The Senate’s Letter to Prevent the Space Code of Conduct: Issues Remain

Baker Spring / February 10, 2011

On February 2, 37 U.S. Senators signed a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton seeking information about the Obama Administration’s reported plans to join the European Union Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities. The letter is a step in the right direction for the Senate, which needs to guard against international agreements that could undermine U.S. national security.

Specifically, the letter reminds the Secretary that Section 1251 of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2010 expresses concern about the possible negative consequences for U.S. security resulting from space arms control initiatives by keeping limits on space capabilities out of the U.S.–Russian New START arms control treaty. The letter poses a series of important questions about the possible effects of the Code of Conduct, as an arms control agreement.

However, interested Senators need to focus on an additional procedural issue and two substantive issues that are not directly addressed in the letter. (more…)