Space Weapons The Arms Control Dilemma

Satellitfunktioner; Antisatellitvåben, ASAT; Laser; Antiballistisk missilforsvar, ABM; Forsvarsvåben.

This book puts the widely-held view that 'arms control in space is not possible' to the test and aims to explore how, and under what conditions, arms control could become a reality. Drawing upon international regimes and IR theory, Mutschler examines the success of space weapons and anti-ballistic missiles.

This book, first published in 1982, analyses the prospects of the Cold War superpowers arms race spilling into outer space. A SIPRI-organized symposium in 1981 discussed the consequences of the militarization of outer space, as well as further arms control and disarmament measures. This book presents the findings of 20 eminent scientists, lawyers and diplomats from 12 different countries.

A clear and lively account of the space-weapons issue. The authors examine all aspects of the Strategic Defense Initiative proposal its historical background, current and forthcoming technologies, and international political implications. The book is divided into three main sections. The first part describes the historical development of space-weapons technology from the 1920s to the present day. The second part provides a detailed technical assessment of the anti-missile systems being pursued as part of the Strategic Defense Initiative. It also considers the countermeasures to SDI that are currently in existence or are being developed by the United States and the Soviet Union. The third part examines the international political and strategic implications of SDI and their probable consequences for arms-control policies.