Overview
It is outlined in the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 that no one can place nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in orbit or on other objects in space. It also states that it can only be used for peaceful purposes, so the idea of defense is different in space. There is no direct aggressor using weapons to attack another country or its spacecraft. A lot of defense in space is ensuring that the satellites and space craft in space are protected from other space objects like debris, rocks and other space craft. This is important to ensure that the systems like GPS, communication and satellite imaging, that we rely on so heavily, are able to function.
Defense in space also comes in the form of surveillance where militaries and agencies can use satellites to monitor earth. This can be used in both humanitarian and non-humanitarian ways. For example, a satellite could be used to image a farmer’s land, so the farmer knows where and when is best to plant their crops. On the other hand, militaries can use it to monitor threats and enemies. This can lead to a debate between how space is used, as mentioned earlier the Outer Space Treaty denies governments the ability to weaponize space, however there is no mention of surveillance and imaging of other countries. This leads to lots of discussion over the outdated laws in space. Space is a rapidly expanding front; therefore, the laws should also change to address new and growing threats.
For me this is important because I am training to be an officer in the Air Force and possible a Space Operations officer. This would affect me and my work directly because the US military and specifically the Air Force is the primary peace keeper and entity in space. War is increasingly being fought on nontraditional battle fields. Now it has taken to cyber space and physical space where countries race to develop more effective communication and surveillance systems. If given the chance I have no doubt, there would be a race to place weapons of mass destruction in space as well.
Most of what is happening now is only being mitigated and since space is no longer a brand-new thing there is less focus on it and its fast changing landscape. The USAF and UNOOSA monitor and address these problems in space by providing collision warning and basic governance, as well as the ability to form and enforce legislation. Sherman & Howard work to help consult and educate corporation and countries on how they can operate in space, thus making sure no one over steps or does something which could endanger other entities operations in space.*
*No official opinion of USAF or any other entity mentioned above
Defense in space also comes in the form of surveillance where militaries and agencies can use satellites to monitor earth. This can be used in both humanitarian and non-humanitarian ways. For example, a satellite could be used to image a farmer’s land, so the farmer knows where and when is best to plant their crops. On the other hand, militaries can use it to monitor threats and enemies. This can lead to a debate between how space is used, as mentioned earlier the Outer Space Treaty denies governments the ability to weaponize space, however there is no mention of surveillance and imaging of other countries. This leads to lots of discussion over the outdated laws in space. Space is a rapidly expanding front; therefore, the laws should also change to address new and growing threats.
For me this is important because I am training to be an officer in the Air Force and possible a Space Operations officer. This would affect me and my work directly because the US military and specifically the Air Force is the primary peace keeper and entity in space. War is increasingly being fought on nontraditional battle fields. Now it has taken to cyber space and physical space where countries race to develop more effective communication and surveillance systems. If given the chance I have no doubt, there would be a race to place weapons of mass destruction in space as well.
Most of what is happening now is only being mitigated and since space is no longer a brand-new thing there is less focus on it and its fast changing landscape. The USAF and UNOOSA monitor and address these problems in space by providing collision warning and basic governance, as well as the ability to form and enforce legislation. Sherman & Howard work to help consult and educate corporation and countries on how they can operate in space, thus making sure no one over steps or does something which could endanger other entities operations in space.*
*No official opinion of USAF or any other entity mentioned above
United States Air ForceThe USAF Space Command mission is to provide resilient and affordable space capabilities for the Air Force, Joint Force and the Nation. It helps enforce space laws and proper deployment of satellites. It also makes sure that no satellite collide or interfere with other companies or countries satellites. They are the primary entity in charge of maintaining the domain of space and the safety of space devices. This is incredibly important because many of these satellites are vital to GPS navigation and communication system not just for the military but for every day people and corporations.They have a squadrons of space officers that are divided into teams. These teams are in charge of “piloting” a satellite and controlling the space around them. They only pilot USAF and other DOD and government satellites the rest they just monitor. It is similar to Air Traffic control on earth. Some limitation is that they have to follow the laws put in place by other governing bodies as well as those by the united states government. There also aren't very many of them so they do their best with the resources they have. They train you once you become and officer. So some skill would be leadership, adaptability and the ability to absorb information quickly and make decisive decisions. It is a pretty good job with a lot of benefits but there is a military standard one must maintain. There is also a lot of classified material so it is important to have integrity and not disclose sensitive information. I like space a lot and am developing a lot of the skills I listed above so those could help me get these positions.
