Ban on Destructive ASAT Tests Announced by U.S.
The United States has committed to a ban on destructive ASAT tests, and is asking other nations to join the effort.
According to a White House fact sheet, the commitment addresses one of the most pressing threats to the security and sustainability of space, as demonstrated by Russia’s November 2021 destructive directascent anti-satellite, or "ASAT" missile test. The People’s Republic of China conducted a similar test in 2007. The destruction of space objects through direct-ascent ASAT missile testing is reckless and irresponsible. The long-lived debris created by these tests now threaten satellites and other space objects that are vital to all nations’ security, economic, and scientific interests, and increases risk to astronauts in space. Overall, these tests jeopardize the long-term sustainability of outer space and imperil the exploration and use of space by all nations.
Developing a shared understanding of what constitutes safe and responsible space activities contributes to a more stable space environment by reducing the risk of miscommunication and miscalculation. This is especially important as there is an ever-increasing number of states and non-governmental entities that rely on space services and space assets which are vulnerable to debris.
This new commitment also protects U.S. interests in space. Meaningfully reducing ASAT testing and debris generation advances U.S. national security interests and protects long-term U.S. interests in space exploration, space science, and space-enabled economic development.
In a news release, the Secure World Foundation praised the move, saying the declaration solidifies what has been implicit U.S. policy since 2008 and reinforces recent efforts to promote responsible behavior in space.
According to the SWF, the debris generated by destructive ASAT tests poses serious physical threats to other objects in orbit, and this risk persists for years, if not decades. The debris from a destructive ASAT test will spread out across a range of altitudes that cannot be fully predicted and will continue to orbit the Earth at high speeds, posing a collision risk to other satellites and crewed spacecraft. If a piece of debris collides with another object, the impact can easily damage or destroy that object, generating yet more debris that can pose an ever greater risk as the number of satellites and crewed spacecraft continues to rise, particularly in low Earth orbit (LEO). To date, there have been 16 destructive ASAT tests, resulting in over 6,300 pieces of debris.
There are currently over 5,500 active satellites that provide critical services, including telecommunications, Earth science data, and national security applications. The United States, as part of an international consortium, operates the International Space Station, maintaining a continued human presence in space for over two decades. China’s Tiangong space station will also have crew on-board, and in the near future, there are likely to be other public and private crewed space activities. Debris can pose a threat to all of these crewed spacecraft, as well as satellites, making the intentional destruction of objects in orbit even more irresponsible.
With this policy, the United States is demonstrating leadership at the international level. By adopting this policy unilaterally, the United States is signaling that it sees this behavior as being so irresponsible that it is unwilling to engage in it. As productive discussions in multilateral fora continue on norms and principles for responsible behavior in space, this new U.S. policy sends a clear message about U.S. commitment to ensuring the long-term sustainability of outer space, the organization said.
(Source: White House fact sheet, SWF news release. Image courtesy ESA)