SWF Statement – OEWG, General Exchange of Views on Space Threat Reduction (May 2022)

Secure World Foundation commends the formation and mission of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on space threats and contributes key insights on norms and responsible behavior in orbit. The statement strongly advocates for:

• Ban on Direct-Ascent ASAT Testing:
  SWF praises the United States’ moratorium on destructive direct-ascent anti-satellite (ASAT) missile tests and calls on all other states—especially those with prior tests—to adopt similar pledges. SWF argues such tests are inherently irresponsible due to the long-lived debris they generate, threatening both civilian and military space assets.
• Support for Verifiable Norms:
  A verifiable ASAT test moratorium or ban is proposed as a next step. This could serve as a foundation for future legally binding frameworks if there is sufficient international support. SWF underscores that destructive ASAT testing is easily verified, making it a practical candidate for a global norm.
• SSA as a Verification Tool:
  The statement recommends that Space Situational Awareness (SSA) capabilities—both governmental and commercial—can support treaty verification regimes. Public access to some SSA data is encouraged to promote transparency.
• Norms for Military Satellite Conduct:
  Suggests developing a multilateral equivalent to the Incidents at Sea Agreement, to reduce misperceptions from proximity operations or close encounters between military spacecraft. This would help prevent escalation in space by clarifying accepted behavior.
• Clarity on Armed Conflict and Space Law:
  Encourages further dialogue on how the laws of armed conflict apply to space operations, especially in military contexts.
• Defining Responsible Behavior:
  Stresses the importance of forming a shared global understanding of responsible vs. irresponsible actions in space. Establishing clarity is essential for deterrence, accountability, and reinforcing norms-based governance.