Why Space Force is a Space Farce!

Per the Arms Control Association the 1967 Outer Space Treaty “forbids countries from deploying “nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction” in outer space. The term “weapons of mass destruction” is not defined, but it is commonly understood to include nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. The treaty, however, does not prohibit the launching of ballistic missiles, which could be armed with WMD warheads, through space. The treaty repeatedly emphasizes that space is to be used for peaceful purposes, leading some analysts to conclude that the treaty could broadly be interpreted as prohibiting all types of weapons systems, not just WMD, in outer space.

The treaty’s key arms control provisions are in Article IV. States-parties commit not to:

• Place in orbit around the Earth or other celestial bodies any nuclear weapons or objects carrying WMD.
• Install WMD on celestial bodies or station WMD in outer space in any other manner.
• Establish military bases or installations, test “any type of weapons,” or conduct military exercises on the moon and other celestial bodies.

Other treaty provisions underscore that space is no single country’s domain and that all countries have a right to explore it. These provisions state that:

• Space should be accessible to all countries and can be freely and scientifically investigated.
• Space and celestial bodies are exempt from national claims of ownership.
• Countries are to avoid contaminating and harming space or celestial bodies.
• Countries exploring space are responsible and liable for any damage their activities may cause.
• Space exploration is to be guided by “principles of cooperation and mutual assistance,” such as obliging astronauts to provide aid to one another if needed.”

Now that the terms of the treaty have been explained let us now see why President Trump is wrong in creating a Space Force. The treaty explicitly forbids weapons of mass destruction (WMD) from being put into outer space and it also states that no country can claim ownership of space or any celestial bodies, such as the Moon.

This treaty has been around for over fifty years and yet President Trump seems to think that we should create a branch of the military that would more or less presume to violate it. Why? Because of the fear that the Chinese and/or the Russians might militarize outer space by destroying satellites in orbit around our planet. Should not the already established US Air Force handle this threat?

I for one think that by creating a non-necessary branch of the military, monies would be diverted from more important endeavors and other military programs. Such as fighting cyber security attacks by other nations, groups of terrorists or individuals. To me this is more important in the short term and a revising of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty to forbid the use of any weapons for use against satellites or orbiting habitats would be a better idea than creating another branch of the military.

That is my opinion- Jumpin Jersey Mike