Politicians must not ignore security threats in space – POLITICO

First, Russia needs to be clearly informed of the consequences of escalation in space. Leaving the universe a gray zone only encourages adversaries to test us and risks miscalculation. NATO took an important step in this regard in 2021, with leaders acknowledging that “attacks to, from or within space” could trigger Article 5 collective defense clauses. Agreed.

The next step is to take defensive measures that demonstrate our determination to maintain stability in space, as in other areas.

Second, space needs to be treated as critical infrastructure. Space activities and capabilities are essential not only to national security but also to the economy and daily life, which requires military strategists to work more closely with regulators and space agencies. Space is a delicate ecosystem, and any military expansion could seriously impact all other activities that rely on satellite connectivity.

Finally, we must understand that threats to human activities in space come not only from malicious states, but from any action that unduly increases the risk of space debris. NASA recognizes this, citing orbital debris as “the greatest threat to spacecraft, satellites, and astronauts.” And last month, the danger was highlighted again when a U.S. research satellite narrowly avoided a Russian electronic signals intelligence satellite in low Earth orbit.

In the coming years, as the number of objects we send into space increases exponentially, the risk of such collisions will skyrocket. In 2018, there were approximately 2,000 active satellites in space. That number has more than tripled, and by the end of the decade there could be more than 100,000 satellites in operation. This growth is being fueled by the launch of mega-constellations of commercial satellites by companies such as SpaceX and Amazon. And concentrating so many satellites into space in such a short period of time poses serious risks that have not yet been adequately addressed.

To this day, we lack a clear understanding of how much is too much in the universe. When considering the overall threat assessment, policymakers need to understand the potential threat of new anti-satellite weapons as well as the impact and control of those placed in orbit. It should not be assumed that installing more satellites will necessarily make the constellation more resistant to attack. On the contrary, doing so may make them more vulnerable and vulnerable to a chain of cascading collisions that an attack may trigger.

Space is often described as the next geopolitical frontier. However, in reality, it has already become an important area of ​​strategic competition between nations. While the immediate furor in Washington over potential new Russian capabilities may have passed, the focus should not be on threats in space.

For too long, the universe has existed outside of our political consciousness. And given the central role our orbital activities play for our economies, societies and security, this must change urgently.