GS Paper 3
Syllabus: Developments in the field of Space
Source: DTE
Context: The United Nations (UN) has recommended a new treaty for ensuring peace and security as well as preventing an arms race in outer space.
What is outer space?
- Outer space is the region beyond a planet’s atmosphere. For Earth, it begins about 100 kms (62 miles) above sea level.
- The line separating the atmosphere and outer space is called the Karman line.
Background:
- The recommendations, which are part of a UN policy brief (‘For All Humanity – The Future of Outer Space Governance’) come ahead of the UN Summit of the Future.
- At the Summit of the Future, member states will agree on multilateral solutions for a better tomorrow and to strengthen global governance.
The new treaty for outer space:
Need:
- Over the past decade, fundamental changes have been witnessed in outer space like weaponisation of space, exponential increase in satellite launches, etc.
- For example, there were 210 new launches in 2013, which increased to 600 (2019), 1,200 (2020) and 2,470 (2022).
- This increase is fuelled by the active participation of the private sector.
- Outer space (like asteroids) contains abundant deposits of valuable metals (platinum, nickel, cobalt, etc) and governments are in favour of the exploitation of space resources.
- Space debris is another issue. More than 130 million smaller than one cm have been recorded.
- Currently, there is no agreed international framework on space resource exploration, exploitation and utilisation.
- Conflict could arise if countries do not agree on international principles and could also lead to environmental degradation and cultural loss.
- Hence, the development of international norms, rules and principles will ensure effective governance, propel innovation and mitigate risks in outer space.
Existing treaties:
- The Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space: Established in 1959 by the UN to review and enable international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.
- In 1963, countries agreed to prohibit testing nuclear weapons in outer space.
- In 1967, the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, was agreed upon.
- It prohibits only weapons of mass destruction in outer space, not ordinary weapons.
- In 2022, the UN members agreed upon a series of guidelines, frameworks and recommendations on issues such as
- Mitigation of space debris,
- Nuclear power source safety,
- The long-term sustainability of outer space activities and
- Transparency and confidence-building measures in outer space activities.
Key highlights of the recommended treaty:
- A combination of binding and non-binding norms to address emerging risks to outer space security, safety and sustainability.
- It will consider important legal issues, including jurisdiction, control, liability and responsibility for environmental pollution in space for present and future generations.
- An additional framework to prevent an armed conflict in outer space and the weaponisation of outer space.
- An effective framework for coordinating space situational awareness, space object manoeuvres and events.
- An effective framework for sustainable exploration, exploitation and utilisation of the Moon and other celestial bodies for the benefit of all mankind.
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