Space Policy Overhauled; U.S. Adversaries To be Denied Space Access

Space policy overhauled; US adversaries to be denied space access

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/9615.html

Posted on : Thu, 19 Oct 2006 12:46:01 GMT | Author : Bharat Rathode

WASHINGTON: President Bush on Wednesday signed a new policy that said US “adversaries” would be denied access to space. The document 'US National Space Policy', also said it would reject any move to establish treaties that restrict its usage of space.

Any interference to US space activities would be considered an infringement on its rights, the document goes on to say. US space installations are as vital to national security as air power and sea power and hence the US would “take those actions necessary to protect” them. US dependence on its space capabilities is expected to grow which might explain the tough policy.

A White House spokesperson said the policy has only asserted protection of space assets, and not suggested any forceful action. It emphasizes the US commitment “to peaceful uses of space by all nations”. The document also says that any move to ban space weapons would be rejected.

US space activities are “revolutionizing the way people view their world and the cosmos”, bringing greater security, better life and economic growth, the document adds.

The US currently relies heavily on an array of communication and spy satellites for its surveillance and intelligence activities. The tough space policy is intended to prevent adversary nations from disrupting the satellite communication and compromising national security.

The Bush administration denies that the new policy is a marked shift. It was originally given the presidential go-ahead in August but released only this month. It is also the first important revision to the space policy in 10 years.