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UNOOSA: UN Office for Outer Space AffairsUNOOSA is responsible for promoting international cooperation and peaceful uses of outer space. They are also in charge of maintaining the United Nations Register of Objects Launched into outer space. It also prepares and distributes reports studies and publication as well as satellite imaging. This is part of the international body that governs all things in space. It is key in connecting all the countries together who are involved in space. They are also important for the legislation that governs where things can be in space and what they can do in space. Its limitations are there is really no way for them to enforce things other than sanctions but they can use military force. They are good at training and conducting international workshops so that countries know what they can and can’t do in space. Strengths are legislation and unification. They can also promote the proper use of space effectively. It would be difficult to work here because it is a public sector job so there are lots of regulations and im sure they pay isn’t great. Some concrete actions are legislation and programs to educate countries on the use of space. These translate to the mission because their job is to govern and educate. The ability to work with others and be diplomatic.
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Sherman & HowardTheir mission/ goal is to advise and represent international clients on space law matters. The firm specializes in telecommunication and cable industries. They work on the advising side which ensure that companies do not violate the legislation already in place. This is very important because once something is in space the only way to get it back down is by gravity. That is unless you plan ahead and have extra fuel to launch it back into the atmosphere so it can burn up. They staff their organization with highly trained and qualified personnel who have experience in the field so they can best serve their clients in the matters they are considered experts in. For example one member served as the Deputy General counsel of the U.S. Air Force. Another member was a general counsel to several russian satellite companies. The chair is one of sixteen space industry leaders and lawyers on the board of directors for the International Institute of Space Law. It’s limitations is that they are probably expensive so smaller companies looking to start will have a harder time finding consultation. They also can only advise and do not actually enforce space law of create it directly. Although they are capable of helping other entities to do so. It is important to have a law degree or at least some sort of an education in law. Some soft skills would be the ability to work in and lead teams and the ability to communicate effectively with other people in teams as well as their client.
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Interview
Below are some questions and answers we received from an Interview with Carl Black, of the United States Air Force Space Command*
*No official opinion of USAF or any other entity mentioned
*No official opinion of USAF or any other entity mentioned
- What is your job and responsibilities?
- Tactics development for future space operations
- Used to be a satellite vehicle operator
- Also, a crew commander for the early missile warning and space situational awareness radar
- Tactics development for future space operations
- What are some ways the military/USAF operates in space?
- Operates most DOD space craft
- Operates 23,000 objects in space
- Helps prevent collisions in space
- ISR-intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance
- GPS
- Monitors possible missile launches
- Early warning systems/radar
- How is space governed? How is space divided? How do countries know where they can place satellites?
- No country owns space, outer space treaty of 1967
- Kinds of satellite missions:
- Communication
- Communicate to Ground forces
- Telecommunication
- Direct TV & Broadcast
- No rules on the freedom of movement
- ITU- International Telecom Union
- Both commercial and civil
- Communication
- Satellites are insured, so if hit they are covered
- AF also monitors satellites to provide collision avoidance
- This is very important because roughly 90% of objects in space are inactive so there is lots of things that could hit active objects.
- Example: 2009 Iridium 33(active) and Kosmos-2251(out of service 1995)
- Was high speed collision 11,700 m/s or 26,000 mph
- Caused lots of debris, threat to other satellites like the ISS which the debris could puncture the station
- There is no legal requirement to deorbit, or send them into a graveyard orbit
- 3 main divisions in space
- Low Earth Orbit
- Used for imagery of earth, ISS, commercial communication
- Middle Earth Orbit orbits about twice a day
- GPS
- Geostationary orbit w/ earth
- Direct TV and strategic command
- Low Earth Orbit
- 3 main divisions in space
- What is a constellation of satellites?
- More than one satellite that has the same mission
- Example is the iridium satellites
- To fully cover the globe three can do it but four is ideal
- How can conflicts in space affect countries on earth?
- In the civilian world a loss of space assets would mean no:
- GPS
- Navigation for aircraft
- Some communication
- credit cards
- Space is used to support, communication, navigation, and missile warning systems for militaries
- For the military the loss of these necessities would result in a lot of lives lost on the ground
- It would also effect manned aircraft and RPAs
- Also many bobs use GPS to find their targets
- In the civilian world a loss of space assets would mean no:
- Some problems effecting space in general?
- More access to space means more things in space, difficult to mage all that stuff
- A reusable rocket is good because it is cheaper, but it also means more people can have access to space
- More access to space means more things in space, difficult to mage all that stuff
- What are some problems relating to governing in space, and how do you think we should go about solving them?
- Lack of focus on space
- One reason why a space force would be good
- The lack of division in space
- Can be solved by treating space like international waters
- Lack of focus on space