U.S. vows not to conduct anti-satellite tests

Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday pledged that the United States would not conduct destructive anti-satellite tests and called on other nations to follow suit, in her first major policy announcement since taking the reins of the National Space Council last year.

The commitment, during a visit to Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, comes as the Biden administration seeks to build new momentum for international norms to ensure that the space race can be sustained and to reduce the chances of conflict in orbit.

“As of today the United States commits not to conduct destructive, direct-ascent, anti-satellite missile testing,” Harris said. “Simply put, these tests are dangerous and we will not conduct them. We are the first nation to make such a commitment. I call on all nations to join us.”