The Next Space Security Norm

The U.S. government has led in the development of new space security norms, such as a commitment to not conduct destructive direct-ascent anti-satellite missile tests. While it may seem incongruous to expand norm-building efforts at a time when Russia is reportedly close to launching an orbital weapon that would violate its legally binding commitments under the Outer Space Treaty, it is not too soon to consider the next major space security norm effort. This chapter summarizes the norms discussions in various United Nations bodies and proposes criteria for their application to a series of potential norm options that the United States and like-minded nations could champion. Should the U.S. government wish to take a strategic approach to future space security norm development, senior leaders should consider now whether these ideas should form the basis for that effort. 

Author: Robin Dickey

This paper was published in Space Agenda 2025, an effort by the Center for Space Policy and Strategy (CSPS) at The Aerospace Corporation to highlight and provide insights into some of the major space challenges facing policymakers. You can read the entire list of Space Agenda 2025 papers here.