What's Up With the Militarization of Space?

Could there be nuclear weapons in space? Neil deGrasse Tyson breaks down the militarization of space, The Space Force, and whether we should be worried about weapons in orbit.
How long has space been militarized? Learn about the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and whether we can achieve peaceful use of outer space. We explore The Space Force, the importance of satellites, and how the military already uses low Earth orbit. Plus, what would aliens think of our use of outer space?
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Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!
#StarTalk #neildegrassetyson
Timestamps:
00:00 - What’s Up with the Militarization of Space?
2:45 - What The Space Force Does
6:11 - Putting Weapons in Orbit
11:34 - Redirecting Asteroids
12:55 - How We Treat Our LEO Environment

[@StarTalk]

Who thinks we need a renewed space treaty?

[@Mark_5150]

Treaties are about as useful as a lock on a door. They only keep the honest people honest. Bad actors will break the lock, or the treaty.

[@ycart_tech6726]

Who is "we"? Who are "we" signing into it with? As for your inquiry... I just believe space is large enough to fit everyone's stupidity in it without frictional overlapping...

[@MV12267]

Criminals don't care about treaties.

[@ycart_tech6726]

Einstein doesn't agree, but... hopefully it's another part of his theory that will eventually be proven obsolete... eventually...

[@thehumus8688]

Well, US is the one that Pull out from Anti Ballistic Missile Treaty in 2002 So Russia is basicly feel the need to Developed new Balistic Missile System to Counter the Anti Ballistic Missile that US developed. Hypersonic Glide Vehicle, Hypersonic Missile, Fractional Orbital Bombardment was trending nowdays. exactly 20 years after that event - which basicly a common development cycle for weapons (20 years is avrg development time of new Weapon) I belive US SecDef at that time critizise the decision, that it would start a New Nuclear Arms Race - and well............... it did Also Both Russia and US adopt First Strike Nuclear Doctrine. The Appeal of Putting WMD in Space, was Decapitation Strike. If ICBM was launched - countries and Military command would have 60-90 min response time. but for Space borne weapon, in theory the time for Response would be in less than 5 min. that mean a Goverment and Military would not give a proper response - a scenario where Bomber would have no time to get into air, or President would not even yet informed of Enemy Nuclear attack. There ofc Mutual Assured Destruction in place, Where it rely on ICBM Nuclear Submarine - that can Retaliate and Bring Destruction back to Enemy - which act as Deterence of any First Strike Attempt But The Tennet of First Strike Doctrine, was that Nuclear War can be Won. and to do so, you need to Decapitate Military and Goverment chain of Command, And WMD in space was in theory is the most Ideal tool, to achive that. as it act as omnipresence Sword of Damocles Thats the Theory behind it anyway, but Nuclear War very likely not going to happen in vacum. it would only reached as escalation upon escalation of Conventional war. - where before it reach point of Someone envoke First Strike, the opponent would very likely prepared enough to not be decapitated in first move - space based weapon of not

[@alswedgin9274]

We need a renewed Earth Treaty.

[@artempokrov8393]

States share resources, people share money, terrorists waste everything.

[@timmy-wj2hc]

We need the US to honor them and not unitarily withdraw.

[@EmpyreanLightASMR]

startalk needs a renewed lighting director.

[@middle-agedmacdonald2965]

Blowing up satellites, and inducing kessler syndrome makes perfect sense in the age of a.i. It basically would create an impenetrable moat technological wise. Look at from the US defense side of things. The Saudis are spending billions on a.i research, if they have a breakthrough, and create a genuine super intelligence, every satellite is now under their control, those who control the satellites have control over those who use the satellites. So in that kind of scenario, it might make a lot of sense for the US to BLOW space up. Yeah it sucks for the people in the future, but we're living now, and we have to react to threats as best we can.

[@tedl7538]

@@timmy-wj2hc Unilaterally 🧐

[@user-xw4bs6ke5l]

Star talk made me love physics.

[@ivo3598]

same

[@NaNo-gc2bs]

True

[@ryvyr]

StarTalk and PBS SpaceTime Oh and FermiLabs, and surely other things prior and post KZbin

[@RedShoesSmith]

I love these short 8 to 16 minute topical vids. Neil doin his thing =)

[@klani1309]

Thanks for clearing up some of the confusion on the improbabilities!

[@kibervatniki7552]

The United States is the most militaristic and aggressive country in the world. Neil Tyson, are you planning to renounce your U.S. citizenship in order not to be part of the Evil Empire?

[@psk177]

It’s 100% to defend against the imperial army, the clones, and the sith.

[@ragemachine420]

Jedi knight Neil degrasse

[@ragemachine420]

Would definitely demand the purple lightsaber lol

[@freeculture]

The clones were made to defend the republic...

