As opposed to this historical experience, space weapons will be the most difficult to ban and to limit at their deployment and operational stages, particularly where deployment in space is concerned, as it is in the Draft Space Weapons Treaty of 2008. To identify, through the use of NTMVs, banned satellites with weapons on board among approximately 700 space vehicles that are currently rotating in various orbits, would be exceptionally difficult. It could be even more difficult to prove that they are subject to a Treaty without their inspection in space or their being brought down to Earth (even if the Treaty could determine the technical characteristics of banned systems, and not just where they are based and where their possible targets are located).

This can also apply to future compact satellites used as a means of inspection of space vehicles in all orbits. Such on-site space inspection, as well as bringing vehicles down to Earth, is in many cases not technically possible, as well as being dangerous and, more likely than not, unacceptable for states because of military or commercial secrecy. Additionally, the creation of such systems and means of verification may of itself be interpreted as a type of anti-satellite weapon or combat operation.

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Arbatov, Alexey. Space Weapons: Science Fiction, Real Threats and Arms Control Opportunities. : International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament, May 2009. [ 8 quotes ] [ page 16 ]