An Assessment of Space Security: Understanding Space Threat Vectors and Their Impact onMilitary Aspects and Human Security Under International Law

Manti N. P.

SPACE ENVIRONMENT AND INTERNATIONAL POLITICS, Prof. Dr. Hasret ÇOMAK,Burak Şakir Şeker, Editör, TP London (Transnational Press London), London, ss.209-228, 2024

  • Yayın Türü: Kitapta Bölüm / Araştırma Kitabı
  • Basım Tarihi: 2024
  • Yayınevi: TP London (Transnational Press London)
  • Basıldığı Şehir: London
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.209-228
  • Editörler: Prof. Dr. Hasret ÇOMAK,Burak Şakir Şeker, Editör
  • İstanbul Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

While the concept of space security was initially defined in military terms, depending on the strategic balance between the first space actors, the United States, and the Soviet Union, today, with the increasing number of public and private sector space activities, as a concept relevant to the safe access to space and free uses of space for peaceful purposes, the space security has been shaped as a three layered concept consisting of (1) security of human/state assets in space against natural threats, (2) security of human/state assets in space against man-made threats, and (3) security against threats originating from space, distinguishing civilian and military uses, as well as environmental dimensions, and the use of space for security and defense purposes.
While there are advantages of broadening the definition of space security, there are certain risks as well. In the last four decades, there appears to have been a significant evolution in the sense attributed to the term ‘security’ in general. During the Cold War, the term ‘security’ was understood in a very specific and limited sense, and mostly defined in reference to threats to the state and particularly to military threats represented by the armed forces of other states or by insurgent movements. Within the scope of this study, space security is accepted as a meta-concept that includes (1) the safety of orbiting satellites and spacecraft, (2) the security of access to space, and (3) the contribution of various types of satellites to the safety of people on Earth. While all these three dimensions appear separate concepts, they are interconnected and interacting: the security of an orbiting satellite is significantly affected by threats to the security of ground segment. The contribution of satellites to human security is threatened by both military and environmental threats to satellites in space.