[@jman7638]

@@L9MN4sTCUkMaybe, from his point of view, the JEDI are evil…

[@Idkchangethislater]

Could be an incoming Xindi threat

[@andypeiffer5]

I love these formats a lot

[@JumboFPS]

The fact that all of these ideas are irrelevant because of the weapons we already have is truly a chilling thought.

[@Member_zero]

Except for the asteroid thing. Some asteroids are really big. And would cause way more damage than any nuclear warhead. It could even render life on earth impossible. I think there is a value to this, and is the same value nuclear weapons have for most of "nuclear" countries. It is a weapon not designed to win a war - but a deterrence. "If you attack us, we will eliminate all life on earth. We might lose, but we are taking you with us." This is the basic gist of it. And why Iran, N. Korea, Russia etc. have nuclear weapons. In this sense weapons of mass destruction have worked to prevent a large scale war. And forced America and NATO countries to look the other way for any transgression made by these countries.

[@mobmob145]

Startalk Producers have no idea how much we love this format.

[@georgewagner-qz3mz]

This video was so helpful to me. I had been getting worked up over the perceived threat of space based weapons, but you showed me that it is not as scary as the headlines would have us believe. Thank you.

[@ycart_tech6726]

Depends who the paying customer is, I guess... if the US somehow decided to turn isolationist in the future, they could perceivably disband all Earth based forces and simply rely on a space based WMD system as well as the infrastructure to operate and maintain such system... any great power could rely on such a solution in a game of great powers... but then the smaller guy who might or might not be a state actor is left with the much cheaper and potentially equally as effective or more alternative of drone swarms... and the whole thing gets real... one would almost think that if only it weren't so damn fun it wouldn't be worth killing each other these days...

[@ismailnyeyusof3520]

@@ycart_tech6726 ⁠as Neil described it, any attempt to actually conduct war from space would be counterproductive.

[@middle-agedmacdonald2965]

Blowing up satellites, and inducing kessler syndrome makes perfect sense in the age of a.i. It basically would create an impenetrable moat technological wise. Look at from the US defense side of things. The Saudis are spending billions on a.i research, if they have a breakthrough, and create a genuine super intelligence, every satellite is now under their control, those who control the satellites have control over those who use the satellites. So in that kind of scenario, it might make a lot of sense for the US to BLOW space up. Yeah it sucks for the people in the future, but we're living now, and we have to react to threats as best we can.

[@pmkansara]

Thanks for clearing it up. This is one of the best and much needed explanation. And only Neil can explain it such a way that anybody can understand.

[@ishyaboy2k24]

Congrats on the more professional looking Star Talk

[@stephenbishop9179]

"It's like peeing in your own toilet!" Uhhh isn't that what you're supposed to do?

[@ycart_tech6726]

Social networking brownie points for peeing in other people's toilets

[@luisgodinez4635]

He meant bathtub 😅

[@tyrellchibvongodze3566]

Well, I expected peeing (as in spraying) all over your toilet as more appropriate!

[@R3dstoneT4co]

Doctor Tyson, you should turn "What's Up With That" into a channel series like cosmic queries

[@user-kx8wb5ps9q]

"I'm an astrophysics, so I get to say this." This version of startalk has captivated my ears for days. Very informative. Thank you and your producers.

[@BenjySparky]

Neil, you rock! Peace

[@_Kitetsu]

Thank you for your instruction/covering in this matter. Much love my brother.

[@aaronseet2738]

Finally somebody with knowledge explaining the (un) practicalities of space war.

[@GMesa93]

THIS is diamond! i was wishing you talk about that. LOVE IT ❤!!!!

[@SmellySumtom]

*Thanks Neil* I feel so much better now.

[@samandarsattorov5038]

When Neil degrasse explains something, it is impossible not to understand.... His is my favorite scientist.....

[@rich4444hrsm]

2:41 - the best point I've ever heard from Neil deGrasse Tyson. Very well put.

[@Nehmie]

Thank you for bringing enlightenment and awareness!

[@GetMeOuttaHereNow]

Can't wait to watch this and hear his thoughts.

[@simjobo]

Best explainer ever!

[@while-loop]

Props to the editor!! Great video to watch

[@peregrine116]

Keeping it real Tyson. Kudos!

[@jamesharrison7350]

This was a great video. A lot to get my head around.

[@ChristopherBriscoe]

This is your best format. Thanks for the important education you offer the world.

[@jean-sebastienrichard7564]

As always, excellent! Thank you for sharing valuable knowledge!

