Edge of the Law

Edge of the Law


Nukes in Orbit and Outer Space Law

April 29, 2024

Russian space nukes, international space law, blowing up satellites, and the militarization of the final frontier.... we talk space law with expert Frans von der Dunk. This episode unpacks the startling history of nuclear weapons tests in space, like the infamous Starfish Prime, and explores the consequent dangers these activities pose to satellite safety and global security. Professor von der Dunk sheds light on the Outer Space Treaty and the Partial Test Ban Treaty, explaining their roles in governing the deployment of weapons of mass destruction in the cosmos. As countries flirt with the boundaries of these treaties, we discuss potential future conflicts and the legal ramifications of military actions in space. Tune in to unravel the complexities of international space law, historical incidents of space weaponization, and the ongoing debate over the militarization of the final frontier.