“Such space destruction, disruption, degradation, and denial capabilities are further exacerbated by the susceptibility of space to hybrid approaches and the associated difficulty of attributing harmful effects to space systems. “Potential adversaries” in particular are pursuing the development of a wide range of capabilities from non-kinetic (such as dazzling, blinding, and jamming of space assets) to kinetic destructive systems (such as direct-ascent anti-satellite missiles, on orbit anti-satellite systems, and laser and electromagnetic capabilities), it said. NATO noted that a number of nations are developing counter-space and anti-satellite systems. Even in cases where NATO is not involved in conflict, Allies’ space systems could be affected,” the document reads. “Space is an inherently global environment and any conflict that extends into space has the potential to affect all users of space. Space has become “increasingly important” for the security and prosperity of NATO members, the alliance added. Many member countries are concerned about what they say is increasingly aggressive behavior in space by China and Russia. In December 2019, NATO leaders declared space to be the alliance’s “fifth domain” of operations. Military commanders rely on some of them to navigate, communicate, share intelligence, and detect missile launches. Until now, it has only applied to more traditional military attacks on land, sea, or in the air, and more recently in cyberspace.Ĭonsidering that members have recognized that space is essential to NATO’s deterrence and defense, NATO will consider a range of potential options, for council approval, across the conflict spectrum to deter and defend against threats to or attacks on allies’ space systems, it said.Īround 2,000 satellites orbit the earth, over half operated by NATO countries, ensuring everything from cellphone and banking services to weather forecasts. A decision as to when such attacks would lead to the invocation of Article 5 would be taken by the North Atlantic Council on a case-by-case basis,” the document states.Īrticle 5 of NATO’s founding treaty states that an attack on any one of the 30 allies will be considered an attack on them all. Such attacks could lead to the invocation of Article 5. “At the 2021 Brussels Summit, Allies agreed that attacks to, from, or within space present a clear challenge to the security of the Alliance, the impact of which could threaten national and Euro-Atlantic prosperity, security, and stability, and could be as harmful to modern societies as a conventional attack. The U.S.-led alliance said its collective defense principles will be extended to outer space in response to developments made at last year’s Brussels Summit. NATO on Monday made public its official “overarching Space Policy” that outlines how it would protect its members from space attacks, citing threats from potential adversaries.

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