A growing number of actors are developing Space-Based Strike Weapons (SBSW) precursor technologies outside of SBSW programs. A majority of SBSW prerequisite technologies are dual-use. They are not related to dedicated SBSW programs, but are developed through other civil, commercial, or military space programs. While there is no evidence to suggest that states pursuing these enabling technologies intend to use them for SBSW systems, their development does bring these actors technologically closer to such a capability. Both the number of such technologies being pursued in non-SBSW programs and the number of actors doing so are increasing. For example, India and Israel are developing precision attitude control and large deployable optics for civil space telescope missions. In the last 12 years, a total of nine states have deployed a first small or micro-satellite -- a key SBI precursor technology. China and the EU are developing re-entry technologies which are also required for the delivery of mass-to-target weapons from space to the Earth.

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Cowan-Sharp, Jessy, Robert Lawson et al. Space Security Index 2004. Waterloo, Ontario: Space Security Index, June 2005. [ 13 quotes ] [ page XXII ]