L E X I N G T O N M O D E L U N I T E D N AT I O N S C O N F E R E N C EFebruary 3, 2018

L E X I N G T O N M O D E L U N I T E D N AT I O N S C O N F E R E N C E

General Assembly

B A C K G R O U N D G U I D E

February 3, 2018

C H A I R S V E D A N T M I S R A

L U K E C H O I L U C I E N O L D E N

DISEC

L E X I N G T O N M O D E L U N I T E D N AT I O N S C O N F E R E N C EFebruary 3, 2018

L E X I N G T O N M O D E L U N I T E D N AT I O N S C O N F E R E N C E

Introduction: In 1957 the Soviet satellite known as Sputnik 1 became the first man-made satellite to orbit the earth. Since then, vast technological advancements have made possible astonishing breakthroughs in space exploration, including the landing of astronauts on the moon in 1969 and the launch of the International Space System. Through applications in everything from telecommunications to astronomical exploration, space technology has the potential to contribute to the betterment of the human race. However, outer space can, and has, historically, been used as a setting for many nefarious activities, particularly the development and potential deployment of weapons of mass destruction. As early as 1967, UN protocols have prohibited the placement of any nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in space and banned the construction of military bases on any celestial bodies. Despite an array of international treaties, the militarization of space is ever-encroaching. Several countries, including the United States, Russia, and China, are creating and launching dual-use spacecraft with possibly malignant intentions, while a handful of other countries have developed intercontinental ballistic missiles and technologies that could be used to attack satellites and potentially cripple crucial communications.

History of UN Policy on Outer Space In the midst of the Cold War and the Space Race between the USSR and the United States of America, the UN General Assembly created the Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, designed to regulate the governance of outer space to ensure a more peaceful future. In 1967, the Outer Space Treaty was signed, requiring that the moon and all other celestial bodies be subject to international law, and prohibits placing any nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction into orbit around the earth, as well as the stationing of any weapons on or building military bases on any celestial bodies. Since then, the United Nations has made significant progress and passed several monumental resolutions regulating the international creation and deployment of nuclear weapons and other potential weapons of mass destruction, including those dealing specifically in regards to outer space. There remain many questions to be answered about how such policies can be better enforced, particularly in light of our growing global dependence on satellite-based technology and the slow but steady militarization of outer space. Delegates of the First Committee on Disarmament and International Security are tasked with the recommendation of resolutions to the General Assembly, according to UN charter.

L E X I N G T O N M O D E L U N I T E D N AT I O N S C O N F E R E N C EFebruary 3, 2018

L E X I N G T O N M O D E L U N I T E D N AT I O N S C O N F E R E N C E

Topic A: Space Weaponry and its Global Implications

Throughout the 20th and into the 21st century, the use of satellites by various nations has flourished because of

collective restraint from all parties involved. However, as near-Earth space grows increasingly saturated with

orbital objects and states develop their militaries, the freedom of all nations to launch satellites and other objects

into orbit is imperiled. The destruction of any satellite results in thousands of pieces of debris flying through orbit

with more speed and momentum than a high-velocity rifle round, any of which can seriously damage spacecraft

or other satellites. Even a dozen of such explosions could render near-Earth space too hazardous for any nations

to use.

As near-Earth orbits grow more cluttered, the probability of catastrophic accidents that endanger the entire

global communications array increases. In addition, the advent of modern technology such as GPS blockage

raises concerns about targeted military attacks on specific satellite orbit zones, completely knocking out entire

communications array networks. Already, several nations, including the United States, China, and Russia, have the

capability of making such attacks, and many more have stated their intent of updating their military for the space

age. While our global reliance on satellite-enabled communication rises, the dangers of misuse - especially the

destruction and GPS blockage of satellites - are becoming more and more pressing. How can we ensure that our

crucial outer space technology remains safe from attack?

Questions to Consider:

1. Is the threat of a completely unusable near-Earth space sufficient incentive to make rogue states compliant to space non-aggression treaties?

2. Should the development of anti-space military technology be allowed on the global stage?

3. What steps can the international community take to reduce the risk of accidental satellite collisions, which carry huge risks to all nations?

L E X I N G T O N M O D E L U N I T E D N AT I O N S C O N F E R E N C EFebruary 3, 2018

L E X I N G T O N M O D E L U N I T E D N AT I O N S C O N F E R E N C E

Topic B: Commercialization of Outer Space

The twenty-first century has proven to have been the source of astonishing technological innovation. Private companies such as SpaceX, routinely set headlines with incredible achievements, such as being the first privately funded company to launch, complete orbit, and recover, a spacecraft; land the first stage of a spacecraft on an ocean platform; and the first reuse of a commercial cargo spacecraft. With a privately funded company gaining high levels of, arguably merited, popularity, it’s not a stretch to say that corporations such as SpaceX, Orbital Sciences, and Blue Origin may quickly attain the size and scope of government funded space programs such as NASA. A major advantage of these privately funded companies are that they are not affected by the same funding problems that have plagued NASA. This allows for more freedom in which missions and explorations that these companies should choose to conduct research on.

As these non-state corporations grow and gain more technology and funding, they will slowly become a more substantial influence in commercial spaceflight. Article VI of the United Nations Treaties And Principles on Outer Space states that, “"the activities of non-governmental entities in outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, shall require authorization and continuing supervision by the appropriate State Party to the Treaty.” How practical is this? In what ways should private corporations adhere to the United Nation mandated space laws? What is the role of the United Nations in implementing new movements in order to improve space security? How do governments hold a role in complying with or holding jurisdiction over these private companies?

Space commercialization is another topic that delegates should be investigating in their own individual research. Space resources is currently valued at 330 billion dollars, which is continuing to grow. Mining for resources in space is almost certainly the next step in our exploration of space. Companies such as Deep Space Industries aim to be the next frontier of mining asteroids for water and resources. However, while space law dictates that any appropriation of any celestial body by a national sovereignty is strictly banned, the Outer Space Treaty makes no specific prohibition or regulation for the privatization of space. How can the United Nations start to regulate the mining and resourcing of celestial bodies? Are there any methods of ensuring that all countries can benefit from commercial advances and resourcing of space?

L E X I N G T O N M O D E L U N I T E D N AT I O N S C O N F E R E N C EFebruary 3, 2018

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