[@Immmpro]

Keep looking up ❤

[@russrobinson2979]

So good and informative. Really enjoyed this 😊

[@SheSweetLikSugarNSavage]

Rewatching a second time. Thank you for everything you do and did Neil. ❤ Did you ever dream you'd be where are now, educating the world for tomorrow. ❤

[@Dsbarrynl]

Wow, this just became my favorite KZbin channel ever.

[@hhollyd66]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@mauropavia64]

The genuine and sincere declaration about all people being in peace is appreciable, however geopolitical is much more complicated, countries are willing to fight in order to use the resources available to another country

[@artemyavorskyi5865]

Informative and easy to listen to. Thank you.

[@carolduvall111]

Thank you for speaking the truth for us all to know.😊❤

[@oskarkurgjarv5564]

I dig this format, please keep doing these

[@Wilfoe]

I recall hearing that there was an attempted agreement to prevent nukes from being researched on Earth after WWII, but it was never agreed upon because countries didn't know how they could make sure nobody was testing nukes underground at the time.

[@awadkhan6627]

Love it. Neil is my favorite bedtime story teller.

[@shawnanderson3062]

Neil the teacher at his very best! Take a hard subject, break it down to the basics. Everyone can understand this. Thanks and haveagood1 You've done Carl proud! 💜🥳😁

[@rumpires6485]

Best regards from Portugal. Love your brain.

[@tomaskoszeghy2447]

Very useful, well explained information. I have never thought of these basic questions. Good to know that basically we already have all the good stuff here on Earth, so there is no need for any other weaponry :) Thank you

[@sapelesteve]

Excellent & informative video Neil! I think that you should change your video endings with "Keep Looking Down"! 👍👍😂😂

[@roobscoob47]

NdGT~ I love this format! This was a great video... Let's have more of these!!!

[@BrunoSilva-oi6kp]

It's always a pleasure to see these wonderful talks.... and if the subject wasn't so serious, we could have a comedy

[@xHuskyGamesx]

Love your videos! Thank you for your dedication to the science community.

[@ChristopherBriscoe]

I’ve watch this twice. Remarkable. I still tell friends about your video with Dr. Dave about pool and the Coriolis Effect!

[@Istandby666]

In the 80's, when the U.S. shot it's own satellite down. They did that with a modified F-15 from Edwards Air Force Base. I was lucky to have been there that day to witness these things.

[@tedl7538]

Enlightening information, masterfully presented. Thanks Neil

[@LeekosLounge]

I NEEDED this thank you !

[@nightfury-oj9fo]

I would love to talk to this man❤

[@jameswaweru4063]

Me too

[@clintharris8818]

@@jameswaweru4063it wouldbbe awesome

[@DaysOfFunder]

Think you meant listen lol

[@VideoSage]

On the EMP front, I was under the impression that the magnetosphere did some funky things if a nuke was detonated in near earth orbit. Something along the lines of also effecting the mirrored position of the detonation.

[@ittybitty2112]

Never thought of it that way

[@Slimpawws]

Thank you for all your teachings, I miss the days I was in school, or could even afford school. You help me stay curious in my adult life.

[@stareupmusic5773]

thanks for the info

[@xpndblhero5170]

As someone who has lived through the Reagan Era and the Strategic Defense Initiative aka Project Star Wars, I'm not surprised by this..... 😂😂

[@Richard-db4rk]

Great quality video!

[@Interloper12]

If we are talking about fighting over things like orbits or Lagrange points instead of land, I would argue that it would be much, much easier to maintain peace in space due to how much more of it there is (at least in the short-term when supply is much higher than demand).

[@bentucker2301]

I'm sure humanity will find something to fight about even in the vastness of space

[@SA-zq7fz]

Where their is Religion . War will follow

[@user-sl2sb9kf6j]

Neil, you are a brilliant person of our time. Thank you.

[@petersage5157]

"Nuclear powered" could mean any of a number of different technologies. With satellites, it's most likely radioisotope thermoelectric generators like the ones that continue to power the Voyager crafts. To quote Ford Prefect, "mostly harmless."

[@emefcue]

Thank you for this neil

[@shakesrear7850]

Once again, thank you

[@JuanCarlosDaSilva]

Thank you very much!

[@Marshin209.]

I love this format

[@Ironman-harmonica]

NICE explanation

[@woufff_]

Great video, thanks Neil ❤

[@tysonbenally6154]

You inspire me. I love you.

[@michaelallen2358]

You Rock Man, thank you.

[@ceciliaflwrs]

❤thank you, Niel❤

[@wtpauley]

Facts! Love it.

[@philipberthiaume2314]

This is a very informative video and is important for this discussion. Russia is obviously upset about Starlink helping the Ukrainians and they are thinking about mass destruction of anything in orbit. It would even the playing field as far as they are concerned. No GPS, no space based internet, etc . Thanks for posting

[@konjel]

Accessory to War is a brilliant book!

