Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

Anti-satellite painting by William K. Hartmann

In this Arms Control and International Security (ACIS) paper, Christopher Ashley Ford, Assistant Secretary for International Security and Nonproliferation discusses his long-standing efforts to find effective forms of arms control in outer space.

Future prospects

The paper also offers the reasons such efforts have failed in the modern era, before exploring what prospects there yet may be for international efforts to reduce risk, increase transparency and predictability, and head off the dangers of an outer space arms race.

A highly modified F-15A scored a direct hit on a U.S. satellite in this Sept. 13, 1985 test shot over Edwards Air Force Base, California.
Credit: Edwards Air Force Base

This series paper characterizes both the Russian federation and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as rushing to weaponize the space domain.

The Papers are produced by the Office of the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security.

To access the July 24, 2020 paper — Arms Control in Outer Space: History and Prospects – go to:

https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/T-Paper-Series-Space-Norms-Formatted-T-w-Raymond-quote-2543.pdf

Also, go to this special briefing by Christopher A. Ford on the U.S.-Russia Space Security Exchange at:

https://www.state.gov/briefing-with-assistant-secretary-for-international-security-and-nonproliferation-dr-christopher-a-ford-on-the-u-s-russia-space-security-exchange/