Robert Grey, Jr, Presentation to the "Reach to Space" Conference, George Washington University, Washington DC, November 12, 2007.

...Some argue that the weaponization of outer space is necessary to insure the current and future use of outer space. These calls were heightened last January after China successfully tested an anti-satellite system. Others, and I am one of them, are of the view that our long-term national security interests would best be served by negotiating a treaty which effectively, legally, and verifiably bans the weaponization of outer space.

[...]

We have a choice. A legal regime banning space weaponization which will enhance our national security and protect our growing commercial use of space or a destabilizing arms race which threatens international security and puts our existing and future assets in space at risk. Without international agreements on space weaponization, those contemplating large, fragile, and expensive peaceful uses of outer space will be investing in an arena which could become a war zone.

The full presentation =>

Ambassador Robert Grey, Jr. is Director, Bipartisan Security Group, a program of the Global Security Institute, which in turn is a partner on outer space security with the Secure World Foundation.

Ambassador Grey is a former US Representative to the Conference on Disarmament, and was also Leader of the State Department UN Reform Team. He was a Senior Fellow on the Council on Foreign Relations and Counselor for Political Affairs of the United States Mission to the United Nations in New York. Ambassador Grey also served as Acting Deputy Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency as well as Counselor for Political Affairs, US Mission to NATO in Brussels.

His Policy Brief on the Weaponization of Space contains a succinct statement of the issues and links to useful documents including the Air Force Space Command Strategic Master Plan FY06. =>


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