ASAT Testing Moratorium Gaining Traction: SWF

The idea of a voluntary moratorium on destructive anti-satellite (ASAT) testing has growing momentum internationally, with 10 nations so far having followed the U.S.' moratorium announced in April (see 2204190057), Secure World Foundation Program Planning Director Brian Weeden said Wednesday. In a webinar, Weeden said that support also was shown in more than 150 nations voting in December at the U.N. General Assembly for a moratorium. One hurdle to adoption by nations like Russia, China and India -- all of which developed and tested destructive ASAT capabilities -- is that they're developing those capabilities for different reasons, so no one argument works for all of them, Weeden said. Another challenge is defining what a space weapon is, since a light-detection and ranging sensor on a satellite for docking purposes also could be employed as a weapon. How to verify compliance with a voluntary moratorium or treaty is also an open question, he said.