𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳. 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝗯 (Chair of CND UK) in conversation with 𝗕𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗼𝗻 (Coordinator, Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space US) & 𝗟𝘆𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗲𝗿 (Activist and Science-educator, California, US).

It’s almost 40 years since Ronald Reagan’s ‘Star Wars’ speech proposed the ‘Strategic Defense Initiative’ – a ground, air and space -based missile defence systems to prevent a missile strike on the US. Now space is congested with around 2,000 satellites being used by business and the military to extend their global reach. New launches take place almost every day. Elon Musk’s Space X company is setting up a global 5G system from space and has been granted permission to launch another 12,000, and perhaps as many as 30,000, satellites in low Earth orbit in the next few years. There are plans to set up bases on Mars and the Moon and to mine the asteroids for rare metals and minerals. Space has become big business and those business interests are concerned about the safety of their investments.

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Therefore, an increasing number of states are now following the US and forming their own “Space Force”. The US, Russia, China and India have already tested anti-satellite weapons. Military space planes and hyper-sonic missiles are being developed for early deployment. Satellites are already integral components of armed drone strikes, global surveillance and eavesdropping, dual use missile defense-offence systems and much more. One accident or mistake resulting in the loss of a key space component could initiate a nuclear war. What can we do to keep the heavens clear of weapons?