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Indonesia and space diplomacy: Challenges ahead
In every United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) session, Indonesia has persistently promoted the use of outer space for peaceful purposes through cooperation.
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The Sentinel-3 satellite is arguably the most comprehensive of all the Sentinel missions for Europe's Copernicus program. Carrying a suite of state-of-the-art instruments, it provides systematic measurements of Earth's oceans, land, ice and atmosphere to monitor and understand large-scale global dynamics and provide critical information for ocean and weather forecasting. (AFP/ European Space Agency)
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uter space has been considered a pivotal area for many nations to spread their influence by showing their power in space technology, space military, space armament and space diplomacy.
Since 2017, outer space tensions have intensified after several major powers pushed their capability to test anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons. Furthermore, competition between the north and south has accelerated space industry and commercialization programs.
Recalling its rapid growth of space activities, therefore, space diplomacy is necessary to maintain peace in outer space so that all countries could benefit from outer space activities.
The year 2022 is witnessing a new trend in space militarization, which began in 2015 when Russia restored its space force. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army has also broadened its outer space capabilities by establishing a strategic support force.
The United States developed its space force to counter any hostile acts from its rivals through Space Policy Directive-4 in 2019. Consequently, Japan, France and most recently in 2021 South Korea have bolstered their capability in defense capability in outer space through cooperation with the US.
Since 2019, the world has been attempting to ban anti-satellite weapon tests and development to avoid any astro-political misunderstanding and space security miscalculation, which could lead to a devastating star war. ASAT testing has also raised concerns about the increasing amount of space debris that can put active satellites at risk of collisions.
To address those issues, the United Nations issued in 2020 Resolution No. A/RES/75/36 on reducing space threats through the norms, rules and principles of responsible behavior. In 2021, the UN released First Commission Document No. A/C.1/76/L.52 that emphasizes the prevention of an arms race in outer space (PAROS).
