By Marshaa Balani , C.L. Gupta World School

wallpapercave.comTo overpower or not : A question of peace ?

The tyrannical hands of colonialism now adamantly uphold not just nations, or entire continents, but even the widespread outer space. With a desire to conquer, superpowers around the world lay their prying eyes, awaiting the opportunity to grab and rule. Unlike the ancient world, the utmost art to victory no longer emanates from military prowess, but instead from scientific advancement that in turn contributes to the economic competence of states. In such a scenario, contributions of science are both the weapon and the cure, reminiscent of the two sides to a coin. The developments have persistently protected the peace oriented interests of the international community, while simultaneously threats to global security have appeared unceasingly.  

Progression in the field of science has eminently contributed to the possibility of space colonization. It is a hypothetical form of human settlement. As the earthly citizenry enters new realms of scientific advancement, it is overpowered by the aspiration to attain control over extraterrestrial territories. Once an alien concept, eagerness is now grappling with the light of reality. Characterized by intricately designed projects, with comprehension of multifaceted aspects, and capital worth millions of dollars, it is no longer concise to sci-fi movies and books. A key evidence to support these claims are the multiplicity of attempts in order to colonize Mars.

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The international space station has been occupied by several groups of astronauts, medical experts and scientists in order to apprehend the requirements to host human beings in the hostile conditions of the off-world surroundings. The discoveries in robotics, medicine, astrophysics, and other relevant disciplines have facilitated this study.

Amidst an anomalous crisis such as the worldwide pandemic, pro colonizer theorists have portrayed this strategy as beneficial for the future, claiming that the transformation of humans into a multi-planet species will yield a brilliant escape plan in the case of future catastrophes. This will save us much of the chaos and ensure the prevalence of peace.

However, cons that outweigh the benefits lie in gargantuan amounts. For starters, Lori Marino, PhD, Founder and Executive Director of the Kimmela Center for Animal Advocacy, asserted that the fact that the earth is in shambles is in itself prima facie evidence that we are incapable of colonizing any other planet. Taking into consideration the dysfunctional state of the earth, we ought to step back from this venture, noting our sheer inability to be on the alert. Moreover, we don’t have the ample amount of technological advancement to establish infrastructure and the bare minimum living conditions on other planets. According to one commonly publicised idea, Mars must first be warmed to a temperature closer to that of Earth (from -60 °C/-76 °F to 15 °C/59 °F), which will take around 100 years. The planet must then be created to produce oxygen in order for humans and other creatures to breathe, which will take 100,000 years or longer. And only until Mars has been properly explored for water, carbon dioxide, and nitrates can those two steps be taken.

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Humans haven’t even attempted to live in Antarctica or under Earth’s seas, which present far fewer challenges for human bodies, so why would they want to live on a planet or on the Moon that is likely to kill them fairly quickly?

Another challenge posed by the strengthening of science while pertaining to outer space is the way paved for militarization. Bearing in mind the present-day situation, it is more than likely for the third world war to be an interplanetary operation. It can be used by nation-states as potent spyware against enemies, disrupting their communication networks. If not more, the devices suspended in outer space can be used as a model by foreign manufacturers to replicate the objects without adhering to the research or building costs. These items can also be sophisticated weaponry, such as a higher degree of nuclear arms. Any launch asset, for example, maybe used as either a research rocket or a ballistic missile putting satellites into orbit. This has been the fundamental impediment to defining what a space weapon is and, as a result, establishing preventative measures to ensure a state’s compliance if a convention or accord prohibiting the use of space weapons is formed. Registration of satellites and flights would also aid in reducing concerns about a country’s involvement in the development of space weapons technology. To promote trust and enable cooperation, transparency and confidence-building measures (TCBMs) have been examined and recommended.

A fundamental document with regards to this is the outer space treaty of 1967. Also known as the foundation of international space law, it forbids weapons of mass destruction in space and protects the moon and other celestial bodies for peaceful exploration. The capacities of this regime were further expanded by the 1972 Liability convention.

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The use of advanced technology is varied. It can be used in contexts of maintaining peace, such as disaster management, space exploration, telecommunication, etc. While monitoring other nations is a topic to debate upon, involving controversy, due to the sovereignty and integrity being exposed to compromise. Regardless, the same method can be used by bodies such as the CIA, FBI, and KGB among others to hunt down and eliminate violent non-state actors such as Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and criminal organizations including drug cartels. Accompanied by surveillance of sites embodied by conflict and war, This is inclusive of locations such as Syria, Yemen,  South Sudan, etc. Another major use is by regional and specialized bodies such as the African Union and NATO, to keep track of troops deployed abroad for crucial missions.

Hence, while the furtherance of scientific study is inevitable, its omnipresence is a precursor of peace in the global sphere, as long as we are cautious of its use.