Additionally, some of the systems that might be used to attack satellites, which would therefore be subject to limitation, might also have other, entirely legitimate civilian or military purposes. Reductio ad adsurdum, any satellite that can be maneuvered in such a way as to collide with another satellite could theoretically be used for "antisatellite" purposes. While one might counter that the functions of individual satellites are generally widely known, not everyone will agree. The Soviet Union, for example, objected to the U.S. space shuttle as a potential antisatellite platform since it had the capability to "snatch" satellites in orbit. Even those future systems that have been popularly identified as having a possible antisatellite role-such as space-based lasers or a military spaceplane--could also perform a variety of other missions. The former has in fact been most closely identified with defense against ballistic missile warheads. The latter could be used to perform routine but cost-effective logistical tasks, such as repair, refueling, or replacement of satellites in orbit. Thus, unless a system is unmistakably identified as an antisatellite weapon-either by declaration or unequivocal action--it may be exceedingly difficult to apply an ASAT label to it. Limiting a system simply because it possesses a potential antisatellite capability would be unduly restrictive and could deny the nation capabilities that might prove militarily or economically important. Finally, attempting to place limits on multiple-use systems only if they were equipped for an ASAT role would pose obvious verification and enforcement problems or, conversely, opportunities for cheating by one or more parties.

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Klotz, Frank G. Space, Commerce, and National Security. Washington, D.C.: Council on Foreign Relations, January 1999. [ 12 quotes ] [ page 17 ]