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Why on earth do you think the Outer Space Treaty bans weapons in space space, and that space isn't already weaponized? Yes, it bans nukes in space - but that's
by DuskStar 7y ago
Why on earth do you think the Outer Space Treaty bans weapons in space space, and that space isn't already weaponized? Yes, it bans nukes in space - but that's all.
It doesn't ban communications satellites, a huge strategic military asset. Same for spy satellites. There's a reason the US government has historically put so much into space, and it's not NASA research. (USAF or NRO research, instead)
- consumer451 7y agoI misspoke in that sentence. What I should have said was that there is a precedent for global treaties on limiting space based weapons. In the case of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty it bans weapons of mass destruction in orbit or on the moon. This certainly needs an update. No bringing any asteroids or comets near earth's gravity well either, please. In regards to your second point, I am simply talking about offensive weapons here. I believe that the only offensive weapons currently in space are likely to be the handguns which Soyuz Cosmonauts bring to the ISS "for protection against bears upon landing." IMO a treaty should have long been in effect which bans everything including any ground-based anti-satellite weapons entering space (energy or kinetic), and the Russian handguns. Of course treaties are not foolproof, but perfect really is the enemy of good in this case.