Chinese Anti-Satellite Weapons: New Power Geometry – New Legal Policy?
- Paper number
IAC-07-E6.5.21
- Author
Mr. Stefan A. Kaiser, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, Germany
- Year
2007
- Abstract
With the successful test on 11 January 2007, China has become the third player on the field of Anti-Satellite (ASAT) weapons. For more than two decades, this weapon technology remained the domain of the USA and the Russian Federation (formerly the Soviet Union). National policies of space faring nations commit to the principle of peaceful uses of outer space as enshrined in the Outer Space Treaty, but there is no detailed internationally binding regulation on ASAT weapons. Since 1981 the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed annual resolutions on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS). The PAROS resolutions call for negotiations in the Conference of Disarmament for establishing an internationally binding instrument about space weapons. However, the Conference of Disarmament is deadlocked. Interestingly, China was a strong supporter of the PAROS objectives for many years. China’s weapons test has changed the power geometry. So far, it is still unclear, if the possession of ASAT capabilities will change Chinese policy. Undoubtedly, it will impact the space policy of other States. This paper will study the policy impact, including possible changes of the opinio juris, relating to space weapons.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-07-E6.5.21.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.