The proliferation of technology can be beneficial but also have a negative connotation (Lesson 3). An emerging technology with a significant impact on all types of conflict and peace operations is antisatellite (ASAT) technology, the capability to destroy or disable satellites in space. Identifying a positive connotation for ASAT technology meant to attack and cripple adversaries may be difficult. However, the development of these space capabilities has both military benefits and diplomatic and economic importance (Mastalir, 2009, 7).
ASAT technology can impact formal conflicts when used to impede or deny an adversary’s access to its space assets, such as satellites that are important for navigation, communication, reconnaissance, etc. For example, a reason behind China’s ASAT test of 2007 was the fear that the United States would prevent China from accessing space and becoming a space power (Tellis, 2007, 3). At the same time, this ASAT test resulted in a lot of space debris that could impede and deny access to space assets for the other spacefaring nations. As a result of the large space debris cloud created by this ASAT test, the United States and other spacefaring countries had to maneuver their satellites and even the International Space Station to avoid collision (Kaiser, 2008, 313).
ASAT technology can impact informal conflicts by affecting communication satellites, disrupting the flow of information, and degrading an adversary’s ability to communicate and even coordinate a military response. In addition, ASAT ability to hinder communications can support covert operations in proxy wars (Khan, Khan, 2015, 186).
ASAT technology can impact peace operations in a protective role if deployed to be used in case of attacks, and therefore deterring and discouraging potential attacks. However, it can also disrupt peacekeeping and humanitarian activities by jeopardizing communication. At the same time, ASAT technology can escalate conflicts, including a new cold war with space adversaries. Last but not least, an ASAT test could jeopardize safety in orbit by creating more space debris and severely affecting all space operations (Mosila, 2023).
Bibliography
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Khan, Zulfqar, and Ahmad Khan. “Chinese Capabilities as a Global Space Power.” Astropolitics 13, no. 2-3 (2015): 185–204. https://doi.org/10.1080/14777622.2015.1084168.
Mastalir, Anthony J. 2009. “The US Response to China’s ASAT Test: An International Security Space Alliance for the Future (Drew Paper Number 8, August 2009).”
Mosila, Andreea. 2023. The Political Dimension of Space Exploration. Space Education & Strategic Applications Journal. Vol. 4, Issue 1, 2023 https://doi.org/10.18278/001c.75419
Mosila, Andreea. 2023. China’s 2007 Antisatellite Test and Its Repercussions on Spacefaring from a Diplomatic, Information, Military, and Economic Perspective. Space Education & Strategic Applications Journal. In review.
Tellis, Ashley J. “China’s Military Space Strategy.” Survival (London) 49, no. 3 (2007): 41–72. https://doi.org/10.1080/00396330701564752.
Weeden, Brian. 2010. “2007 Chinese Anti-Satellite Test Fact Sheet.” Secure World Foundation. Retrieved from https://swfound.org/media/9550/chinese_asat_fact_sheet_updated_2012.pdf