1. There is an ongoing debate on the issue of weaponization of space in order to protect our national space assets and achieve national strategic objectives. This is a problem because of the rise of spacefaring nations seeking to exploit the benefits of space and other nations also seeking to develop capabilities to prevent others from using it. This background document will outline current international laws and policies, our national space policies, current issues that have catalyzed this debate, and the advantages and disadvantages of weaponizing space.2. Space is also governed by rules and laws, just as we do on land and sea. The “Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies,” or commonly referred to as the Outer Space Treaty, was signed in 1966 by many nations, including the United States, and is the basis for most international space laws and policies. Some key points to draw from this treaty in relation to the space weapons debate are as follows: “(1) outer space is open to all nations to explore and use; (2) nations cannot own any portion of outer space; (3) outer space will be used for peaceful purposes; (4) nations may not place, orbit, or station in space any weapons of mass destruction in any form.” (UNOOSA) These principles and laws are also primarily reflected in our nation's space policy and our national security space strategy. Our National Space Policy (NSP) is derived from the vision and direction of the President. The NSP incorporates terms outlined in the Outer Space Treaty, as well as two caveats: (1) deter, defend our nation's space assets, and “if deterrence fails, defeat efforts to attack them [enemyCapt Cho/SOS/ Flight C-33 /3-6060/DBC/06 May 2011threats]” (NSP, 3); (2) “work with international partners to continue to promote the peaceful use of space.” the NSP shapes the National Security Space Strategy (NSSS), which the Department of Defense uses to direct how the military develops and uses space capabilities NSSS says some current trends in space are “. congested and contested” (NSSS, 8), which is shaping our strategic space environment and fueling debates about space weapons. The “congested” trend refers to the current “60 countries and government consortia that own and operate satellites and the expectation to have 9000 satellite communications transponders in orbit by 2015.