Latest news on the debate over the weaponization of outer space from Spacedebate.org. http://www.spacedebate.org/news.xml contact@spacedebate.org (Greg Schnippel) What will the next four years bring to military space policy in the US and elsewhere? Taylor Dinerman predicts little in the way of major upheavals, but still some opportunities for the next administration to affect change. (The Space Review -- July 21, 2008) Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:00:00 -0700 http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1172/1 http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1172/1 The U.S. Navy is floating the idea of developing a new ballistic missile for global attack operations that could also be used as an interceptor in the nation's evolving strategic missile defense system. (Global Security Newswire -- July 17, 2008) Sun, 20 Jul 2008 14:30:00 -0700 http://www.nti.org/d_newswire/issues/2008_7_17.html#E831855A http://www.nti.org/d_newswire/issues/2008_7_17.html#E831855A While the European Parliament agrees that European space policy should not support the weaponization of space, it nevertheless recognizes the need for Galileo to serve the European Union's defense and security -- a change from its earlier stance on the issue. (Georgetown Journal of International Affairs -- July 11, 2008) Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:30:00 -0700 http://sidt.gpsworld.com/gpssidt/System+Design+and+Test+News/Galileo-Key-to-European-Defense-Says-Parliament/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/529246?contextCategoryId=33831 http://sidt.gpsworld.com/gpssidt/System+Design+and+Test+News/Galileo-Key-to-European-Defense-Says-Parliament/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/529246?contextCategoryId=33831 Samuel Black argues for a space code of conduct to help protect satellites from harmful interference. ( -- July 10, 2008) Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:30:00 -0700 http://www.stimson.org/pub.cfm?ID=637 http://www.stimson.org/pub.cfm?ID=637 Space, like Earth below, is globalizing. And as it does, America's long-held superiority in exploring, exploiting and commercializing "the final frontier" is slipping away, many experts believe. Although the United States remains dominant in most space-related fields -- and owns half the military satellites currently orbiting Earth -- experts say the nation's superiority is diminishing, and many other nations are expanding their civilian and commercial space capabilities at a far faster pace. (Washington Post -- July 9, 2008) Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:45:00 -0700 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/08/AR2008070803185.html http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/08/AR2008070803185.html The Secure World Foundation (SWF) has received Permanent Observer status within the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. This status will further SWF objectives dedicated to maintaining the secure and sustainable use of space for the benefit of Earth and all its peoples. (Secure World Foundation -- July 8, 2008) Sat, 12 Jul 2008 13:15:00 -0700 http://www.newswise.com/p/articles/view/542404/ http://www.newswise.com/p/articles/view/542404/ Three European space reseachers argue that space agencies and satellite operators should accelerate their efforts to develop robotic mechanics that can ply various Earth orbits, fixing errant satellites on demand. (New Scientist -- June 28, 2008) Sat, 28 Jun 2008 15:45:00 -0700 http://space.newscientist.com/article/mg19826626.100-orbiting-robots-could-repair-satellites-on-the-fly.html http://space.newscientist.com/article/mg19826626.100-orbiting-robots-could-repair-satellites-on-the-fly.html The U.N. Committee for Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) has taken up the question of space security. While the author notes that U.N. bureaucracies are notoriously slow, she argues that the move "reveals an unmistakable trend toward collective action." (Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists -- June 28, 2008) Sat, 12 Jul 2008 13:30:00 -0700 http://www.thebulletin.org/web-edition/features/copuos-wades-the-next-great-space-debate http://www.thebulletin.org/web-edition/features/copuos-wades-the-next-great-space-debate A Canadian satellite, the Near Earth Object Surveillance Satellite, is designed specifically as an early warning system to pinpoint asteroids on a collision course with Earth. It will also detect space junk in the path of other orbiting satellites to prevent crashes that could shut down telecommunications - television, telephone, GPS and banking systems - around the globe. (Guardian -- June 27, 2008) Sat, 28 Jun 2008 16:45:00 -0700 http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080627.wsatellite27/BNStory/Science/home http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080627.wsatellite27/BNStory/Science/home The Defense Intelligence Agency is worried that terrorists will be able to launch crude missile attacks (similar to China's test last year) against U.S. satellites by 2020. However, the article offers a few good reasons to doubt the intelligence communities track record on assessing military space threats. (Wired News -- June 25, 2008) Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:00:00 -0700 http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/06/the-defense-int.html http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/06/the-defense-int.html