NUCLEAR WEAPONS AND OUTER SPACE: ARE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS SUFFICIENT?

Abstract

This article critically examines the growing risk of nuclear weapons being deployed in outer space and assesses the adequacy of existing international legal frameworks, particularly the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. Using the IMRAD structure, the research delves into the historical evolution of nuclear activity in space, the dual-use nature of nuclear technologies, the role of private actors, and the strategic implications of a militarized orbit. It concludes that current international conventions lack the necessary scope, clarity, and enforcement mechanisms to address the emerging security threats. Concrete policy recommendations are proposed to prevent the escalation of a space-based nuclear arms race and to ensure the peaceful use of outer space for all humankind.