Space defence - Testimony by Dr. Jessica West to the Standing Committee on National Defence
Opening statement on space defence delivered by Jessica West, Project Ploughshares
Thank you for inviting me to speak on the critical issue of space defence from a Canadian perspective.
As you have heard from Bg-Gen. Adamson, the Canadian military, and indeed Canadians across the country, are deeply dependent on the countless capabilities that outer space provides. The nature and scope of potential threats to these capabilities are both diverse and growing. For these reasons, the 3 Canadian Space Division is tasked with “defending and protecting” satellites. But it is not clear what this looks like in practice.
In this context, my remarks will focus on the need to avoid an overly militarized – and weaponized – response to defence challenges in outer space.
This concern does not negate the legitimate interests of the Canadian Armed Forces in outer space nor their role in safeguarding the ability of all Canadians to maintain the many benefits that we derive from space-based capabilities. However, a focus on defence must include efforts to prevent escalation of conflict and arms racing into outer space. Here’s why:
First, the outer space environment is unique.
Although increasingly referred to as a warfighting domain like any other, outer space is fundamentally different from terrestrial domains. There is no distinct military zone or battlefield in outer space: it is a shared environment used by military, commercial, and civilian entities from all around the world. War in space would have catastrophic ripple effects on all of these users, potentially disrupting the interconnected systems that underpin daily life around the world.
Such conflict risks long-lasting contamination of an already-fragile outer space environment. Objects in space move at incredible speeds meaning that debris from kinetic impacts spread through the orbital environment posing threats for generations.
When considering defence in this environment, space itself is often not the best vantage point for thinking about either offensive or defensive capabilities. Instead, the answers are frequently to be found through responses on the ground and other domains.
Second, the operating environment in outer space is the greatest source of insecurity.
This environment is far away from Earth, which makes the ability to detect and identify harmful capabilities or activities, and to differentiate them from the effects of natural hazards in the environment such as debris and space weather. This issue is exacerbated by a lack of political transparency and the dual-use nature of space technology, which can serve both benign and harmful purposes. The integration of commercial activities further blurs the lines. From a defence perspective, these sources of uncertainty increase the risk of misperception and unintended conflict. Investment in capabilities for detection, resiliency, and redundancy through collaboration with allies is important, but so too is awareness that such efforts often inspire adversaries to develop countermeasures, potentially accelerating arms racing dynamics. It is thus imperative that they be developed alongside efforts to contribute greater collective clarity and stability to the space environment. Finally, good defence requires good governance.
Militarized and inflammatory responses to perceived threats are propelling an arms race and risk geopolitical confrontation. Canada must resist such trends. Defence in outer space should not rely on tit for tat reactions to perceived insecurities or possible weapon systems.
Canada has a longstanding commitment to the international goal of preventing an arms race in outer space, or PAROS. Recently this commitment has been supported through efforts to develop norms of responsible behaviour as a means of mitigating the current environment of insecurity and mistrust; an effort that is notably absent from the latest Defence Vision.
The development of norms requires countries to lead by example to demonstrate the principles, values, and behaviours that we promote. This includes upholding key tenets of the Outer Space Treaty, such as the non-contamination of the space environment and maintaining its peaceful nature. Defence activities are a key part of this effort. Avoiding armed conflict is essential to protect the environment, safeguard civilians, and ensure that outer space remains a domain of peaceful cooperation. By focusing on good governance, international collaboration, and innovative ground-based solutions, Canada can help foster a secure and sustainable future in space.
