Copernical Team
France pledges not to conduct anti-satellite missile tests but leaves other options open
Driven by concerns over space debris, in late November the French Ministry for the Armed Forces formally committed not to conduct anti-satellite missile tests. And yet, France's space strategy of 2019 resolved to "toughen" the country's space capabilities.
Given the short lapse of just three years, how can we make sense of France's seemingly contradictory space military policy?
A historic but surprising decision?
In October 2022, the United Nations voted to work towards putting an end to "destructive direct-ascent antisatellite missile testing"—that is, missiles fired at satellites from Earth's surface or from the air. France cosponsored the resolution and voted for it, despite possessing the technical expertise required to develop such a capacity.
The ministry's statement, published on 9 November 2022, is strongly worded. It dubs anti-satellite testing as "destabilizing and irresponsible," and insists France never conducted such tests. It also voices concerns about the potential impact of space debris on the integrity of in-use satellites, as well as for the space domain. France's decision follows that of the United States on 9 April 2022, which the Elysée Palace had then applauded.
Week in images: 30 January - 03 February 2023
Week in images: 30 January - 03 February 2023
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Exploring a turbulent tarantula Earth from Space: Kolkata, India
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