Click on a link for more information.

• The military use of space now
  Space is already used for a vast array of military purposes. There are not yet any weapons in space but nonetheless it is undoubtedly "militarised".
  See:
  - The current situation [more info]
  - Links to news items and articles on Spying from space [more info],

• Bush's new space policy - 2004
  President Bush has stated ambitions to send a man to the moon, build a lunar station and send people to Mars. Find out the real motives for the policy. [more info]

• Space Quotes
  See some examples of Links between missile defences and US ambitions to place weapons in space [more info]

• Types of weapons being researched/developed
  Certain states are developing or researching space weapons or have ambitions to do so, either to attack satellites or to fight in or from space.
  See:
  - Types of Weapons [more info]
  - Links to news items and articles on Lasers and ASATs [more info]
  - The Global Network against weapons and nulcear power in space (external link)

• Nukes in space
  Most nations are opposed to placing nuclear warheads in space as their detonation can destroy no tonly their target but also all surrounding equipment. However, it is on the drawing board. More worrying though is the use of nuclear power on satellites. This already takes place and has poentially devastating implications for Earth should an accident occur.
  See:
  - Links to articles and news items on Nukes in Space [more info]
  - Links to articles and news items on The Cassini mission [more info]

• Missile Defence
  The US is developing a global Missile Defence system. They aim to use space-based weapons as part of this system in the not too distant future. The Space0Based laser and the NFIRE are just two anti-satellite (ASAT) system being justified as part of a defensive shield. What's more, the ground-based interceptor missiles being developed have obvious ASAT capabilities. Missile Defence is the biggest threat to attempts to keep weapons out of space.
  See:
  - The Missile defence campaign site [more info]
  - Swords and Shields: Missile Defence explained [more info]

• Europe
  Find out more about Europes position on military use of space. [more info]

• Parliamentary items
  Click here for details of questions and answers, debates, motions and more on space issues in the UK parliament. [more info]

• Treaties - now and in the future
  See:
  - The Rules [more info]
  - The Outer Space Treaty [external ilnk]
  - Attempts to create a "Space Preservation Act" [external link]
  - Text of a proposed "Space Preservation Treaty" [external link]
  - Attempts to create a "Space Preservation Treaty" [external link]

• Potential problems:
  By threatening other states' satellites, space weapons also threaten nuclear proliferation. In response to space weapons, states that feel threatened will take one or more of just a few options. They may choose to try to deploy space weapons themselves. Such a move would provoke a space arms race as each state tries to attain or maintain dominance. They may choose to develop ground-base ASAt systems to damage the other state's systems. Such a move would provoke deployment or more, more advanced weaponry and possible ground-attack to destroy the ASAT systems. They may choose to try to negate the power of space weapons by creating a large nuclear arsenal that will offer an appropriate threat to the other state. Such a move, dangerous in itself, would also lead to further nuclear proliferation as other states feel threatened by the detriorating international arms control systems. Space Weapons threaten to provoke a space arms race, nuclear proliferation on Earth and space-based war. These are not steps towards stability, security or peace.
  See:
  - Overview [more info]
  - Links [more info]