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Bush signs tough new space policy US adopts tough new space policy
(about 1 hour later)
US President George W Bush has signed an order which asserts the US right to block access to space to any country or group deemed hostile to its interests. The US has adopted a tough new policy aimed at protecting its interests in space and deny "adversaries" access there for hostile purposes.
The document says the US is determined to protect its interests in outer space and will defeat any adversary who threatens them. The document - signed by President Bush - also says "freedom of action in space is as important to the United States as air power and sea power".
The order rejects any proposals to ban space weapons. The document rejects any proposals to ban space weapons.
But the White House said the policy document was not a prelude to putting weapons in orbit. But the White House has said the policy does not call for the development or deployment of weapons in space.
Freedom of action However, some military experts warn that by refusing to enter into negotiations on space weaponry, the US is likely to fuel international suspicions that it will develop such weapons.
However, military experts warn that by refusing to enter into negotiations on space weaponry, the US is likely to fuel international suspicions that it will develop such weapons. Satellite fears
The document was the first revision in US space policy for 10 years. The 10-page strategic document states that the US national security "is critically dependent upon space capabilities, and this dependence will grow".
President Bush authorised the policy in August but it was not released until October. Declassified elements of the document have been posted on the US government's science and technology website. The notion that you would do defence from space is different from that of weaponisation of space Tony SnowWhite House spokesman
The policy states the importance of space militarily to the US. "The United States will preserve its rights, capabilities, and freedom of action in space... and deny, if necessary, adversaries the use of space capabilities hostile to US national interests," it says.
"Freedom of action in space is as important to the United States as air power and sea power," it says. The document also sets out US commercial ambitions, saying it is committed to encouraging and facilitating a growing entrepreneurial space sector.
The document also sets out US commercial ambitions in space, saying it is committed to encouraging and facilitating a growing entrepreneurial space sector. It is the first revision in US space policy for 10 years, and it is a forthright one, the BBC's Nick Miles in Washington says.
It addresses concerns voiced in a 2001 Pentagon report that said technological advances would enable potential enemies to disrupt orbiting US satellites, our correspondent says.
Unclassified details of the policy published on the internet say space capabilities, including spy and other communication satellites, are essential for national security.
The Bush administration says there is no shift in its policy
But the White House said the policy was not a prelude to putting weapons in orbit and that there was no shift in US policy.
"The notion that you would do defence from space is different from that of weaponisation of space. We're comfortable with the policy", White House spokesman Tony Snow said.
President Bush authorised the policy in August but it was not released until October.
During the Cold War, President Ronald Reagan proposed a defence shield using laser or particle beam technology to "intercept and destroy" incoming nuclear missiles.During the Cold War, President Ronald Reagan proposed a defence shield using laser or particle beam technology to "intercept and destroy" incoming nuclear missiles.
The Strategic Defence Initiative, or "Star Wars" programme as it came to be known, was abandoned in 1993.The Strategic Defence Initiative, or "Star Wars" programme as it came to be known, was abandoned in 1993.