Anti-satellite arms race

The production and deployment of anti-satellite weapons (ASAT) by the superpowers are not only extensions of the arms race but signal a tacit admission that space is considered to be one of the battlefields of the future, despite international intentions to the contrary. The development of ASAT creates an additional obstacle to international agreement on the peaceful use of outer space and no negotiation to limit ASAT testing and deployment has been reached.

The superpowers have long employed satellites for surveillance, command and control, and for treaty verification. Both the USA and the former Soviet Union have had anti-satellite capabilities since the 1960's though the deployment of these interceptors was halted in the early 1970's.