{"id":25282,"date":"2021-09-14T17:30:30","date_gmt":"2021-09-14T17:30:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2021\/09\/14\/head-of-uks-space-directorate-warns-of-space-terrorism\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T17:58:21","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T17:58:21","slug":"head-of-uks-space-directorate-warns-of-space-terrorism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/space\/2021\/09\/14\/head-of-uks-space-directorate-warns-of-space-terrorism\/","title":{"rendered":"Head of UK\u2019s Space Directorate warns of space terrorism"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 The head of the United Kingdom\u2019s new Space Directorate warned that increased access to space increases the possibility of \u201cspace terrorism,\u201d drawing parallels to the way terrorists were able to use commercial aircraft during the 9\/11 attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe all have witnessed what happens, and what particularly happens when the air domain became accessible to all \u2014 terrorists turned airliners into weapons. If such a trend holds true for space, when will we have to deal with our first example of space terrorism? And are we prepared for such a dramatic strategic shock?\u201d said Air Vice Marshal Harvey Smyth at the DSEI 2021 conference in London Sept. 14, just days after the 20th anniversary of 9\/11.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The decreasing cost of launch and the increasing capability of relatively cheap, small satellites makes it easier than ever for governments, corporations and academics to access space. This development has been hailed for the possibilities it\u2019s introduced in the commercial and defense spheres, but Smyth argued that it also opens up new challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\t