from rawstory.com: Security experts warn weaknesses in treaties and exploitation of GPS are compromising the prohibition against space weapons.
Developments in satellite technologies and cyber-warfare are
threatening the internationally agreed demilitarization of outer space,
according to legal and security experts.
threatening the internationally agreed demilitarization of outer space,
according to legal and security experts.
Weaknesses in existing treaties and military exploitation of GPS
location systems are compromising the prohibition against space weapons
established during the cold war, a conference in London has been told.
location systems are compromising the prohibition against space weapons
established during the cold war, a conference in London has been told.
“Policy, law and understanding of the threat to space is
lagging behind the reality of what is out there,” warned Mark Roberts, a
former Ministry of Defence official who was in charge of government
space policy and the UK’s “offensive cyber portfolio”.
lagging behind the reality of what is out there,” warned Mark Roberts, a
former Ministry of Defence official who was in charge of government
space policy and the UK’s “offensive cyber portfolio”.
“If you think about something unpleasant happening in cyber
[warfare], someone somewhere is probably working on it.” One state or
another is likely to be devising mechanisms to disable satellities
through cyber-attacks, he said.
[warfare], someone somewhere is probably working on it.” One state or
another is likely to be devising mechanisms to disable satellities
through cyber-attacks, he said.
Professor Sa’id Mosteshar, director of the London Institute of Space
Policy and Law, who organised the conference, said: “We are moving
rapidly into an era when most space assets have dual use: civilian and
military. There have been UN resolutions on the prevention of an arms
race in outer space. Every country has voted in favour with the
exception of the USA and Israel.”
Policy and Law, who organised the conference, said: “We are moving
rapidly into an era when most space assets have dual use: civilian and
military. There have been UN resolutions on the prevention of an arms
race in outer space. Every country has voted in favour with the
exception of the USA and Israel.”
The disabling of satellites would have a disastrous impact on
society, knocking out GPS navigation systems and time signals. Banks,
telecommunications, power and many infrastructures could fail, Roberts
told the conference.
society, knocking out GPS navigation systems and time signals. Banks,
telecommunications, power and many infrastructures could fail, Roberts
told the conference.
Agreements such as the 1967 Outer Space treaty and the 1979 Moon
treaty are supposed to control the arms race in space. Some states have
signed but not ratified them, said Maria Pozza, research fellow at the
Lauterpacht Centre for International Law at Cambridge University.
Existing treaties do not specify where air space ends and outer space
begins – although 100km (62 miles) above the Earth is becoming the
accepted limit.
begins – although 100km (62 miles) above the Earth is becoming the
accepted limit.
The Navstar constellation of satellites was used to provide
surveillance of Iraq during the Gulf war in 1991. Was that, asked Pozza,
an aggressive use of space, a “force-multiplier”? Satellites may have
also been used to photograph and locate al-Qaida bases, Osama bin Laden
or even assess future strikes against Syria.
surveillance of Iraq during the Gulf war in 1991. Was that, asked Pozza,
an aggressive use of space, a “force-multiplier”? Satellites may have
also been used to photograph and locate al-Qaida bases, Osama bin Laden
or even assess future strikes against Syria.
The Chinese government has recently moved to support a 2012 EU code
of conduct for space development, which, Pozza said, was a softer law.
The draft Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space treaty
has not yet been agreed. “Are we dismissing the possibility of a hard
law or giving it a good chance?” Pozza asked.
The Chinese tested an anti-satellite weapon in 2007 that destroyed a
defunct orbiting vehicle and showered debris across near Earth orbits.
Other satellites have been jammed by strong radio signals. BBC
transmissions to Iran were disrupted during this year’s elections
through ground signals ostensibly sent from Syria, the conference was
told.
defunct orbiting vehicle and showered debris across near Earth orbits.
Other satellites have been jammed by strong radio signals. BBC
transmissions to Iran were disrupted during this year’s elections
through ground signals ostensibly sent from Syria, the conference was
told.
In 2011, hackers gained control of the Terra Eos and Landsat
satellites, Roberts said. The orbiting stations were not damaged. “The
threat can now be from a laptop in someone’s bedroom,” he added.
satellites, Roberts said. The orbiting stations were not damaged. “The
threat can now be from a laptop in someone’s bedroom,” he added.
Professor Richard Crowther, chief engineer at the UK Space Agency,
said scientists were now exploring the possibility of robotic systems
that grapple with and bring down disused satellites or laser weapons to
clear away debris in orbit.
said scientists were now exploring the possibility of robotic systems
that grapple with and bring down disused satellites or laser weapons to
clear away debris in orbit.
Both technologies, he pointed out, had a potential dual use as
military weapons. 3D printing technologies would, furthermore, allow
satellite operators to develop new hardware remotely in space.
military weapons. 3D printing technologies would, furthermore, allow
satellite operators to develop new hardware remotely in space.
The UK is formulating its space security policy, group captain Martin
Johnson, deputy head of space policy at the MoD, said. Fylingdales, the
Yorkshire monitoring station, has been cooperating for 50 years with
the USA to enhance “space awareness” and early warning systems. The UK,
Johnson said, was now working with the EU to develop a complementary
space monitoring system.
Johnson, deputy head of space policy at the MoD, said. Fylingdales, the
Yorkshire monitoring station, has been cooperating for 50 years with
the USA to enhance “space awareness” and early warning systems. The UK,
Johnson said, was now working with the EU to develop a complementary
space monitoring system.
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