SC - Chair Report 1
Hong Kong Model United Nations SECURITY COUNCIL Forum: The Security Council Issue: Weaponisation of Space Document: Introductory Chair Report Chair: Caitlin Fischer
INTRODUCTION “The exploration and use of outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all countries, irrespective of their degree of economic or scientific development, and shall be the province of all mankind.” -‐
UN Treaty on the Peaceful Use of Outer Space 10th October 1967
As the technology available to member states improves in quality and expands into new and ever more complex areas, the use of outer space becomes an increasingly crucial and relevant topic to today’s society. Of the global community, 14 countries are considered to be spacefaring nations, with more than sixty countries operating satellites in outer space. These numbers are constantly on the verge of growing as investment into outer space rises, particularly in developing countries such as China, India and Brazil, whose space-faring capabilities continue to improve drastically. However, with a better understanding of outer space comes an increased drive to use it in matter of national defense, and as such, the weaponisation of space has evolved from a topic of science fiction into a genuine threat to the globe on a whole. With the most recent resolution passed by the United Nations having been passed thirteen years ago at this point, a globally acknowledged consensus on how the potential threat of the weaponisation of space should be addressed is needed. Such a resolution should aim to take into account the
SC - Chair Report 1 context of the discussion in the present climate of space exploration, as well as understanding the extent to which certain ideas would be feasible.
TERMINOLOGY In order to understand the problem, we must distinguish between the militarization and the weaponisation of outer space. The militarization of space refers specifically to when objects or actions that have the potential to be used in a militaristic sense are deployed in outer space, though this does not necessarily translate to them immediately being used in a military context. For example, GPS satellites would fall under the militarization of space. While they are used in navigation, scientific research and natural disaster rescue, they can also be used in the guiding of weapons across nations. The weaponisation of space, on the other hand, refers to the deployment of objects, the main purpose of which would be to carry out military actions. This includes objects in space targeting wither the earth or other objects in space, or technology on the earth targeting bodies in space.
UNITED NATIONS: Past Actions and Relevant Bodies Previous resolutions include: -‐
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A/RES/55/32 This resolution was passed in 2000 to reaffirm that space should be utilized for economic, scientific and other peaceful endeavors only. It gives the Conference on Disarmament the bulk of the responsibilities surrounding the prevention of an arms race in space, and recognizes the need for further communications between nations to be effective. The Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space Resolution (PAROS) The main aims of this resolution are to reaffirm the values set forth in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and to attempt to call for a ban on the weaponisation of space. It mainly attempts to prevent the possibility of a global arms race in outer space, and calls for the UN Conference on Disarmament to create an ‘impromptu’ subdivision for issues directly relating to PAROS. The 1967 Outer Space Treaty Proposed in 1966 and implemented in 1967, the Outer Space Treaty tends to be viewed as the skeleton for most international laws regarding the use of outer space. The foundations of this treaty include the principles that the explorations of outer space should be carried out for the benefit of all mankind, that the exploration of outer space should remain free for all member states, that states would be liable for and must avoid the contamination or destruction of any celestial bodies, and that no nation may position nuclear weaponry or weapons of mass destruction in space or upon any celestial body.
SC - Chair Report 1 Relevant UN Bodies include: -‐
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United Nations Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) Established in 1958 as the result of the first satellite being launched into space, this committee aims almost entirely to promote international cooperation on space-related matters, also attempting to establish a legal framework for outer space activities. UN Office for Outer Space Affairs Acts as the secretariat for COPUOS in some issues, and also advocates for international cooperation in discussing issues pertaining to the use of outer space. It maintains the Unites Nations Register of Objects Launched into Outer Space, and is the body responsible for being constantly able to image natural disasters/attacks from space at any given moment in time, thus making up a crucial part of the United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER). Conference on Disarmament The links to this committee pertain mostly to the issue of the weaponisation of space and the dangers surrounding a global arms race in outer space. It is referenced in PAROS and the 2000 resolution on the use of outer space.
