Cyber-attacks impacting satellite networks and GPS spoofing incidents brought to focus the issues concerning dual use satellites and modern space warfare.
Space in Modern Warfare
- Meaning: Refers to military conflict conducted into or from outer space, aimed at disrupting or destroying satellites and other space assets.
- It involves Kinetic (Anti- satellite weapons) and Non-kinetic weapons (cyber warfare and electromagnetic pulses (EMPs)).
Consequences of Space Warfare
- Swiftness and Scale: Space amplifies weapon platforms by increasing velocities for missile trajectories, thus, enhancing speed and accuracy, potentially escalating conflicts.
- Military Actions: Impair military operations like distant Drone operations, Anti-Access and Area Denial (A2/AD), and Manned Unmanned Teaming (MUMT) missions, etc.
- Debris: A minuscule fragment of wreckage from an obliterated satellite can harm spacecraft like International Space Station.
- Disruption of Essential Services: Including GPS Systems, Banking and power grids causing blackouts, etc.
Key Measures Preventing Warfare in Space
- Outer Space Treaty (1967): Prohibits deployment of weapons of mass destruction into space.
- The Liability Convention (1972): Expands upon Article 7 of Outer Space Treaty, establishing absolute liability for launching states for damages caused.
- The Moon Agreement (1984): Moon and other celestial bodies be used exclusively for peaceful purposes.
- Key Indian Initiatives: Defence Space Agency (DSA) to protect Indian interests in outer space; Guidelines for Space Cyber Security by Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), etc.
