I. Historical Analysis of the Development of Technology forthe Creation of Space Weapons

Introduction

The emergence of active models of space weapons in the Earth's orbit can

seriously undermine the foundations of the world-wide system of maintaining peace and security — and actually bring humanity back to the state of ‘Cold war’. If the countries begin to deploy weapons in outer space, this will seriously violate military-strategic equality, creating the possibility of an unpunished first strike. Such weapons are destabilizing in their nature.

This contour can provoke a conflict between the countries that possess space weapons and the ones which do not. This conflict can be both hidden and open, which may aggravate interstate relations and even lead to armed conflicts. In addition, in this case it should be noted that the results of the possible impact of space weapons on the Earth's biosphere can entail devastating consequences for all mankind[1].

Firstly, the creation of space weapon systems is closely connected with the creation of numerous orbital constellations of satellites or space stations on a near-earth orbit, which might create serious problems for further studying and exploration of space. Secondly, it is related to the problem of space debris, the amount of which might drastically increase in case of creation of space weapons and further complicate existing space navigation.

I. Historical Analysis of the Development of Technology forthe Creation of Space Weapons

1) The project created by the United States Orbital Flotilla «Deep Space

Bombardment Force» (1958-1962) and the concept of the nuclear-impulse shipOrion.

During the period from August 1958 to November 1962, the United States conducted ninenuclear tests in space. The purpose of the tests was to investigate the possibilities of using space nuclear explosions to destroy enemy ballistic missiles or, in other words, for the purpose of anti-missile defense. The first operation, called "Argus"[2], was heldin 1958; it included the explosion of three warheads of low power, that is, no more than one kiloton. Theywere blown up at altitudes from 200 to 900 km over the southern part of theAtlantic Ocean. The second operation, called "Aquarium"[3],was held in 1962 over theisland of Johnston in the southern part of the Pacific Ocean. In this test, morepowerful charges up to 1.5 megatons were used. One of these tests, conductedon October 26, 1962, was timed to coincide with the apogee of the Caribbeancrisis. As a result of the explosions, significant twists of the Earth's magneticfields were detected, civilian lines of radio and television communications weredisrupted, as well as some military satellites and one power line in the HawaiianIslands.

The Soviet Union, in turn, conducted four tests in space and one test in theupper atmosphere between October 1961 and November 1962. As in the caseof the United States of America, the purpose of the bombings was missiledefense.

Because of the great damage caused by these nuclear tests, in 1963 the UnitedStates of America, Great Britain and the USSR signed a treaty banning tests inthree environments: the atmosphere, outer space and under water. The informationabout this treaty has already been provided above.

2) The Strategic Defense Initiative of 1983, which is the element of Americanmissile defense in orbit, deployment of various weapons systems, the achievement of dominance in space.

This initiative is sometimes called the «Star Wars project»[4], as the plans toconquer outer space looked too incredible. The ultimate goal was to achieve dominance in space and to create an anti-missile "shield" in order to protect the entire territory of NorthAmerica. Americans wanted to accomplish this task by deploying severalechelons of shock space weapons capable of intercepting and destroying ballisticmissiles and their combat blocs in all sectors of the flight. The initiative did notdeny the implementation of active defensive actions up to attack.

3) Theoretical aspects of the creation of combat space stations. There are somevery important unsolvable problems, which include:

• large mass of stations;

• difficulty of assembling in open space;

• lack of energy;

• the problem of the space-based nuclear reactors.

4) The projects of the reconnaissance satellites "Almaz" (the Soviet Union) and«MOL — Manned Orbiting Laboratory"[5] (the United States of America) in the1970s. Reconnaissance satellites and communications satellites are the mainmilitary use of outer space.

Due to the lack of funding, the U.S. government was forced to stop the MOLproject. However, the empty fuel tank, which would later become a part of thestation, was put into orbit and did not return back.In order to keep up with their main competitors in space, the Soviet engineersurgently started the development of the Almaz station. It was supposed to solvethe problems of scientific, defense and economic significance.

In 1982, the United States of America started actively testing anti-missile systems. In 1988,despite some proved success, the program was closed.

5) Anti-satellite weapons.

The Soviet Union conducted the tests of interceptor missiles. However, theproject was also closed due to debris pollution.

On January 11, 2007, China conducted a successful test of its own anti-satelliteweapon: a meteorological satellite in the polar orbit at an altitude of 865 kmwas shot down by a direct hit of an anti-satellite missile. As a result of thedestruction of the satellite, a cloud of space debris was formed.

6) Separate armaments as an aspect of the use of beam and laser weapons.

The beam weapon is a kind of space weapon based on the formation of aparticle beam (electrons, protons, ions or neutral atoms) accelerated torelativistic (near-light) velocities, and using the kinetic energy stored in them todestroy enemy objects. It was developed as part of a strategic defense initiativein the United States of America.

Beam weapon has three factors of destruction: mechanical destruction,directed X-ray and gamma radiation and electromagnetic impulse. This type of weapon may be used for the destruction of ballistic missiles, space and combinedaerospace vehicles. The advantage of beam weapon is its high speed. Among the disadvantages, such factor as the loss of kinetic energy of elementaryparticles should be regarded.

Laser weapons are designed to combat the missiles of various bases anddestinations, aircraft and protect their nuclear-powered aircraft from guidedenemy missiles. The development of this type of weapons has been fostered forseveral decades. One of the largest players in this field is the United States ofAmerica. They are developing a weapon model capable of destroying the livingforce, which is a breakthrough for the weapons of this magnitude. Companies alsodevelop anti-missile and even anti-satellite lasers. Israel is actively engaged in theprocess, as it developed a chemical laser capable of hitting an artillery shell inflight. Neither does South Korea lag behind in the race for nuclear weaponstechnologies. The main goal of this country is to disable the artillery systems ofthe DPRK and China. Interest in the study of laser weapons is also expressed byChina and Russia. The advantages of laser weapons include: the stealth ofapplication (no flame, smoke, sound), high accuracy, almost instantaneousaction. The disadvantage is its greater dependence[6] on weather conditions.