Scientist Stroikos: space weapons tests could trigger an arms race the United States, Russia, China and India have even conducted tests that could trigger an arms race in space. This was stated by Dimitrios Stroikos, a researcher at the London School of Economics (UK) and editor-in-chief of the international magazine Space Policy, in a commentary to Lente.ru.
In the short term, he said, such tests exacerbate the “security dilemma”: a situation in which the actions of one state to strengthen its own security lead to a decrease in the security of the other side, which triggers a chain reaction of retaliatory actions. “Until steps are taken to mitigate such dynamics, for example through transparency and confidence-building measures, strategic dialogue and other means, we may witness an arms race if it has already begun,” Stroikos predicted.
All this only indicates an urgent need for a document prohibiting such types of tests, the specialist noted. Efforts in this direction have been undertaken for many years, but the parties have not been able to reach an agreement, largely due to disagreements over what exactly should be considered space weapons. The problem is that space technology often serves a dual purpose.
According to Stroikos, the way out of the current impasse may be the introduction of non-legally binding norms on responsible behavior in space. So, a few weeks ago, the First Committee of the UN General Assembly approved the UK proposal to introduce such norms. The specialist noted that in the near future a working group may be formed that will deal with their development, and these rules, in turn, can pave the way for the adoption of legally binding documents. “I hope that the latest test of anti-satellite weapons will prompt the international community to intensify efforts in this direction,” Stroikos added.
On November 15, Russia conducted tests that hit the inactive Russian Tselina-D spacecraft in orbit since 1982. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the fragments formed after being hit by anti-satellite weapons do not pose a threat to satellites and space activities. In response, the White House accused Russia of “disregard for security.” The administration of US President Joe Biden also promised that they would seek an answer with the allies to these actions of Moscow.