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Anti-satellite weapon tests to disrupt large satellite constellations

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The testing of a direct-ascent anti-satellite weapon on 15 November 2021 has prompted renewed efforts in space arms control. A multilateral treaty banning all destructive anti-satellite weapon tests is urgently needed.

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Fig. 1: Catalogued debris from destructive ASAT weapon tests, 27 Jan 2022.
Fig. 2: ASAT debris overlapping Starlink satellites, 27 Jan 2022.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

    Aaron Boley

  2. Department of Political Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

    Michael Byers

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  1. Aaron Boley
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  2. Michael Byers
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Correspondence to Aaron Boley or Michael Byers.

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Boley, A., Byers, M. Anti-satellite weapon tests to disrupt large satellite constellations. Nat Astron 8, 10–12 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-023-02173-9

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