Open to Interpretation
hen asked if recent changes in the military's space program moved the United States closer to putting weapons in space, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said the changes "have nothing to do with that."
He reiterated the National Space Policy, released by the White House in September 1996: "DoD shall maintain the capability to execute the mission areas of space support, force enhancement, space control and force application. Consistent with treaty obligations, the United States will develop, operate and maintain space control capabilities to ensure freedom of action in space, and if directed, deny such freedom of action to adversaries.
These capabilities may also be enhanced by diplomatic, legal and military measures to preclude an adversary's hostile use of space systems and services. . . . "The United States is committed to the exploration and use of outer space by all nations for peaceful purposes for the benefit of all humanity. Peaceful purposes allow defense and intelligence-related activities in pursuit of national security and other goals. The United States rejects any claims to sovereignty by any nation over outer space."
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