Orbital Bombardment: a Future Weapons System Evolving From Asteroid Mining

Abstract

This thesis seeks to increase knowledge in the field of space technology development, particularly space weapons, and the international treaties that might shape their development. The project provides an overview of the top four spacefaring nations, their histories, and their future space exploration goals in the 21st century. A five-point analysis of each nation’s space program lays the groundwork for examining how future forays into asteroid mining might lead to the creation of dual-use space based weapons, including how such developments are impacted by the rise of private space technology companies, whose achievements are beginning to outstrip those of entire nations.