but When it comes to military action in space, there are no rules on this point. Held Russia last week alleged anti-satellite weapons tests underscore the need for space of States to reach understanding on the issue of the militarization of outer space, says the author.
Moscow — Russian and U.S. negotiators met in Vienna to discuss the dangers which have become increasingly relevant in recent years: the issue in these talks was about how to restrain the militarization of space.
If in the near future will be signed a new contract, or, at least, will not be produced by a common understanding, then, according to experts, the future of human activity “the last frontier” will look more like in the TV series “Star wars” (Star Wars), and not as in the TV series “Star trek” (Star Trek).
There are many issues that require discussion. Last week, the leadership of a newly created Space forces of the United States has accused Russia of placing “missile weapons” in earth orbit close to orbit of an American spy satellite. Although nothing was destroyed, the United States for more than a year complaining that Russia is using able to maneuver satellites inspectors who have the ability to spy on American satellites and can be used as a weapon.
The Russians, for their part, claim that the United States is deploying advanced ground-based complex, capable of attacking enemy satellites in time of war. Both parties clearly agree that the time has come to sit down at the negotiating table or at least start a conversation about it.
“If the militarization of space continues, it can lead to extremely costly and destabilizing arms race, says Vladimir Dvorkin, an expert of the Center for international security IMEMO, one of the main Russian research centers under the Russian Academy of Sciences. — Currently, there are no laws against the deployment of conventional weapons in Earth orbit, and these complexes, which can attack other objects in space or to strike objects on the ground. We really need to sit down at the negotiating table and conclude an agreement”.
the Satellite-policy
The only document regulating the militarization of outer space is the outer space Treaty, which was concluded in 1967 at the dawn of the space age. It prohibits the placing in earth orbit of weapons of mass destruction, but it says nothing about the restriction of the use of numerous types of military technologies or dual-use technologies that are used currently or are in the process of development��I. we are Talking about spy satellites, platforms, electronic weapons systems, positioning and guidance, interceptor missiles, and laser weapons.
The United States has accused Russia of launching into orbit a new machine that is able to move in space using its own power plant. In addition, it can monitor other satellites and possibly has the ability to destroy them. It is, in particular, about the Russian satellite “Cosmos 2543”, which was launched with a larger Russian satellite “Cosmos 2542” in December 2019. The Russians insist that the new device, which at the time of his flight was close to both the Russian and American satellites is, in fact, a satellite inspector, whose mission is to conduct basic types of intelligence. However, earlier this month, “Space 2543” launched a new feature, which, according to experts of the Space forces of the United States, could be a kind of projectile. It has its own small propulsion system, and it can easily be used to destroy other satellites.
“This is further evidence that Russia continues development and testing of space-based systems, said in his official statement, General John Raymond (John Raymond), commander of the space operations and Space forces of the United States. — These actions correspond to the regulations published by the Kremlin’s military doctrine regarding the use of weapons in order to jeopardize space objects the United States and its allies.”
The Russian claim that it is an ordinary apparatus, the purpose of which is to conduct inspection work in relation to larger satellites. However, we are talking about a completely new situation, and in this regard, there are a number of issues, emphasizes Andrey baklitskiy, expert on security issues, MGIMO-University.
“It’s quite a difficult question, he says. — If you have a space vehicle that can maneuver using its own propulsion system, you actually become the owner of the weapon. To knock the satellite, it is not necessary to make special efforts. But in order to keep the real fighting in orbit, you need to have a huge number of such devices in Earth orbit, not one.”
Russia conducted tests of satellite-killers (if it was such an operation) are not unprecedented. During the cold war and the United States and the Soviet Union conducted experiments, which aimed at destroying the enemy’s space infrastructure, and sometimes provided and use of nuclear weapons. After the signing of the outer space Treaty efforts were switched to more specific ��etody. In 1985 the United States successfully destroyed the satellite target using a missile flying at high altitude the F-15. In 2008, the United States used a naval missile system “aegis” (Aegis) for the destruction of the American reconnaissance satellite with a dangerous fuel components on Board. This operation, as has been said, was carried out to ensure public safety, but its military significance was criticized.
A year earlier, the China destroyed its own satellite using ASAT missiles, and then on orbit formed a large number of dangerous debris. India last year spent similar tests.
the Creation of the Cosmic forces
According to Russian analysts, Moscow is showing deep concern about the American secret space program, which now has the official designation of the Space forces of the United States, a new kind of the armed forces of America. The number of operations of a new military unit included a program of test flights of the mysterious X-37B, an unmanned version of the old space Shuttle (Space Shuttle). Two ships from this squadron already made five the secret of spaceflight, and only they were in orbit for almost eight years. The Russian claim that the X-37B performs the same tasks as their satellites of the Kosmos series, including the orbit of the Earth is able to maneuver satellites inspectors.
The cosmic forces of the United States, as reported, next month will submit a formal doctrine on the conduct of hostilities in space, and it, as warned by Russian analysts, will inevitably lead to a space arms race.
“Russia’s Concern is not associated to a significant extent with any particular view of American weapons or actions in space, says Mr. baklitskiy. — However, we are, in fact, concerned about the emergence of a permanent Space forces of the United States who develop their own doctrine on the conduct of hostilities, with the result that we can obtain a process that will be impossible to stop. It makes much more difficult any attempt to achieve strategic stability in the world”.
At the same time some Russian analysts are concerned about the collapse of us-Russian cooperation in space, which reached its peak at the period of the cold war and which lasted until recently in connection with the operation of the International space station. However, Russia refused to participate in the program of NASA “Artemis” (Artemis), which provides for the return of a man on the moon by 2024. Recently, the Russian space Agency Roscosmos reacted harshly to at��written in April by President trump the decree on the development of mineral resources on the moon, despite the absence of relevant international treaties.
After that, Russia declared its intention to cooperate with China in establishing a research station on the moon, and that, too, will not contribute to easing tension on the planet.
“whatever happens, cooperation in space was always a ray of light is testimony to the fact that countries can work together for the common good, says Andrei Ionin, an independent Russian expert. — Such projects has always played a stabilizing role. But today, apparently, are all trying to go their own way in regard to lunar exploration. If all will be guided only by their own interests, it is unlikely to improve international cooperation”.