[@jasonshallenberger9340]

Thank you.

[@scifi2science]

This is an excellent video

[@DawnLevendula]

I'll keep looking up. The sky is is most wonderful through tear stained eyes.

[@janicetribbiani7535]

“Tear-filled.”

[@AlexanderNicolasBurkard-cy1sh]

Mr. Neil Tyson, I was so much like your videos. Please answer my comment as it’s my dreams I was visiting yours and the New York City any anywhere in the world. I’d like your serve, and every thing about nuclear weapons it’s right thank you so much for information about all these. You are very great man and science and physicist man. Thank you so much, sir.

[@tommycollier9172]

Thanks Neil Always excellent

[@347PLOCASS]

Let's watch.

[@Shat_Tastic]

thks dude for all that u do :)

[@kirandeepchakraborty7921]

Thoughtful 🤔

[@skinny0ne]

thank you for intelligently explaining Space Force. it’s not politics. it’s the real world needs.

[@rogerdebougainville889]

Such a relief to not have Chuck Nice in this one. I want a NdGT channel that has no Chuck.

[@Gizzeit]

This comment's primary role is to promote this explainer in YT algorithms, because indeed it is helpful. Speaking of treaties - they don't seem to work while we still have countries that make any treaty not worth the paper spent, unfortunately.

[@sethsei8746]

i think the talk about nukes in space ins't really about strategy, because the general populace wouldn't know it's less effective than what we have already. i think all the buzz is because the idea of a nuke potentially being above you at any given time is terrifying compared to being in a silo or a submarine, those feel far away and secure compared to them seeming so close, plus the 'what if' of an orbiting nuke unintentionally falling back to earth.

[@StarLightPL]

"Children of a Dead Earth" is a great Newtonian physics based game which perfectly shows what Neil is talking about here. The need to align orbits, the maneuver budget etc.

[@-_Nuke_-]

100% agree with Niel here... Only thing that I would like to say, is that I would love him and Chuck to make an epissode about realistic space battles, space war ships and space fighters, but all in a way that they are realistic... I would love to see Niels take on that... If we had to like, attack eachother in space, and by space I really mean space - not just above Earth... Far away from Earth or any other planet... Empty space - how would we fight there? Do we even know? There are some games out there that try to simulate that - but they are all just games and they are not even close to being realistic. So Niel! What's your take on that! How would a army look if it had to fight in outer space, maybe between 2 galaxies or 2 stars...

[@s0matando]

Beautiful

[@RobertSaxy]

Ok so a star talk segment with Keenan Thomson titled “what’s up with that” (one of Keenan’s SNL reoccurring skits) needs to become a thing please

[@amethyst49ergurl]

Exactly my thoughts!!

[@wyattevan270]

Excellent video

[@boeingseven6939]

Thanks Neil! That was a great book by the way, read that back in 2019. I also thought the idea of a Space Force was somewhat dumb when it first hit the news (because I was already aware of the Air Force control), but yes it does make sense for it to have it's own branch just like how the Air Force got it's own branch stemming from the Army Air Corp. Thanks for the review!

[@jayscorpionjba]

Thank you Mr. Tyson for explaining why we shouldn't fear space weapons.

[@domdela5217]

I agree with whatever Neil says.

[@Ned_of_the_Hill]

Very nice explanation of the science! I think a big part of why the Outer Space Treaty bans weapons of mass destruction in space is precisely their impracticality. They would have been expensive and difficult to use, and therefore not desirable. They were thus an easy thing for nation-states to "give up" in the name of arms control.

[@peakingmantis5331]

Putting out heat as always

[@melvinreed3249]

Thank you Sir ☕

[@Reason..or..treason-vk6cz]

Enjoyable as always, I actually feel better about the space situation 😂

[@petepottieski6673]

Thank you Neil, settling the peoples minds through critical thinking.

[@wa1gon]

What you say about LEO satellites is true where their orbit is about 90 minutes would mean that their orbit footprint would only happen 2-5 times per day. The difference between a sat launched nuke and an ICBM is the boost phase and midcourse phase that the space-based nukes don't have. That means that a sat nuke could be on target in 1/4 of the time the ICBM. This would be great for a first-strike weapon because then you can choose the time. Reentry will be tricky, with a nuke initially traveling at close to 250+ mi per second it will take a lot of math to get it on target. StarTalk is a great show.

[@freeculture]

You don't even needs nukes, throw "something" that survives re-entry and its impact would cause tremendous damage. And the US designed a plan involving tungsten rods for this very purpose...