Weapons in Space

This problem has a number of significant problems facing the space community. One is the distinction between national weapons and personal weapons. Another is the simple definition of "weapon".

Nuclear Weapons and Weapons of Mass Destruction

Nuclear weapons are already banned from Outer Space by the Outer Space Treaty. This is principally to ensure that global powers were not testing nuclear weapons in space outside of the detection of other global powers, which would circumvent the policy of deterrence.

Complications arise from the hypothetical development of alternative propulsion systems, like the Project Orion, which is propelled through controlled nuclear explosion. As is often a problem in terrestrial legislation, the definition of what constitutes a "weapon" can be difficult to define.

Further thoughts here, at the space law blog, Res Communis.

National Weapons

There are treaties, unratified, that are, as of 2008, still being promoted that include provisions to prohibit weapons. Does this include all weapons, or only those controlled by states?

The debate of the United States' 2nd Amendment rights are likely to continue into Outer Space. What are the considerations of U.S. jurisdiction over extraterrestrial communities, through being the flagged nation, with the potential of weapons protected under that Amendment to breach a hull?

Would law enforcement officers still be allowed to carry weapons in the course of their operations within the settlement?

Further References

Outer Space: Problems of Law and Policy, Reynolds and Merges

-- JonCard - 11 Jul 2008