Why in the news?
US President Donald Trump has offered the ‘Golden Dome’ missile defence system for free to Canada, which had shown interest after the Republican leader announced it but added a rider that Ottawa can have it without paying any charge “if it becomes part of the US’ 51st State”.
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Notably, on May 20, US President Donald Trump said he has shortlisted a design for the ‘Golden Dome’ missile defence shield and made General Michael Guetlein of the US Space Force in charge of the project. In this context, let’s know about Trump’s proposed ‘Golden Dome’ and what it is inspired by.
Key Takeaways :
1. First floated by Trump this January, the Golden Dome is inspired by Israel’s much lauded Iron Dome system — a short-range, ground-to-air, air defence system. But it is far more ambitious in scale and scope, and seeks to integrate “next-generation” technologies across land, sea, and even space.
2. Trump said that the system will comprise, among other things, space-based sensors and interceptors. If this were to be true, this would make the Golden Dome the very first truly space-based weapon system.
3. As of right now, the use of space technology in defence has largely been restricted to reconnaissance. Satellites provide crucial targeting and other data for Earth-based weapon systems such as long-range missiles, guided munitions, etc.
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4. The proposed Golden Dome goes one step further, with the introduction of interceptors to be launched from space. Exactly how they will work is still unclear. But according to the initial plans, the system will comprise thousands of small satellites orbiting Earth, which will intercept an enemy missile mere moments after it is launched, NPR reported.
5. Trump said the defense shield would cost some $175 billion, and will be operational by January 2029, when his term ends. But industry experts are skeptical of both this timeline and estimated cost, Reuters reported.
6. Technologically speaking, the idea behind Golden Dome is not far-fetched. But it is untested, and at the moment, more of a “concept”. “Right now, Golden Dome is, it’s really an idea,” one source had told CNN in March. This also makes projecting timelines and costs very difficult, the article added.
Israel’s Iron Dome
1. Iron Dome is a short-range, ground-to-air, air defence system that includes a radar and Tamir interceptor missiles that track and neutralise any rockets or missiles aimed at Israeli targets. It is used for countering rockets, artillery & mortars (C-RAM) as well as aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles.
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2. The genesis of the Iron Dome goes back to the 2006 Israeli-Lebanon war, when the Hezbollah fired thousands of rockets into Israel. The following year, Israel announced that its state-run Rafael Advance Systems would come up with a new air defence system to protect its cities and people. It was developed with Israel Aerospace Industries.
3. Notably, the idea behind Trump’s proposed Golden Dome is inspired by Israel’s much lauded Iron Dome system. But the Iron Dome’s capabilities pale in comparison to what Trump wants with the Golden Dome.
📌 The Iron Dome does not rely on satellites for any aspect of its functionality, even tracking. It primarily relies on radars to identify and track enemy targets. Although Trump’s Golden Dome will likely comprise radar and other ground-based targeting systems as well, its main selling point, thus far, is the deployment of space-based systems.
📌Israel is nearly 400 times smaller than the US, and consists of mostly flat desert terrain, which makes short-range interceptors ideal and cost-efficient for air defence. Moreover, its primary threats come from non-conventional actors like Hezbollah and Hamas.
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The US requires a far more expansive air defence system. Most notably, the US must be able to defend against Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs), technology which both China and Russia — Washington’s two main geopolitical rivals — possess.
ICBMs can be launched from tens of thousands of kilometres away, and travel to space as a part of their flight trajectory. Tracking ICBMs necessitates the use of satellites. And while they can be neutralised using ground-based interceptors, space-based weapons have long been thought to be more effective for this task given that they re-enter Earth’s atmosphere at hypersonic speeds.
BEYOND THE NUGGET: Outer Space Treaty and Artemis Accords
1. The United Nations’ Outer Space Treaty is an international agreement binding member states to only use outer space for peaceful purposes. It spells out the principles governing the activities of states in the exploration and use of outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies.
2. The treaty came into force in October, 1967, during the peak of the Cold War, after being ratified by Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. It lays down the following governing principles:
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📌 The exploration and use of outer space will be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all countries and will be the province of all mankind.
📌 Outer space will be free for exploration and use by all states.
📌 Outer space is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty.
📌 States will not place nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in orbit or on celestial bodies or station them in outer space in any other manner.
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📌 The Moon and other celestial bodies will be used exclusively for peaceful purposes.
📌 Astronauts will be regarded as the envoys of mankind.
📌 States will be responsible for national space activities whether carried out by governmental or non-governmental entities.
📌 States will be liable for damage caused by their space objects.
📌 States shall avoid harmful contamination of space and celestial bodies.
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Artemis Accords
1. The Artemis Accords, launched by NASA and the US Department of State in 2020, have 53 signatories, including India.
2. It implements fundamental commitments from the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and emphasises commitment to the Registration Convention, the Rescue and Return Agreement, and best practices for responsible behaviour, such as the public distribution of scientific data.
3. The accords are a series of non-binding agreements that establish principles to be respected in outer space.
Post Read Question
With reference to the Outer Space Treaty, consider the following statements:
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1. It entered into force during the peak of World War II and provides the basic framework on international space law that remains in place to date.
2. As per one of the Articles of the treaty the activities of non-governmental entities in outer space shall require authorisation and continuing supervision by the appropriate State Party to the Treaty.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
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