The Diplomacy of Space Security: Whither the International Code of Conduct? (SWP 38)

The potential for outer space weaponization represented by the testing of anti-satellite weapons by China and the U.S. in 2007 and 2008 respectively has raised long dormant concerns. These may help explain the initiative of the European Union to present a draft Code of Conduct on Outer Space activities in December 2008. This collection of voluntary confidence-building measures has had a difficult diplomatic roll-out, with over five years of EU-conducted consultations still not resulting in an agreed product. An evaluation of the Code's contents concludes that its most promising elements lie in its provision for an on-going, institutionalized discussion of outer space issues amongst subscribing states. A review of reactions to the proposed Code on the part of leading space nations highlights some of the outstanding areas of concern. Unless the EU finds a way to "multilateralize" the negotiation of the Code it may prove difficult to bring this initiative to a successful conclusion.