Naval Operations in Outer Space

Abstract

Outer space as a warfighting domain is intimately linked to contemporary armed conflict at sea. Satellites and space objects are increasingly used in support of operational and tactical naval missions. Thus, states have turned toward counterspace operations to gain space superiority and deny military use of this domain to the enemy. These activities include offensive counterspace capabilities, such as direct-ascent anti-satellite weapons (DA-ASAT), electronic warfare, directed energy, and cyber, to deceive, disrupt, deny, degrade, or destroy rival space systems. The Outer Space Treaty prohibits states from placing weapons of mass destruction into orbit around the Earth, install such weapons on celestial bodies, or station such weapons in outer space. But it does not prohibit using space as a medium for delivering nuclear weapons or the use of DA-ASAT weapons against space objects. During naval conflict, enemy military satellites and other space objects are always lawful targets. Civilian and dual-use space satellites may be attacked if they are used by the enemy to conduct or sustain military operations but targeting them requires a proportionality analysis. Consideration must also be given to the potential harmful effects of space debris when attacking satellites.