NASA Astronaut Warns Against Firing Missiles in Space

A former NASA astronaut has warned that humanity faces an “incredible threat” from missiles fired in space.

General Charles Bolden issued the stark warning about the dangers of kinetic weapons in space as he urged spacefaring nations to adopt and enforce norms of behavior to prevent catastrophes.

Speaking to National Security News at the Meridian Space Diplomacy Forum in Washington, Gen. Bolden stressed the need for clear rules.

“It is important that the major space nations understand the incredible threat of using kinetic weapons in space,” Bolden said.

Gen. Bolden said: “We’ve all, including the U.S., tested anti-satellite weapons. We quickly realized it’s a bad idea because when you hit an object with a kinetic weapon, it creates debris that lingers in orbit and below for months, if not years.”

Kinetic weapons, which destroy targets through high-speed impact, could create large amounts of debris that remain in orbit for extended periods, posing significant threats to satellites and space missions.

Boden’s comments come as concerns grow over the creeping militarization of space operations.

Last week, General Stephen Whiting, Commander of U.S. Space Command, said that the U.S. must develop these weapons to ensure “space superiority” over adversaries like China and Russia. He argued that this would deter attacks on American space assets and be necessary in wartime.

According to Air & Space Forces Monthly, he called for space-based weapons capable of striking targets on Earth or in space.

Bolden, a former astronaut who flew four Space Shuttle missions, said, “There is vast potential for collaboration and cooperation in space.”

He added that agreed norms are vital to ensure that space remains a domain of peace and scientific progress.

As a model of international cooperation, Bolden pointed to the International Space Station (ISS), noting that even during times of terrestrial conflict, spacefaring nations have managed to work together aboard the ISS. This spirit of collaboration, he suggested, should guide future endeavors in space.

A cooperative spirit is also reflected in the Artemis Accords, a set of principles established by NASA and several other nations in 2020 to govern the civil exploration and use of outer space. To date, 43 countries have signed the accords, which emphasize the importance of compliance with the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.

One of the key principles of the Artemis Accords is the prevention of space weaponization, aligning with Bolden’s call for norms of behavior that prohibit the use of destructive technologies like kinetic weapons.

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