Tue Jul 08 03:00:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and news article rewrite of the provided text:
**Summary:**
In May 2025, the U.S. President Donald Trump announced a $175 billion space-based missile defense system called “Golden Dome.” While framed as a defensive measure, the initiative has raised global concerns about the militarization of space and its potential violation of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty (OST). Specifically, the ambiguity surrounding the treaty’s language on weapons in space creates loopholes that could lead to an arms race. This puts countries like India, a rising space power and U.S. strategic partner, in a difficult position. India’s commitment to peaceful space exploration clashes with its strategic alignment with the U.S. The article argues that the Golden Dome necessitates a re-evaluation of space law and calls for updated, legally binding agreements to prevent the weaponization of space. It also highlights the importance of national laws, such as India’s Space Activities Bill, including guidelines for responsible defense cooperation in space.
**News Article:**
**U.S.’s “Golden Dome” Sparks Global Debate on Space Weaponization**
*Washington D.C.* – President Donald Trump’s unveiling of the “Golden Dome,” a $175 billion space-based missile defense system, has triggered a global debate about the future of space and its potential weaponization. The initiative, touted by the U.S. as a defensive shield against ballistic, hypersonic, and orbital threats, has raised concerns among international legal scholars and geopolitical analysts.
The primary concern revolves around the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which prohibits placing weapons of mass destruction in orbit but remains vague on conventional weaponry. Experts worry that the Golden Dome, while not technically violating the treaty’s letter, could normalize the deployment of weapons in space, potentially leading to a destabilizing arms race.
“The Golden Dome is more than just a military project; it’s a potential game-changer in space governance,” said Shrawani Shagun, a space law expert, in an op-ed published by *The Hindu*. “It exposes critical loopholes in existing space law and necessitates urgent action to modernize international agreements.”
The situation places India, a rising space power and a key U.S. partner, in a challenging position. India has long been a proponent of peaceful space exploration and a vocal advocate for demilitarized space governance. Supporting the Golden Dome could undermine India’s credibility, while non-cooperation could strain its growing strategic ties with Washington.
The article calls for international cooperation to clarify and modernize the Outer Space Treaty, particularly regarding dual-use technologies and conventional space-based weapons. It also emphasizes the importance of transparency and legally binding instruments to prevent an arms race in outer space. The author stresses the need for national laws, like India’s pending Space Activities Bill, to include clear guidelines for responsible defense cooperation in space.
First Piper 