Weaponisation of outer space : a potential to transform peaceful purposes into acts of terrorism

Abstract

With the increasing reliance on space-based technology to assist with quotidian activities, outer space has become a contended but attractive acquisition for states. However, the risks posed by this reliance, specifically in the form of cyberattacks, may create a different threat for states. Space objects form dual-uses for both military purposes and civilian use. While military purposes are limited to the use of space for peaceful purposes only, article IV of the Outer Space Treaty does not define what the term “peaceful purposes entails” nor what a space weapon might be. This research output shares a perspective on how certain acts conducted by states through cyberattacks into other states’ space assets can transform the peaceful military use of a space object into an altered, weaponised space object and its potential to be used to perform acts of terrorism. An analysis will be conducted on the provisions of the Outer Space Treaty against the provisions of the draft Treaty on Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space and of the Threat or Use of Force against Outer Space Objects (PAROS), and propose amendments which incorporate both legal texts while considering the risk of space terrorism.