Planetary Geopolitics, Space Weaponization and Environmental Harms

Abstract While the militarization of space has been occurring since the 1950s, it was not considered a domain of fighting nor was it being fully weaponized until recently. Yet, there is a glaring absence of research on space weaponization or space environmental harms by criminologists. Here, using a retrospective approach we juxtapose the environmental harms from wars, military weapon development, maintenance and readiness on Earth and known harms that have occurred due to space expansionism and the space arms race. We then use a prospective approach to critically examine anticipated environmental harms of space weaponization. Our goal is to contribute to research in green criminology and to begin a critical dialogue on planetary geopolitics, space weaponization and the space arms race.