Nuclear Fears in Orbit: Governing Space Security in a Time of Rising Tension

Senior Researcher Jessica West will deliver the Prague Space Security Guest Lecture entitled “Nuclear Fears in Orbit: Governing Space Security in a Time of Rising Tensions” on May 27, 2025.

As fears of nuclear weapons in space resurface, fueled by NATO’s warnings about potential Russian actions and the unexplained tumbling of a Russian satellite with possible nuclear implications, this lecture examines the realities, implications, and misunderstandings.

Jessica will explore what we actually know, decipher the signals being sent, and assess the status of multilateral governance efforts – ranging from the UN Security Council to the Open-Ended Working Group on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space – amid intensifying geopolitical tensions.

What does sustainable security in orbit look like, and how close are we to crossing a critical line?