The fourth issue of Militär Aktuell is being published this year. Much (but not all) of the content revolves around the ever-intensifying power struggle in space. An increasingly fierce competition for technology, influence and military superiority is raging in orbit. From photon torpedoes and disruptors to super lasers powered by cyber crystals to destroy entire planets – highly adventurous space weapons are used in many science fiction films. Warlike conflicts, as we know them from Earth, are also fought out in space. Although we are (still?) a long way from galactic battles and fights between spaceships today, outer space is reliably moving up the military’s agenda. More and more states are recognizing orbit as an operational area. Efforts to protect – and combat! – of communications, earth observation and navigation infrastructure installed in orbit are increasing. A dynamic power struggle has broken out, particularly between the USA, Russia and China in the race for cosmic weapons and information systems. The long-feared militarization of space has long since begun! As Maya Janik explains in the cover story of our new issue, international diplomacy is now required to ensure that this new space race does not get completely out of control. This would require internationally recognized standards and regulations backed by sanctions through agreements. In the current geopolitical climate, however, this is probably a rather distant dream. Instead, it is to be feared that – with the aim of remaining militarily competitive – smaller states will increasingly join the race alongside the large nations. Especially as the entry costs are now quite manageable, as General Dennis Luyt, commander of the Dutch Air Force, explained at the Air Chiefs Conference in Dubai (story also in this issue). His army recently put its first satellite into orbit at a cost of just five million euros. According to Luyt, this satellite is now carrying out “valuable reconnaissance work”. “The highly efficient cost-benefit factor is already clear.” You don’t have to be a clairvoyant to predict that other armed forces will soon follow the Dutch example. Perhaps one day there will even be an army satellite orbiting above our heads.
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