• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • NEWS:
  • SatNews
  • SatMagazine
  • MilSatMagazine
  • SmallSat News
  • |     EVENTS:
  • SmallSat Symposium
  • Satellite Innovation
  • MilSat Symposium

SatNews

  • HOME
  • Magazines
  • Events
  • SmallSat Europe Insights
  • Industry Calendar
    • IN PERSON
    • VIRTUAL
  • Subscribe

Secure World Foundation Applauds U.S. Government Policy Regarding ASAT Testing

April 18, 2022

On April 18, 2022, the U.S. Government announced that it was committing itself not to conduct destructive, direct-ascent anti-satellite (ASAT) missile tests.

This declaration solidifies what has been implicit U.S. policy since 2008 and reinforces recent efforts to promote responsible behavior in space. As an organization that has long called for such a measure, Secure World Foundation welcomes and applauds this action and its positive implications for the long-term sustainability of space activities. 

The debris generated by destructive ASAT tests poses serious physical threats to other objects in orbit, and this risk persists for years, if not decades. The debris from a destructive ASAT test will spread out across a range of altitudes that cannot be fully predicted and will continue to orbit the Earth at high speeds,posing a collision risk to other satellites and crewed spacecraft. If a piece of debris collides with another object, the impact can easily damage or destroy that object, generating yet more debris that can pose an ever greater risk as the number of satellites and crewed spacecraft continues to rise, particularly in LEO. To date, there have been 16 destructive ASAT tests, resulting in more than 6,300 pieces of debris (please see the table below). 

Today, there are more than 5,500 active satellites that provide critical services, including telecommunications, Earth science data, and national security applications. The U.S., as part of an international consortium, operates the International Space Station, maintaining a continued human presence in space for over two decades. China’s Tiangong space station will also have crew on-board, and in the near future, there are likely to be other public and private crewed space activities. Debris can pose a threat to all of these crewed spacecraft, as well as satellites, making the intentional destruction of objects in orbit even more irresponsible. 

With this policy, the U.S. is demonstrating leadership at the international level. By adopting this policy unilaterally, the U.S. is signaling that it sees this behavior as being so irresponsible that it is unwilling to engage in it. As productive discussions in multilateral fora continue on norms and principles for responsible behavior in space, this new U.S. policy sends a clear message about U.S. commitment to ensuring the long-term sustainability of outer space. 

The United States hopes to create a new international norm for responsible behavior in space. We hope other States will join the United States and declare policies not to conduct debris-causing ASAT tests in space. Moreover, we hope the international community will work collectively towards reinforcing these unilateral commitments with binding agreements and verification regimes. This would mark a significant step towards strengthening security and stability for all. 

Source: Global Counterspace Capabilities: An Open Source Assessment, Secure World Foundation, April 2022, p. 5-1,

Filed Under: Analysis / Reports, ASAT, Orbital Debris, U.S.Government

Primary Sidebar

Most Read Stories

  • In celebration of Juneteenth
  • Wishing Everyone a Happy July 4th … Independence Day, U.S.A.
  • Eutelsat's efforts to obtain funding to save OneWeb
  • Forrester's Digest: Starlink active in Iran
  • SpaceX's launch on Friday of Starlink Group 10-34 smallsats may have weather issues

About Satnews

  • Contacts
  • History

Archives

  • July 2025
  • June 2025
  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020

Secondary Sidebar

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
x
Sign up Now (For Free)
Access daily or weekly satellite news updates covering all aspects of the commercial and military satellite industry.
Invalid email address
Notify Me Regarding ( At least one ):
We value your privacy and will not sell or share your email or other information with any other company. You may also unsubscribe at anytime.

Click Here to see our full privacy policy.
Thanks for subscribing!