EU military space policy could lead to expensive 'Star Wars' armsdrive, say experts (Daily Mail)

On 21 Nov, 09:11, wrote:
http://www.ng2000.com/blog/2008/11/10/space-policy/

With increasing dependence on GPS it is only natural that the EU
should be carrying on with Galileo. You cannot allow the Pentagon the
ability to cause traffic chaos in the EU any time it chooses.

Equally with the possibility of a space based ABM system the EU has to
keep its options open. Again you cannot allow the US but not Europe to
be protected by a missile shield.

The real answer is for the EU and US to agree a military space
program. This would involve full guaranteed GPS accuracy for all users
over both N America and the EU unconditionally and for there to be
agreement about military action (and encryption of GPS) outside these
areas. It would involve feasibilty studies into ABM systems. Eventual
deployment would be subject to political agreements, perhaps to a
comprehensive system of control for nuclear weapons.

The EU military space program has been brought about by the tendency
of the US, particularly during the Bush years to act unilaterally.
Unilateral action has in fact proved disasterous where it has taken
place. The US will deline in importance in the future even though it
will remain the strongest single entity. This makes multilateral
action an imperative.


- Ian Parker