Russia proposes space weapons ban

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Russia proposes space weapons ban
The US Missile Defence Agency has asked for $10m to study the feasibility of space missile defences [AFP]

Russia and China have proposed a new treaty to ban the use of weapons in space amid concerns of growing anti-satellite missile rivalry.

Speaking at a conference on disarmament in Geneva, Sergei Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, said: "Without preventing an arms race in space, international security will be wanting.

"The task of preventing an arms race in space is on the conference's agenda. It's time... to start serious practical work in this field."

The new treaty would prohibit the deployment of weapons of any kind in space, and the use or threat of force against space objects, Lavrov said.

He said: "Weapons deployment in space by one state will inevitably result in a chain reaction. And this, in turn, is fraught with a new spiral in the arms race both in space and on the earth."

US rejection

The US rejected Russia's call for the treaty, arguing that ensuring compliance would be "impossible".

Dana Perino, a White House spokeswoman, said: "The United States opposes the development of new legal regimes or other restrictions that seek to prohibit or limit access to or use of space."

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The best way to prevent an arms race in space, said Perino, would be to "encourage discussions aimed at promoting transparency and confidence-building measures" so that countries are not in the dark about potential rivals' plans.

She said: "Proposed arms control agreements or restrictions must not impair the rights of the US to conduct research, development, testing and operation or other activities in space for US national interests."

Perino said past US administrations had "recognised the impossibility of achieving a verifiable and equitable space arms control agreement".

Growing concerns

Concerns over a new arms race in space have been growing since China tested an anti-satellite missile in January last year.

The US also has its own anti-satellite programme, ranging from laser cannon to satellite destroying missiles.

The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 bans the build up or stockage of military weapons, including nuclear arms or weapons of mass destruction, in orbit and their installation on the moon, but not the shooting down of satellites.

The US has had no declared anti-satellite programme since 1985 when it destroyed one of its own satellites in space with a missile launched by a fighter jet.

Test-bed study

The US Missile Defence Agency asked last year for $10m to study the feasibility of a "test bed" to develop space-based missile defences.

The US military has been preoccupied by the vulnerability of its satellite networks since 2001 when a commission led by Donald Rumsfeld, the then defence secretary, warned of the danger of a space "Pearl Harbour".

Washington's plans for satellite and missle defence remain shrouded in secrecy but have sparked fears of an arms race with both Russia and China.

Great now we die to some russian missile from space rather then a suicide bomber.

no the whole point is they want no weapons in space but america says no to the treaty

Thats pretty funny. We already know that China has a lazer in space capable of taking out sats and rumours that it can take medium sized targets on earth. I wouldn't want my neighbor to be taking pot shots at me either.

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Originally Posted by texas grass

no the whole point is they want no weapons in space but america says no to the treaty

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Yeah Exactly so then they put weapons in space along with every other country cause america said no. So again great now i get blown up by a russian space missile.

here comes WWIII

In defense of the US, just because Russia and China agree not to deploy space weapons what would stop other country's from doing so in the future? So the USA would be disadvantaged in the future.