Space Security Index

Space Security 2011
64
2010 Development
Shift in U.S. National Space Policy toward increased international cooperation and responsible use of
space, but domestic objectives face implementation problems
Following Presidential Study Directive-3 (PSD-3) issued by President Obama in May 2009,
calling for a broad review of President George Bush’s October 2006 space policy, 53 the
new National Space Policy of the United States was released on 28 June 2010. e Bushera
policy was criticized for its unilateral and U.S.-centric tone 54 and, as anticipated, 55 the
Obama administration changed the focus of U.S. space policy to increased international
cooperation, when it is in the interests of the U.S. Although the policy review did not
detail the specic steps that the government would take to achieve such cooperation, 56 the
2010 Space Policy outlined potential areas for cooperation. 57 e administration’s current
focus for arms control is on pursuing bilateral and multilateral transparency and condencebuilding
measures (TCBMs) to encourage responsible actions in space, as well as shared
space situational awareness, improved information sharing for collision avoidance, and
orbital debris mitigation. 58
In an apparent departure from the 2006 Space Policy, which stated that “the United States
will oppose the development of new legal regimes or restrictions that seek to prohibit
or limit U.S. access to or use of space,” 59 the 2010 Space Policy states that the U.S. will
pursue TCBMs and “consider proposals and concepts for arms control measures if they
are equitable, eectively veriable, and enhance the national security of the United States
and its allies.” 60 Because it emphasizes the desire to enhance the country’s ability to identify
and characterize threats and, if necessary, deter and defeat eorts to interfere with or attack
U.S. or allied space systems, some commentators are not certain that U.S. space policy has
substantially changed regarding warfare in space. 61 On the other hand, the 2010 policy states
that the U.S. considers the security and sustainability of space vital to its interests, that “space
systems of ALL nations…have the rights of passage through, and conduct of operations
in space without interference,” and that the U.S. will help “assure the use of space for all
responsible parties.” 62
In October 2010, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden undertook a “very comprehensive
visit” 63 of facilities linked to China’s manned space ight program and held talks with
senior ocials. He concluded that the visit “had helped the two sides ‘reach a common
understanding of the importance of transparency, reciprocity and mutual benet as the
underlying principles of any future interaction’ in the area of space ight.” 64 A less optimistic
assessment was made by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), which found the
administration’s attempts to engage China unproductive. According to Gregory Kulacki,
China Program manager at UCS, “Obama administration ocials responsible for engaging
China on space issues have privately confessed frustration and disappointment with China’s
response to their eorts, which they perceive as a lack of interest.” 65
2010 Development
Despite initial delay, the U.S. Space Posture Review concludes with the release of the National Space
Security Strategy
e Space Posture Review (SPR) was mandated by the FY09 National Defense Authorization
Act to analyze the relationship between military and national security space strategy and
assess space acquisition programs, future space systems, and technology development. e
review, initially slated to be unveiled on 1 February 2010, was delayed; 66 instead an interim
report was sent to Congress in March 2010. 67 e report highlighted, among other issues, the