La capacidad ofensiva de los interceptores cinéticos exo-atmosféricos en el marco del Derecho espacial y humanitario: usos y restricciones

Abstract

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Even though missile defences have been designed for defensive purposes, the incorporation of exoatmospheric kill vehicles have brought about they have become in offensive weapons by enabling the interception against ballistic missiles as well as satellites. Although the exoatmospheric capabilities widen the strategic range of missile defences, in turn, these capabilities stand for a threat to space assets and space environment. Notably, given the lack of a legal regime that bans the testing or use of interceptors to engage satellites. This article will be focused on researching the constraints that space law and humanitarian law provide on the use of ASAT weapons and will posit a series of measures to avoid jeopardizing the orbital resources.

Keywords

Space security, Space environment, Space law, International humanitarian law, ASAT weapons, Missile defence, Exoatmospheric kill vehicles, Dual-use technology