THE US has issued a new national space policy that reflects a more aggressive and unilateral stance than the previous version set out a decade ago by former president Bill Clinton.
鈥淭he new US space policy reflects a more aggressive and unilateral stance鈥�
The earlier statement said US operations should be 鈥渃onsistent with treaty obligations鈥�. In contrast, the most recent one, issued on 6 October, rejects international agreements that would limit US testing or use of military equipment in space.
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The new version also uses stronger language to assert that the US can defend its spacecraft, echoing an air force push for 鈥渟pace superiority鈥� made in 2004. It states the US has the right to 鈥減rotect its space capabilities, respond to interference and deny, if necessary, adversaries the use of space capabilities hostile to US national interests鈥�.
The document also details how the US government plans to administer the use of nuclear-powered space craft, which will be used if they 鈥渟afely enable or significantly enhance space exploration or operational capabilities鈥�.
