Press release

Responsible space behaviours: the UK commits not to destructively test direct ascent anti-satellite missiles

皇冠体育app UK government made a statement today, committing not to destructively test direct ascent anti-satellite (DA-ASAT) missiles.

This was published under the 2022 Truss Conservative government
Earth from outer space night to day transition.

UK government statement on responsible space behaviours:

皇冠体育app UK has today, 3 October, announced that it commits not to destructively test direct ascent anti-satellite (DA-ASAT) missiles, as part of the UK鈥檚 enduring efforts to promote responsible space behaviours.

Space has a vital role for global prosperity, development and security. Space systems have become integrated into global infrastructure upon which modern life depends.

皇冠体育app destructive testing of DA-ASAT missiles can create dangerous space debris, which threatens the functioning of these systems and can put at risk those who explore space, as well as being potentially destabilising.

Given our increasing security and socio-economic reliance on space, we believe that destructive testing of direct ascent anti-satellite missiles can be conclusively regarded as irresponsible.

DA ASAT missile testing is one of a number of threats to space systems. Several countries already possess a broad range of counter-space capabilities that can threaten all segments of space systems 鈥� on the ground, in space and the signals between them.

皇冠体育app UK is leading the international debate at the United Nations to tackle space threats. A UK-sponsored resolution on 30 December 2021 (, established an open-ended working group (OEWG) make recommendations on norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours relating to threats by States to space systems. 皇冠体育app UK is actively participating in the OEWG, which will conclude its work in August 2023.

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Updates to this page

Published 3 October 2022