Image source: topwar.ru
With increasing number of space objects and the increasing militarization of near-earth space, grow some of these threats, including commercial companies engaged in the exploration of near space. A special study on this topic, a brief review of which is published weekly Breaking Defense, held the experts of the Center for space policy and strategy of the company Aerospace Corp.
The experts came to the conclusion that commercial satellites are faced with increasing risks of unintentional or deliberate destruction in armed conflicts, which requires the adoption of special rules for space security at the international level.
— says study author Robin wild, stressing that now there are some rules of international law, "which could help mitigate this issue."
According to the expert, the problem of security of commercial satellites and the need for legal regulation of this issue at the international level showed the conflict in Ukraine. So, according to her, the former head of "Roskosmos" Dmitry Rogozin had publicly called SpaceX, whose satellites Starlink used by Kiev, an arm of the Pentagon. In turn, the owner of the company SpaceX Elon Musk announced that his companions several times subjected to cyber-attacks.
— is emphasized in the study.
Until recently, only some governments and the United Nations were engaged in a discussion of the politics of space security. The report says that this issue should connect and commercial companies that may directly or indirectly participate in international negotiations and the development of safety standards in the near-earth space.
Wild believes that in space you need to create a security system similar to that which operates in the ground-based armed conflict. In particular, should be taken of the rule according to which some civil satellites under no circumstances, shall not be destruction of the warring parties, they should be covered by the Geneva Convention. Other rules may be the adoption of minimum cybersecurity standards for all satellites.
In addition, it is noted in the report, you should limit the use of anti-satellite missiles, even on military targets. After the destruction of a military satellite as a result of the dispersion of the debris may suffer and space objects for commercial purposes, including fulfilling an important civic function.
Expert calls on commercial companies, governments, engaged in the exploration of space, sit down at the negotiating table for drafting and adopting rules and regulations to regulate issues of space security.
— according to the author of the report.
