Space Security

Employment of Space technologies for advancing the nations social, scientific and economic interests in gaining increasing importance in the 21st century. At the same time Space security, which includes the security of Space assets and the ability to use Space for civilian and security purpose, is also attracting increasing attention. During the last few decades the number of states investing in satellite technologies has grown. Today, satellite technology is providing a wide array of services from mobile telephony to global navigation to disaster management. The Armed Forces in various parts of the world have also begun to rely increasingly on Space technologies. Particularly the 1991 Gulf War and subsequent military campaigns in various parts of the world have demonstrated the significance of Space technologies for militaries. With the growing reliance of Armed Forces on Space technology, the concern about security of Space assets is increasing. These concerns have been further fuelled by the anti-satellite (ASAT) test undertaken by China in 2007. As a Space-faring nation it is important for India to constantly monitor the rapidly changing global Space order. This book is an attempt to analyse the ongoing trends in the Space domain and emphasis the need for India to establish a comprehensive Space strategy.