From Russia with nukes? Sifting facts from speculation about space weapon threat

From Russia with nukes? Sifting facts from speculation about space weapon threat
From Russia with nukes? Sifting facts from speculation about space weapon threat

“Nuclear weapons in space are a really, really dumb idea,” said Jessica West of Canadian non-profit Ploughshares, but experts note that with Russia, nothing can ever be fully ruled out.

UN takes ‘parallel’ paths on space security amid geopolitical rift

UN takes ‘parallel’ paths on space security amid geopolitical rift
UN takes ‘parallel’ paths on space security amid geopolitical rift

One new working group, led by the UK and US, will focus on norms; the other, led by Russia and China, will draft legal treaty.

Russia spikes UN effort on norms to reduce space threats

Russia spikes UN effort on norms to reduce space threats
Russia spikes UN effort on norms to reduce space threats

Only a small number of nations, including Venezuela, Iran and China, supported Russia’s objections, especially its rejection of responsible behavior as a foundation for norms.

Norms plus counterspace weapons: RAND recommends holistic strategy to deter space attack

Norms plus counterspace weapons: RAND recommends holistic strategy to deter space attack
Norms plus counterspace weapons: RAND recommends holistic strategy to deter space attack

“The prospects for complete success in deterrence of hostile attacks on space assets, particularly reversible, nondestructive attacks, are limited,” the RAND study cautions.

Space Force’s FY24 budget includes ‘offensive’ options for space. What does that mean?

Space Force’s FY24 budget includes ‘offensive’ options for space. What does that mean?
Space Force’s FY24 budget includes ‘offensive’ options for space. What does that mean?

“There are hard kill and soft kill capabilities, if you will, that we’re funding,” Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said with regards to offensive space capabilities, but none that would created dangerous space debris.

Aussie Space Command looks to electronic warfare, other tech to deter attacks on satellites

Aussie Space Command looks to electronic warfare, other tech to deter attacks on satellites
Aussie Space Command looks to electronic warfare, other tech to deter attacks on satellites

“I think it’s a really important part of where we go to is just looking at how we can have that sort of electronic warfare type of capability to allow us to deter attacks or certainly interfere,” the head of Australia’s Defense Space Command said. 

Balloons vs. satellites: Popping some misconceptions about capability and legality

Balloons vs. satellites: Popping some misconceptions about capability and legality
Balloons vs. satellites: Popping some misconceptions about capability and legality

There may not be an agreement on where airspace ends and space begins, but experts say other questions floated during the balloon saga have down-to-earth answers.

At home and internationally, ‘governance’ is the space watchword: 2023 Preview

At home and internationally, ‘governance’ is the space watchword: 2023 Preview
At home and internationally, ‘governance’ is the space watchword: 2023 Preview

There are a host of open questions bedeviling national and international policy- and law-makers as they struggle to get a better grip on both the explosion of commercial players with innovative ideas for space utilization and the growing military interest in space as a tool of, and venue for, war.

Space strategies, ops and tech go into hyperdrive: 5 stories from 2022

Space strategies, ops and tech go into hyperdrive: 5 stories from 2022
Space strategies, ops and tech go into hyperdrive: 5 stories from 2022

From solar power in space to the evolving roll of commercial satellites, 2022 saw more activity, and more controversy, in the heavens.

US call for halting kinetic anti-satellite tests gets boost from UN vote

US call for halting kinetic anti-satellite tests gets boost from UN vote
US call for halting kinetic anti-satellite tests gets boost from UN vote

France just last week became the ninth nation to publicly join the moratorium — following Canada, New Zealand, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Switzerland, and Australia.

FCC to open ‘Space Bureau’ to keep up with satellite boom in new, commercial ‘Space Age’

FCC to open ‘Space Bureau’ to keep up with satellite boom in new, commercial ‘Space Age’
FCC to open ‘Space Bureau’ to keep up with satellite boom in new, commercial ‘Space Age’

“I think the FCC needs some remodeling,” Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said, announcing the new bureau as well as a new, separate International Affairs office.

UN committee endorses US call for moratorium on destructive ASAT missile tests

UN committee endorses US call for moratorium on destructive ASAT missile tests
UN committee endorses US call for moratorium on destructive ASAT missile tests

“There are ongoing reviews to find other other commitments that we can make, specifically around national security space activities,” said the State Department’s Richard Buenneke.

Give JADC2 to Space Force, along with ASAT weapons: Mitchell report

Give JADC2 to Space Force, along with ASAT weapons: Mitchell report
Give JADC2 to Space Force, along with ASAT weapons: Mitchell report

“We may say that we don’t want to, and we stand behind not doing, kinetic debris creating testing, but that does not mean that we should not have that capability,” said Mitchell Institute Senior Fellow for Spacepower Studies Tim Ryan.

Space Force should heed Ukraine lessons as it revamps structure: CSO nominee Saltzman

Space Force should heed Ukraine lessons as it revamps structure: CSO nominee Saltzman
Space Force should heed Ukraine lessons as it revamps structure: CSO nominee Saltzman

The Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing for Gen. Chance Saltzman as the next, and second, Space Force chief was free of major fireworks — suggesting an easy ‘yea’ vote.