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NFLA Secretary Richard Outram joined other peace activists at the online launch of a new project, Space Watch UK, (Tuesday 9 July) to monitor and campaign against the ‘corporate exploitation and militarisation’ of space.
The UK/Ireland Nuclear Free Local Authorities have previously expressed concern at government and space industry plans to develop and deploy nuclear-powered rocket systems and nuclear power plants at future Moon or Mars bases. The expert committee which advises the UK government on the managing radioactive waste has previously ruled out blasting radioactive waste into space as a disposal mechanism in part because it was too dangerous. The launch of space vehicles incorporating nuclear power systems must present an additional hazard should an accidental explosion occur on the pad or within Earth’s atmosphere or should such a vehicle collide one of the many man-made objects already circling the planet in near Earth orbit.[1] There are also legitimate issues about how nuclear waste generated by power plants at a space base will be managed and disposed of.
The NFLAs are also concerned that space is being increasingly weaponised with the major military powers, including the UK, having established space commands to facilitate future war fighting in space.[2] In today’s febrile international environment, with military tension building between the NATO powers, Russia and China, it is conceivable that soon weapons, ultimately even nuclear ones, could be deployed on satellites or at a moon base, despite past international agreements to keep space for peace.[3]
For its part, the previous UK Government supported the development of space ports in Scotland and Cornwall to facilitate satellite launches and has grant funded academic institutions and Rolls Royce to develop nuclear propulsion and power systems.[4] Although much is made of the economic and employment benefits of these developments, many satellite launches have a sinister dual nature, being backed by military corporations and national militaries as space vehicles are employed for mapping, intelligence gathering, targeting and electronic interference; indeed, many would be critical for the employment of intercontinental nuclear weapons in a future strategic war.
Space Watch UK is a project of Drone Wars UK and an affiliate of the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space. It has been established to investigate and challenge the militarisation and corporate exploitation of space, focusing especially on the UK’s military space programme, and supports the Global Network’s call to stop the arms race in space. Its work has been funded by charitable trusts and other bodies, including the Network for Social Change.
Space Watch UK is looking to work with local groups campaigning against space-related developments that harm the environment or contribute to the militarisation of space. It is also keen to work with groups which undertake research, education, and advocacy work compatible with its aims. The organisation is offering to speak at seminars, community meetings and campaign events, and in some cases may be able to support research projects.
Space Watch UK can be contacted by email at info@spacewatch.uk and the website is at spacewatch.uk. There is also more information about the organisation’s position on space issues, and demands on the website at https://spacewatch.uk/about-us/.
Councillors attending the online autumn meeting of the NFLAs Steering Committee had a lively discussion on space-related issues after an engaging presentation from Professor Emeritus Dave Webb from the Global Network against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space.
Activists with an interest in these issues are invited to join the Global Network’s Annual Meeting which is taking place online from 3 pm UK time on Saturday 20 July – details and registration can be found here: https://space4peace.org/event/gn-annual-meeting/
There will be a range of international speakers presenting on a range of interesting topics:
• Koohan Paik-Mander (Hawaii): Missile Defense: the big “KICK ME” sign
• Agneta Norberg (Sweden): US presence & military developments in North of Sweden
• Dr Dave Webb (UK): Concerns about spaceports & militarisation of space
• Choi Sung-Hee (Korea): Role of the space industry in South Korea
• Aruna Kammila (India): Israel and Hamas issue
• Karl Grossman (US): Mining the Sky
• Dr Sandeepa Bhat B (India): Space Security from the Indian Perspective
• Bruce Gagnon (US):Panel discussion moderator
More information about the Global Network can be found at the website at https://space4peace.org/. The Network has also produced a video on the experience of local communities following the development of spaceports in Alaska: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llO5spH6ekI
The NFLA Secretary hopes to work with Welsh peace activists to organise an event to mark the start of Keep Space for Peace week in Cardiff on October 7 and Space Watch UK plans to hold another online networking event with partner groups and activists later in the year – more details on both activities to follow.
Ends://… For more information please contact NFLA Secretary Richard Outram by email at richard.outram@manchester.gov.uk
1. https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/3-reasons-why-we-dont-launch-nuclear-waste-space
2. https://www.raf.mod.uk/what-we-do/uk-space-command/
3. https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/introouterspacetreaty.html
4. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-space-agency-backs-rolls-royce-nuclear-power-for-moon-exploration
https://www.bangor.ac.uk/research/news/new-funding-to-support-space-exploration-using-nuclear-power
