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The Outer Space Treaty and the weaponization of space

By Joan Johnson-Freese, David Burbach | June 27, 2019

The United States and several other countries appear to be on a path toward the overt weaponization of space. The question is whether international law – specifically, amending the Outer Space Treaty – offers a way off that path and away from what some consider the inevitability of space warfare. This article addresses the challenges to amending the Outer Space Treaty as a way to slow down or abate what seems a fast-moving policy train, and offers suggestions regarding alternatives.

Can international law – specifically, amending the Outer Space Treaty – offer a way to avert what some consider the inevitability of space warfare.

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A painted Doomsday Clock surrounded by text snippets and illustrations from the Bulletin’s magazine archives appears beside text that reads, “Discuss the US elections, geopolitics, space, and more at the Bulletin’s annual gathering. On November 12, join 250 attendees and members of Bulletin leadership—including those who set the Doomsday Clock—at our annual gathering in Chicago.” Below it, a button that reads, “Get my ticket.”

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