security. In
light of the lack of progress made on binding treaties, a list of non-binding norms
of behavior has generated significant discussion within the community of African
States.
China and Russia:
In 2014, China and Russia proposed a draft treaty outlining a ban on space
weapons. The draft did not propose any verification mechanisms, instead
suggesting voluntary measures to “promote transparency and confidence building
measures” and the possibility of negotiating an additional protocol for verification
later on. The text does not rule out ASAT weapons launched from Earth, and
would only ban weapons that orbit planet Earth.
Committee Mission:
The Fourth Committee of the General Assembly is known as the Special Political
and Decolonization Committee, abbreviated as SPECPOL or GA4. The Fourth
Committee considers the peaceful use of outer space and how to intensify
international cooperation in that realm. Its recommendations should address
political aspects of an issue and not focus on the economic, social, or development
aspects of the topic. For example, GA4 may discuss the political issues
surrounding increased activity in outer space, but should not make
recommendations concerning the development of space programs.
Questions to Consider:
1. To which international treaties concerning peace and security in outer space
is your State a signatory?
2. What should be prioritized in discussing peace & security in outer space?
3. In what ways is your State involved in outer space? What about your State’s
allies and partners?
4. How does your State believe that commercial exploration and use of space
should be regulated?
Sources for Further Research:
● United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)
● United Nations General Assembly
● Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS)
Sources:
● EEAS
http://www.eeas.europa.eu/non-proliferation-and-disarmament/pdf/space_co
de_conduct_draft_vers_31-march-2014_en.pdf
● Heintze, Hans-Joachim (2013). Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and
International Law. Global Network
● NASA ​http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/news/orbital_debris.html
● New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/science/space/12satellite.html
● NMUN
http://www.nmun.org/ny_archives/ny16_downloads/BGGs/NY16_BGG_G
A4.pdf
● Space.com
http://www.space.com/3415-china-anti-satellite-test-worrisome-debris-cloud
-circles-earth.html
● UN General Assembly
http://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/69/85
● UNOOSA ​http://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/copuos/index.html