FOCUS: Issues of Significance Arms Race in Outer Space Overwhelmingly, UN members are opposed to the idea of an arms race in outer space. However, it is a seemingly inevitable consequence of the weaponisation of space- any steps taken by one nation to arm their space technology will be responded to with similar actions in the interest of national security. Hence, this begs interesting questions: for example, if a global consensus is reached in agreement of weaponising space against potentially hazardous meteoroids and asteroids, should nations thus be able to protect themselves against potential misuse of this technology? The UN Treaty on the Peaceful Use of Outer Space and the PAROS (Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space) resolution both hope to prevent the issue of an arms race in outer space. However, the applicability of these resolutions and their lack of specificity regarding the problem do not make them particularly useful when discussing space technology as it now stands, particularly as nations have called for collaborative weaponisation of space in order to protect themselves against space-borne threats. Attacks on Satellites As proven in 2007 by China, the capacity to destroy satellites lies in the hands of nations. While China’s anti-satellite missiles were, at the time, aimed purely at destroying dysfunctional Chinese technology, an offensive attack aimed at other nations’ satellites could be devastating towards them, particularly given
SC - Chair Report 1 the increasing dependency on satellite technology that we see today. Additionally, the digitalized hacking of satellites could be destructive, not just in disruptive the day-to-day working of nations, but also by allowing certain groups potential access to dangerous space-based technology. Measures to protect satellites and protocol to deal with breaches in satellite security should be discussed by the committee, noting the current lack of cohesive an up-todate protocol surrounding the subject. Equality and Monopolisation Whether or not a country can devote resources to space exploration is hugely a function of how developed that nation is. With only a few nations having the capacity to explore and thus weaponise/militarise space, conflicts could break out between nations as a result. Furthermore, should a few nations be able to dominate the weaponisation of space, the power imbalance created could severely distort international relations on the whole. No sole nation should have a disproportionately large claim on outer space or any celestial body, claims the Outer Space Treaty. With some countries having space launch capability and others not, however, this problem remains. On a global scale, some few countries dominate in terms of both number and variety of missions and technology launched into space. Some member states argue that this is not a problem and is purely based on which countries have decided to prioritize research and development in outer space and should not be penalized for their decisions. However, as more countries develop space-launch capabilities, this may present less of a problem in the future. The committee should seek to determine what regulations, if any, are needed here. Transparency of Launches It is currently not globally respected as a launch requirement to declare to an international committee the schedule and nature of planned launches, despite attempts to enforce a global agenda for such. As was seen by the DPRK rocket launch in April 2012, this leads to tensions between countries, with the specific purpose of the launch appearing clouded and uncertain. Due to the global nature of the space environment, the necessity of the publication of the details of provisional launches is something that should be determined in an international committee. Potentially Harmful Objects Many potentially harmful objects (PHOs) can be found within space, with the capacity to destroy equipment and technology sent into space by countries, as well as endangering the lives of those based in space (for example, astronauts on the International Space Station). To a greater extent, harm may be brought upon earth as a result of impact from or passage nearby a PHO. As proven by the recent Russian Meteorite, recognized as the most destructive meteorite in recent human history, we do not currently have adequate technology to predict and protect the earth from near-Earth PHOs.
SC - Chair Report 1 This problem is made even clearer when recent studies on the number of Near Earth Asteroids (NEAs) show these numbers to be far higher than was initially thought. How member states decide this should be dealt with is an issue of note, particularly due to the fact that if PHOs damage equipment necessary to the day-to-day running of member states these countries could be left in a vulnerable position in economic, technological, and militaristic senses. Note that debris from previous missions could also be a hazard to other live satellites in space. Defensive Technology Should space-based technology aimed solely at protecting a nation be considered as ‘weaponising’ space? This technology could serve as a manner of protection against human-caused threats to a nation (as China proved in 2007, anti-satellite missiles are a growing threat to nations), but could also extend to cover the protection of nations’ satellites from space debris, for example. Many satellite defense mechanisms could, however, be used offensively as well. Discussions should seeks to clarify whether or not this constitutes as fair use of outer space.
QUESTIONS: For Discussion by the Committee The extent to which certain technology intended for civilian use could be applied to military use should be a consideration of the committee: at what point do we cross the line between peaceful use of space and arming space with weapon-like technology? What are the limitations to which a country can place defensive technology in outer space, before such action is taken as an offensive measure? How can the United Nations work to prevent an arms race in outer space when, as history has proven, individual nations will tend towards the situation of an arms race? Can this be done beyond existing resolutions? What are the measures that the global community can take to protect the Earth on a whole from potentially hazardous objects (PHOs) such as nearearth asteroids, and how should this research be carried out and methodology implemented? What role should the private sector play in the development of outer space, particularly as their influence and capacity improve to potential militaristic ideals?
FURTHER READING: Research and Bibliography http://www.oosa.unvienna.org/pdf/gares/ARES_39_59E.pdf UN Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS) Resolution http://disarmament.un.org/treaties/t/outer_space/text
SC - Chair Report 1 UN Treaty on the Peaceful Use of Outer Space http://www.oosa.unvienna.org/oosa/COPUOS/copuos.html UN Committee on the Peaceful Use of Outer Space http://www.oosa.unvienna.org/ UN Office for Outer Space Affairs http://www.reachingcriticalwill.org/resources/fact-sheets/critical-issues/5448outer-space Summary of Major Issues http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/nukes/ArmsControl_NEW/nonproliferation/N FZ/NP-NFZ-PAROS.html Prevention of an Arms Race in Space- Foundation of American Scientists http://www.iiss.org/en/events/eu%20conference/sections/eu-conference-2013ca57/special-sessions-3818/special-session-2-7e33 Discussion of Ballistic Missiles in Outer Space, and the Links to Transparency in Launches ‘Security Issues in Internet Protocols over Satellite Links’, Guevara Noubir & Laurent von Allmen Paper on Protocol Surrounding Compromise of Satellites http://www.nss.org/resources/library/planetarydefense/2000ReportOfTheTaskForceOnPotentiallyHazardousNearEarthObjects-UK.pdf Discussion and Recommendations Regarding Potentially Hazardous Objects ‘TRANSPARENCY AND CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES IN OUTER SPACE’, Anton V. Vasiliev and Alexander A. Klapovsky Discussion of Transparency and Information Access in Space Launches http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2004cosp...35.4338 Detection and Tracking of Near Earth Asteroids