Space and Defense
Abstract
In his address to the 2025 USSPACECOM Legal Conference, General Stephen Whiting underscores the indispensable role of legal professionals in shaping the future of military space operations and maintaining the rules-based international order in an increasingly contested domain. He outlines the rapid transformation of the space environment driven by commercial innovation, technological proliferation, and the accelerating threat landscape posed by adversaries such as China and Russia. The speech highlights U.S. Space Command’s three “moral responsibilities”: ensuring the delivery of space capabilities to the joint force and allies, protecting and defending critical space assets, and safeguarding the joint force from space-enabled attacks. General Whiting calls for creative and strategic legal thinking on issues such as commercial integration, the legality of counterspace operations, and the boundaries of lawful response under international law. Emphasizing that law and policy both constrain and empower military action, he concludes by urging space lawyers, policymakers, and industry leaders to act collectively to preserve security, stability, and legitimacy in the domain as humanity expands its presence beyond Earth.
DOI
10.32873/uno.dc.sd.16.02.1321
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Whiting, Stephen
(2025)
"Space, Law, and National Security,"
Space and Defense: Vol. 16:
No.
2, Article 9.
DOI: 10.32873/uno.dc.sd.16.02.1321
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/spaceanddefense/vol16/iss2/9
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