The Union of Concerned Scientists is organizing a joint project on space security with members of the Chinese arms control community. The primary objective of the project is to stimulate closer cooperation between U.S. and Chinese technical arms control researchers on a growing threat to global security.

There are currently few researchers in China with expertise on issues related to the weaponization of space. As a result, a second objective of the project is to encourage more technical analysts within China to develop expertise on technical and policy issues related to space security, which will allow them to conduct research and writing on these issues, engage with international experts, and become a resource on these issues within China.

The UCS-China Joint Project on Space Weapons connects Chinese analysts with backgrounds in missile technology and space sciences with international arms control specialists working on space security. Participation in the project will help Chinese colleagues understand the range of thinking in the United States about the military uses of outer space and the technical issues underlying them. It will also help Western security analysts understand China’s thinking about space weapons and security, and will allow a discussion of possible arms control approaches.

We intend our joint effort to facilitate the exchange of more accurate information between scientists and policy makers in both countries, with the goal of allowing a more informed discussion of these issues and identifying peaceful solutions both nations can accept.

This project is funded in part by the Ford Foundation.