Legal aspects of the use of force in space

As the advantages of space based systems to support global communications, data transfer, navigation and military activities have been identified and exploited through the decades, the economic and security well being of many nations has become increasingly dependent upon space. In a world of evolving threats, dependence has highlighted the vulnerability of space assets. This thesis considers the current legal framework governing outer space and whether or not the framework supports space weaponization and the use of force in space. Chapter One provides an overview of the journey into space and how the military has taken advantage of space. In Chapter Two, the international legal regime governing outer space is analyzed, and the principle of "peaceful purposes" examined. Chapter Three considers the legal authority to resort to the use of force under international law, how that law applies in the outer space environment and briefly addresses arms control restrictions in outer space. Chapter Four focuses on the future, considering the question of whether or not space weaponization and the use of force in space are inevitable developments in the evolution of uses of space or, if there are viable alternatives that will address valid security concerns while preserving space as a weapons free environment