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The detonation of even a single nuclear weapon in space could destroy a significant proportion of satellites in orbit around Earth: UK statement at the UN General Assembly

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN General Assembly debate on the Outer Space Treaty.

Gov.UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Dame Barbara Woodward DCMG OBE, 6 May 2024

On 24 April, the Security Council voted on a resolution tabled by the United States and Japan, which reaffirmed our commitment to the Outer Space Treaty. Thirteen Member States voted in favour. One, the Russian Federation, used its veto.

Outer space belongs to all humankind and space technologies are critical to our daily lives. From using maps and checking the weather on our phones, to international shipping and large-scale disaster risk reduction programmes, the far-reaching applications of space technologies are embedded in all of our economies.

For this reason, we need to protect and regulate the safe use of space, while taking appropriate steps to prevent it becoming the backdrop of the next arms race.

To that end, this draft resolution would have reaffirmed the existing obligation not to place nuclear weapons in orbit around the Earth. It also called on states not to develop nuclear weapons specifically designed for such purposes. After all, if states intend, as they must, to comply with the Outer Space Treaty, they shouldn’t be preparing to breach it…………………………………………………………………. https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/the-detonation-of-even-a-single-nuclear-weapon-in-space-could-destroy-a-significant-proportion-of-satellites-in-orbit-around-earth-uk-statement-at-th

May 8, 2024 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | space travel, weapons and war