Securing the long-term peaceful use of space

Abstract

Abstract Dark Skies: Space Expansionism, Planetary Geopolitics and the Ends of Humanity (Deudney 2020) claims that space expansionism will result in the destruction of the environment, hierarchical world government, interplanetary war, and human extinction. This chapter argues that its rejection of space expansionism is unwarranted. On the contrary, global security and the long-term sustainability of space activities would be served by expansionist projects. In support of this view, it traces the historical connection between negotiations for general and comprehensive disarmament and the “peaceful purposes” of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. Archival research from the period suggests that two fundamental problems of space arms control remain unsolved: the problem of verifying treaty compliance and the prevention of surprise attack. In addressing these problems, the chapter draws inspiration from proposals by space lawyers in the 1950s and early 1960s.