The Danger of Weaponizing Outer Space
Mike Moore, Research Fellow, Independent Institute
March 19, 2008 @ 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm, LBJ Library Brown Room, 10th Floor
Mike Moore, a research fellow with the Independent Institute, discussed the current state of space weapon technology and warned that the U.S. is drifting toward a policy of space control that will lead to a new arms race. Acknowledging that space-based weapons are, at this point in time, technologically impossible, Moore focused on anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons and the threat that an arsenal of such weapons would pose due to their ability to disrupt communication and information systems.
Moore asserted that future worldwide problems that must be tackled, such as climate change, require a cooperation that will be completely undermined by a new space-focused arms race. Therefore, the opportunity cost of this new arms race will harm the U.S. and the world in general.
Moore called for discussions to begin for creating a new space arms treaty, an idea that has been suggested by countries like China and Russia.
Mike Moore is an author, journalist and speaker. He is the author of many articles on national security, conflict resolution, nuclear weapons and proliferation, space weaponry, and related topics. Moore is the former editor of The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists.
Strauss Fellow Eugene Gholz introduces speaker Mike Moore.
Mike Moore discusses space-based weapons.
Moore answering a question from the audience.
This presentation is part of the Strauss Center’s International Security Speaker Series, which features leading scholars and policy practitioners discussing challenges and solutions for meeting the security demands of the modern world.
The Strauss Center is nonpartisan and takes no institutional position on any issue. All statements of fact and all expressions of opinion at Center events are the sole responsibility of the speaker.
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