Spring 2022
Iowa High School Model United Nations
Disarmament Committee
Topic: Preventing the Militarization of Space
Author: Jerry Walton (waltojab@uni.edu)
Background
In 1957 preceding the launch of Sputnik 1, the United Nations convened to discuss the likelihood that at some juncture humans would entertain the idea of utilizing space for military purposes. It took that body nearly ten full years to enter into force legislation forming the framework for international space law. The “Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies” simply referred to as the “Outer Space Treaty,” prohibited the placement of nuclear weapons or other varieties of weapons of mass destruction to be placed anywhere in outer space, including but not limited to celestial bodies.
Past Actions
Beginning in the 1980s the Conference on Disarmament ‘CD’ began considering proposals aimed at preventing an arms race in outer space, including prevention of anti-satellite weapons. As of 2008 and 2014 the governments of China and the Russian Federation jointly introduced drafted text to such a treaty, which would stop parties from placing objects carrying any weapon into orbit, and threatening force against objects in space.
In 2005, the General Assembly began exploring confidence-building measures in outer space activities, and in 2010 a resolution was adopted establishing a group of governmental experts to conduct study on outer space. The latter oncluded that implementation of matters concerning space policies, information exchange and notifications related to outer space activities, risk reduction notifications, contact and visits to space launch sites and facilities, international cooperation, consultative mechanisms, outreach, and coordination shall be on a voluntary basis.
During the 2017 session the General Assembly passed resolution ‘A/RES/72/250’ to establish Government Experts, for the consideration and recommendation of elements in creating a legally binding process to enact and enforce preventative measures. This committee was ultimately unable to reach a consensus.
During the 2018-2020 cycle the Disarmament Commission began preparation to promote the practical implementation of transparency and confidence-building measures in outer space, with the goal of preventing an arms race.
Finally, in 2020 the General Assembly sought ideas from Member States on development and implementation of norms, rules, principals, and responsible behaviors in mitigating the risk of misunderstanding and miscalculation in space.
Solutions
Member States can agree to approach space as an international mission, as an avenue for shared exploration and discovery; a universal shared space to be utilized for the shared progression of all humankind, so that the militarization of space does nor occur.
Questions
Sources
Group of Governmental Experts on further practical measures for the prevention of an arms race in outer space
https://undocs.org/A/RES/75/36
Reducing space threats through norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviors
https://undocs.org/A/RES/65/68
Transparency and confidence-building measures in outer space activities.
PAROS Treaty