Space is rapidly becoming crowded with military systems used for communications; command and control; surveillance, intelligence and reconnaissance; missile warning and other systems used in support of armed forces. As nations increasingly see space as a crucial for its war-fighting, inevitably, space itself is becoming seen as a site of potential armed conflict.

Quietly and without public discussion, we have entered the era of space warfare. Unless curtailed, the increasing militarisation of space will inevitably lead to serious environmental harm, instability and conflict.