Abstract

The weaponization of outer space, as distinguished from its militarization, has gained keen attention over the years, owing to the advancement of technology and the suspicious space activities undertaken by various nations. The launch of potentially destructive space assets by one nation spurs immediate reactions from other nations in the form of the launch of defensive space assets, emerging into the vicious cycle of space weaponization. Powerful nations of the world have long been portraying a contradictory stand by emphasizing the need for better space regulation on one hand, and continuously launching queer space assets on the other. This is supplemented by numerous issues including but not limited to that of space debris, space mining, and State accountability for restoring the status quo in outer space pursuant to any asset destruction activity. Although the existing international law governing space matters addresses various issues and acts as a guiding factor for international tranquillity, it is not sufficient to ward off the perpetually intensifying space race between nations eventually culminating in space weaponization. The present article furnishes an in-depth research over the issue of outer space weaponization. Chapter I puts forth an introduction to the matter in hand, Chapter II discusses the contemporary challenges inviting urgent attention from the States, Chapter III reviews the existing international legal scenario for regulation of the outer space, Chapter IV renders a critical analysis of the said legal scenario, and Chapter V concludes the research while extending feasible recommendations to the instant problem, promoting robust international co-operation.

Keywords