Nuclear Fears in Orbit: Governing Space Security in a Time of Rising Tensions (online guest lecture)
14 May 2025/PSSI
The Prague Security Studies Institute (PSSI) held a public guest lecture entitled “Nuclear Fears in Orbit: Governing Space Security in a Time of Rising Tensions”.
The lecture featured Jessica West, PhD, Senior Researcher at Project Ploughshares, a Canadian research institute focusing on disarmament efforts and international security. In her work she interacts regularly with key United Nations bodies tasked with space security and space safety issues. Related research interests include approaches to peace and disarmament rooted in humanitarian protection and the impact of new technologies on space security such as cyber connectivity and artificial intelligence.
Jessica holds a PhD in global governance from the Balsillie School of International Affairs. She currently holds roles as a Senior Fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) and a Research Fellow at the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement.
As fears of nuclear weapons in space resurfaced—fueled by NATO’s warnings about potential Russian actions and the unexplained tumbling of a Russian satellite with possible nuclear implications—the lecture examined the realities, implications, and misunderstandings. Dr. West explored what was actually known, deciphered the signals being sent, and assessed the status of multilateral governance efforts – ranging from the UN Security Council to the Open-Ended Working Group on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space – amid intensifying geopolitical tensions. She addressed what sustainable security in orbit might look like and how close we might be to crossing a critical line.