Satellite capabilities greatly enhance both the military and civilian sectors of society. Anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons pose a serious risk to all satellites. Chapter One of this thesis discusses current satellite capabilities. Chapter Two, details the wide variety of ASAT weapons. Chapter Three turns to the intentions of various States to employ ASATs. Chapter Four analyzes the legal implications of using force against satellites---beginning with the laws relating to the use of force in general, including the right of self-defense, and then progressing through relevant provisions of the laws of armed conflict. It also addresses the debate over the militarization and weaponization of outer space and past efforts at non-proliferation that relate to space activities. Chapter Five addresses the creation of space debris---a side effect of ASAT use. I will conclude with a short discussion regarding the potential for a new international agreement restricting the use of ASATs.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:QMM.100241 |
| Date | January 2007 |
| Creators | Hart, Brandon L. |
| Publisher | McGill University |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Coverage | Master of Laws (Institute of Air and Space Law.) |
| Rights | © Brandon L. Hart, 2007 |
| Relation | alephsysno: 002668860, proquestno: AAIMR38501, Theses scanned by UMI/ProQuest. |
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