WEAPONIZATION OF SPACE

We can hear about “MISSION SHAKTI” made INDIA is the fourth country to successfully destroy a satellite in orbit, US, RUSSIA, and most recently CHINA.

Weaponization of  space Treaty:  1967 outer space treaty bans the stationing of WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION (WMD) in outer space, prohibits military activities on celestial bodies, and details legally binding rules governing the peaceful exploration and use of space.

What is WMD?

Weapons of Mass Destruction is a nuclear, radiological, chemical, biological, or any other Weapon that can kill and bring significant harm to numerous humans or cause great damage to human-made structures, natural structures or the biosphere.

How many Countries have WMD?

8 Countries declared to possess nuclear weapons and are known to have tested a nuclear weapon, only 5 of them are members of NPT. The 8 are CHINA, FRANCE,INDIA, NORTH KOREA, PAKISTAN, RUSSIA,UNITED KINGDOM and UNITED STATES.

Full form of NPT :

NPT —–> NON – PROLIFERATION TREATY.

Opening Signature of NPT :

UN Secretary – General Antonio Guterres  signed on the 50th Anniversary of the NPT’s opening signature on 24th may 2018,at Geneva.

Why INDIA did not sign NPT?

NPT allows only those 5 nations manufactured and exploded a nuclear weapon before JANUARY 1,1967  to retain their weapons after signing the treaty. India opposes this discriminative disarmament policy and argues for the complete ban of nuclear weapons. Hence India still not sign of the NPT.

Why NPT discriminatory?

NPT accepts 5 nuclear powers and freezes out all others.

Why NPT was created?

Multi lateral treaty to the goal of disarmament by the Nuclear – Weapon States.

Opened for signature —–> 1968

Treaty entered into force —–> 1970

NPT—-> Cornerstone of global nuclear non- proliferation regime.

Difference of Weaponization and Militarization of Space?

* Weaponization of Space —–> Placing Weapons in the outer space, for nuclear weapons or weapons of mass destruction.

* Militarization of Space ——-> Potential use of satellites as a guided weapon, which can manuvered at specific targets precisely.

Actual meaning of Weaponization ?

If a government Weaponizes something , they will take an ordinary object and turn it to a weapon. Weaponization of Space game through 1980’s .

* STRATEGIC DEFENCE INITIATIVE (SDI) :  It is known as “Star Wars” programmed of united states.

“Star Wars” is a large number of satellites into orbit that detect the launch of enemy missiles and shoot them down.

* Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (TAAD): Designed for short and medium missiles.

Militarization of outer space refers to the use of space in support of ground sea and air-based military operations. It is for military use such as early warning, communications, command and control, Position Navigation and Timing (PNT) monitoring ( remote sensing) National Technical Means (NTM) that can be used for Verification, Surveillance and Intelligence purpose. It helps improve Command and Control, Communication, Strategic and Battlefield surveillance and Weapon targeting.

Militarization & Weaponization is subtle difference only.

Weaponization including satellite -based systems for Ballistic Missile Defence(BMD),Space – based Anti Satellites(ASAT) weapons and a variety of Space to Earth Weapons(STEW)s. ASAT Weapons include Directed Energy Weapons(DEW), Particle Beam Weapons(PBWs),Kinetic Energy Weapons(KEWs).

Satellites as the Vehicles of Space Weapons:

These weapons are planned to deployed in satellites orbiting the earth. The LOW EARTH ORBIT (LEO) satellites are 300 to 1000 km above the earth and circle the earth  half to three hours. LEO high range of 7 to 8 km per second .You may know it is 30 times faster than a  747 Jetcraft. LEO for high resolution imaginery of the earth.

MEDIUM EARTH ORBIT (MEO): satellites around the earth  with less frequently for Global Positioning System(GPS) and Navigation System.

Geo synchorous Orbit Satellites(GEO) : Stationed 36,000 km  above the earth 24 hours Orbital time.These are mostly communication and weather satellites.

Space-based Lasers (SBLs): Operate LEO to destroy hostile ballistic missiles. It has two types of lasers.

*Chemical Lasers (MIRACL – Mid – Infrared Energy Chemical Lasers): US – ISRAEIL programme to point defence system to defeat mortary, rocket, artillery and cruise missiles.

* Solid State Lasers (SSLs) : It has changed Chemical lasers to Solid state Lasers. Solid State Lasers requires only electricity.

* Space – Based Missile Interceptors:  The satellites would destroy their targets through kinetic contact.

* Electro – Magnetic (EM) Rail Guns: Replace all conventional cannons in the future.

* Evolutionary Air and Space Global Laser Engagement (EAGLE): Borne mirrors to track or destroy the enemy missile.

* Space- Based Infra – Red (SBIR): To guide ballistic Missile defence interceptors in three phases,

* Boost

* Mid – Course

* Terminal

SBIR would be deployed in LEO and GEO.

* Space Tracking and Surveillance Sysytem (STSS): LEO sensor satellites will track enemy missiles, discriminate between warheads and access the outcome of possible interecptions.

* Anti – Satellite (ASAT) Weapons: High – powered lasers, Micro- satellites, Kinetic- Energy Anti – Satellites(KE – ASAT) Weapon, Near Field Ir Experiment (NFIRE) etc.

* High Altitude Nuclear Detonation: Destroying the satellites within the capacity of all nuclear capable countries.

* Global Strike Programme: Sensors or bombs anywhere on the earth’s surface from outerspace, it takes a time limit to response 30 minutes.

* Common Aero Vehicle (CAV): Global reach capability against high pay – off targets.

* Rods From Gods: Brilliant space weapon, would dispatch 20 feet long orbital tungsten or uranium rods that would enter the earth’s atmosphere. Using the Accelerating Force of Gravity to attack ground targets at speeds higher than 10,000 km an hour.

” Peaceful Uses” of outer space include military cases, even those which are  noted all peaceful, using satellites to direct bombing raids or to orchestrate a prompt global strike “Capability” , is ability to control any situation or defeat any adversary across the range of military operations.Provision of the outer space treaty to ensure that Weaponization of Space does not take place.

 

 

References By : Google, Wikipedia, P.N. Tripathi .

Author By: Kiruba Thomas.