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We live in a new day and age, a day and age where international threats are emerging or present threats are intensifying. International peace and tranquility is hanging in the balance with the possible emergence of two new nuclear states: Iran and North Korea. Efforts have been made to prevent these nations from developing nuclear weapons of mass destruction, however, it is the view of the United States that such efforts are not enough to ensure the safety and protection of its citizens. The US believes that in order to successfully protect its citizens, the introduction of weapons in space should be legal. However, the international community believes that the introduction of space-based weapons would increase the risk of an arms race beginning between current and emerging nuclear powers.
The international community, with the exception of the United States, Israel, the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia, are opposed to the introduction of any kind of space-based weapons system because of the threat that such weapons could be used to deny other nations of the world the use of space . The international community further believes that the introduction of weapons in space will increase the risk for the start of a regional or even global arms race, something that the world wants to avoid at all costs. However, the US has begun the construction and deployment of a multibillion dollar missile defense program that will utilize technologies that can be regarded as space-based weapons. These include technologies such as: anti-satellite weapon systems, which are designed to destroy satellites, space based orbital platforms and stations, etc. The problem with this missile defense program is that it violates a number of treaties and United Nations General Assembly and Security Council resolutions.
In order to get a better understanding of why this system violates a number of key international laws, we must first analyze the system and each of its major components. The US’ envisioned National Missile Defense system utilizes both land-based and space-based weapons and technologies that provide a shield against multiple enemy ballistic missiles launched from anywhere on the face of the Earth at any given time. The NMD system also utilizes state of the art radar technologies to detect incoming missiles. Radar stations assigned the task of detecting enemy ballistic missiles coming into American territory would be strategically and are currently placed throughout the United States. Before Canada pulled from the program a few weeks ago, such radar stations were slated for construction in Canada, which would have extended the missile shield into Canada. This network of radar stations is referred to as the Advanced Early Warning and Detection System. In addition to radar stations on the ground, the AEWD utilizes a system of satellites that monitor the globe twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, searching for the characteristics of a ballistic missile launch. These satellites are equipped with infrared and heat sensors that can pick up the heat signature of ballistic missiles. The job of the satellites, once placed into geosynchronous orbit, would be to acquire and track ballistic missiles throughout their trajectory.
The second major component, and the most important is the land-based interceptor missile, the “weapon” of the NMD system. The job of the interceptor is to intercept incoming missiles and warheads outside the Earth’s atmosphere and destroy them via direct impact. Each interceptor will have the capability to intercept and destroy up to twenty missiles, and with expansion, one hundred missiles could be intercepted. The system as a whole is designed explicitly for the defense of the United States against ballistic missile attacks.
On the other end of the viewpoints spectrum, the United States believes that a national missile defense system is crucial to maintaining its national security. In 2001, Donald Rumsfeld, US Secretary of Defense, led a commission to assess threats to the US space assets from what the President calls “rogue states”. The commission stated its fears that a Pearl Harbor style attack in space was very possible and nearly inevitable. Its recommendation to the President entertained the idea of giving him the option of putting weapons in space to protect US assets.
The United States has been reviewing the idea of deploying a national missile defense system since 1993 when a Bottom-Up Review was done to select the strategy, force structure, and modernization programs for America’s defense in the post-cold war era. The US continues to claim that it should have the technologies readily available should threats from foreign nations emerge that would call for the deployment of the missile defense system. Since then, the United States has kept and improved upon the capability of deploying such a system in a couple of years time, despite the ongoing testing and technology development. The US also claims that deployment of the NMD would be for defensive purposes only and repudiates any claims that the system would introduce weapons into space (place in earth-orbit).
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Kayamone A. Sutton
My name is Kayamone Sutton. I was born and raised in Flint, Michigan (USA). I am currently 21 years old and am serving in the United States Navy as an Operations Specialist stationed onboard the USS San Jacinto (CG-56) a guided missile cruiser based out of Norfolk, Virginia.
I am currently working on my bachelors degree in International Relations. My current long range goal is to one day become President of the United States. My current short-term goal is to run for Mayor of Flint, Michigan upon completion of my time serving in the US Navy.
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