SWF: 26 Space Companies Opposite Anti-Satellite Testing

JAKARTA - On November 14, the Secure World Foundation (SWF) announced that thirty-seven countries strongly oppose anti-satellite (ASAT) testing that carries damage.

Of the dozens of countries that contributed, only 26 space companies signed the Space Industry Statement containing international support and commitment not to conduct ASAT testing.

The SWF explains that space service dependencies are increasing, from communication systems, navigation, to observations. However, this entire dependence could be undermined by the ASAT weapons testing.

The results of the ASAT testing will bring large amounts of orbital debris. As a result, the safety of the space system could be threatened if this test was allowed to last long enough. Therefore, a Statement of the Space Industry was published.

A number of space companies that support this commitment are Amazon's Project Kuiper, Astroscale Atomic Space, Axelspace, Axiom Space, Clearspace, CORSPOC, D-Orbit, Dirgantara, Eutelsat Group, Exolaunch, Exotrail, and HawkEye 360.

Furthermore, there are Iridium Communication, LeoLabs, NorthStar Earth & Space, Obruta Space Solutions, Planet, Private Space, Rogue Space, SCUT Space, OK, Slingshot Aerospace, Spire Global, Voyager Space, and the World Geospatial Industry Council.

All of these companies come from different countries. They are committed not to pilot anti-satellite (DA-ASAT) direct-assisted missiles. All these companies also encourage other countries to do the same.

Meanwhile, a number of experts in the SWF release realized the interest of this commitment. According to them, ASAT testing poses a serious threat to humanity in expanding their reach to space.

This trial can create long-lasting orbital debris and threaten national assets, commercial spacecraft, human spaceflight platforms, and many space-based services that humanity uses every day, wrote SWF.

If ASAT testing is allowed to continue, it will not only be space that is threatened with damage, but also economic activity because operating costs can increase and affect future investor searches.