1. Consolo, Robert
CSO 310 Position Paper – Global Threats
One of the biggest problems that I see being brought up is the wording within Article IV in the
Ouster Space Treaty. It states “State Parties to the Treaty undertake not to place in orbit
around the Earth any object carrying nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons, …the
testing of any type of weapons and the conduct of military maneuvers on celestial bodies shall
be forbidden.” By the wording of this article it details that the installation or use of a nuclear
weapon in the outer space environment is very much so in violation of the treaty. Now this
definitely does not mean that we shouldn’t do it because otherwise, we are all dead. The article
would just have to be revisited and altered to support situations in which the use of weapons is
in the interest of all of mankind. In Part 4 of the text, Alexander goes in to the fact that there is
much dispute on what the OST is trying to say when they mention “peaceful uses” which plays a
pretty integral role in this situation. The two scopes that are questioned is whether “peaceful”
means;
 Non-Military: i.e. prohibiting any military activities/uses of outer space
 Non-Aggressive: i.e. prohibiting aggressive activities/uses of outer space but allowing
the use of military personnel, the establishment of certain military installations, space
activities by military forces, etc
If looked at as Non-Aggressive than the use of the nuclear weapon to protect the world would
be in accordance with the Outer Space Treaty as the use of said weapon would be Non-
Aggressive and for the benefit of all. If seen as Non-Military than the action would be
prohibited as this would be considered a military action and, by the Outer Space Treaty, not
peaceful. Now if it were to be looked at as Non-Military, it would also make all surveillance
operations as well as any operation conducted by personnel on board the ISS that is not for
science no longer in accordance with the Outer Space Treaty which I am sure would bring up
some debate. To answer the question “Would the deflection of the asteroid through a nuclear
explosion constitute a breach of Art IV OST?” it comes down to interpretation by the State
Parties. If they view the OST’s definition of “peaceful” as Non-Aggressive than I see no reason
to constitute the use of a nuclear weapon for the benefit of all mankind as a breach. If viewed
as Non-Military, than any use of any weapon would be seen as a breach but I am sure they
could find a medium if they understood that without this being the done, mankind would surely
meet its end.