Weaponizing Space

Throughout history, states have exploited technology to attain and retain their national security using the military instrument of power. Precision munitions, stealth technology, robust command and control architectures, it is believed space weapon systems are next in line to be developed and deployed as a capability to provide a state the competitive edge in warfare. Because of its significant space investment to enable its asymmetric military and economic capabilities, the US has a vital interest to defend its space assets. Because of US dependencies in space, the author believes it will be the first state to deploy an operational space weapon. While one of the intentions of the US will be to deter future adversaries from developing and deploying space weapons, a "Pandora's Box" will be opened and a unique form of arms race will ensue. Research for this paper was conducted using open source articles, journals, doctrine, policy and other open sources to analyze the issue of space weapons, with a focus in the area of policy. This paper explores the complex issue of space weapons, to include analyzing the definition of a space weapon as well as the potential benefits and problems of deploying such a weapon. Additionally, this paper will investigate US historical and current policies relative to space weapons and analyze how US policy is likely to evolve in the near future. Lastly, because of the importance of how the international community construes US policy, this paper will examine international concerns and reactions relative to the issue of weaponizing space.