Anti‑ satellite Weapons. Into the Second Era of Space Militarization

Outer space has been used for military purposes since the beginning of space exploration. Hitherto, the space militarization process has mainly included diverse applications of satellites (reconnaissance, navigation and positioning, communication). Nowadays, a dynamic development of the anti‑satellite weapons is carried out. This process will have a tremendous impact on the perspectives of subsequent military space exploitation, and on the broadly perceived strategic balance, first of all among the so‑called cosmic triangle, that is the United States, China and Russia. The article looks at the dimensions of the space militarization (including weaponization), the typology and characteristics of anti‑satellite weapons, brief history of the development of these weapons and recent accomplishments in that field. The text discusses also the strategic implications of the space weaponization, particularly those related to the proliferation of anti‑satellite weapons and the end of outer space as a „sanctuary”.