"The 1967 Outer Space Treaty's language does not…" — Nicole M. Breen (#c379)

Card #c379IR // #c379SynthesisMilitary report

The 1967 Outer Space Treaty's language does not adequately address the three emerging conflict drivers — orbital space debris, the weaponization of space, and asteroid and Moon mining — leaving gaps that could lead to conflict in orbit.

— In our words · Source: Can the Outer Space Treaty Prevent Conflicts in Orbit in the 21st Century? (Nicole M. Breen)

[Use when]

Treaties decay when the technology they were written for is replaced — a framework built for a duopoly can't govern dozens of actors plus private industry.

[Why it matters]

A 1967 treaty written for two spacefaring states now governs mega-constellations, ASAT tests, and commercial Moon ambitions — the gap between the law and the hardware is where the next orbital crisis starts.