The Issue of Dual Use in Space
Description
This book offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary exploration of the complex relationship between innovation, law, and security in the context of dual use technologies in space. As space activities expand rapidly, technologies developed for civilian purposes increasingly carry potential military or strategic applications, creating both opportunities and significant governance challenges. This volume examines these dynamics, providing a holistic understanding of the risks and benefits associated with dual use in space exploration and utilization.
At its core, the book brings together perspectives from legal scholarship, engineering, international relations, and ethics to unpack the multifaceted nature of dual use technologies. It traces the evolution of international space law and regulatory frameworks, while also addressing technological advancements such as dual use satellites and innovations for space debris mitigation. In parallel, it explores the geopolitical implications of these technologies, highlighting how they influence global power structures, cooperation, and competition in outer space.
The volume also engages with critical ethical questions surrounding dual use applications, including issues of responsibility, transparency, and the societal impact of emerging space technologies. Through a combination of case studies, historical analysis, and forward-looking insights, it provides a nuanced perspective on how innovation in space can be governed responsibly.
By bridging disciplinary boundaries, this book aims to support informed decision-making and foster dialogue among policymakers, legal practitioners, engineers, and academics. It ultimately contributes to the development of robust frameworks for managing dual use technologies, ensuring that space innovation advances in a manner that is secure, ethical, and aligned with global interests.
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Persons
Matthew Stubbs FAAL is a Professor and Academic Lead (Research Quality) at the School of Law, Adelaide University, where he serves as Editor in Chief of the Adelaide Law Review. Matthew's teaching focusses on international law, human rights and public law, and has been recognised by three Australian national teaching awards. His research addresses the intersection of international and public law, with a particular focus on military law, space law and human rights, and has been published by numerous prestigious journals and book publishers. Matthew is a member of the National Human Rights Committee of the Law Council of Australia, and is a member and former Chair of the Human Rights Committee and Space Law Committee of the Law Society of South Australia, and was awarded the prestigious Law Society of South Australia President's Medal in 2023. He was made a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law in 2025.
Dr Samuel White is the Scientia Senior Lecturer in Military Law and War Studies at UNSW Canberra. He is also a Global Fellow at the Centre for International Law - National University of Singapore. He entered academia as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Adelaide Law School. Samuel has served as both a Royal Australian Infantry Corps and an Australian Army Legal Corps officer in a variety of tactical, operational and strategic level postings. These include platoon command in the 9th Royal Queensland Regiment; Staff Officer in the Directorate of Operations and International Law; Deputy Command Legal Officer Headquarters Maritime Border Command; and Legal Officer Headquarters Special Operations Command. He holds the rank of Major.
Duncan Blake, Lecturer in Military and Space Law and Strategy at UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy. Mr Blake is also a Wing Commander in the Air Force Reserve with 29 years experience, including 22 years permanent service, as well as Special Counsel Space Law with International Aerospace Law and Policy Group.
Content
Introduction.- The Challenges of Duality in the Space Domain.- A Short History and the Current Dual Use Nature of Space Activities in Australia.- Security for Space Exploration Activities on Celestial Bodies.- Heroes, Tourists, and Mining Magnates: Who Counts as an Astronaut in the Dual-Use Era?.- Reconciling the Dual Roles of Military Astronauts: 'Envoys of Mankind' and Combatants.-Who's to the Rescue? The Impact of Dual-Use on Astronautical Emergency Response.-Dual Use Technology in the Context of Space Security, Safety, and Sustainability.- Space Technologies, Dual Use and Export Controls.- The Dual Use Issue within EU Law.- Approaches of Indo-Pacific States to Space Arms Control.- The Dual-Use Distraction: Strategic Interests and the Space Weaponisation Debate.- The Dual-Use Problem in International Arms Control Negotiations.- Expanding the Concept of Duality to Resolve the Duality Dilemma in Space Arms Control.- Clarifying the Law on Space Manoeuvres: Applying the Due Regard Principle to Rendezvous and Proximity Operations.- Duality in the Space Domain and International Law Applicable to Targeting.- Proportionality and (Dual-Use) Satellites in Armed Conflict.- Strategic Consequences of International Humanitarian Law's Approach to Dual Use Space Objects.- Cyber Operations Against Dual-Use Space Systems: An Assessment of the Hacking of the KA-SAT Satellite under International Humanitarian Law.- Ukraine: A Contemporary Example of Dual Use Capabilities.- Conclusions and Future Directions.