and docking techniques are at once ancestors and offsPring of antisatellite weapons being aleveloped and tested. But' in the Public mind' the civilian space exploits in fields such as comnunication, fiEteorology, cartography and navigation are being overshadowed by the substantiat superiority conferred on the major military powers through the decisive inpact of satellite technology in at least three fields! targei identification, -navigation and damage assessment in connexion with counterforce strategres in nuclear narfarei surveill'ance' target identification and navigation in 'conventional warfare"; and world-wide intelligence and surveillance of the mil-ieary Progranrnes of other countries and of wars in which the major Pof,ers are not directly i nvolved. 36. Potentially, the consequences of this latter capability could be both Positive and negative: velificabion of agreenents on arns linitations or disengagement' on the one hand, and area policing ind assistance in aggression, on the other' As suggested by the uniteal Nations study on the possibility of selting uP an International Satellite l,bnltoring Agency (rsMA), space technology can be effectivelyusedforverifyingconpliancewithinternationalagreementsonarnsIinitation as well as tor ironitoring crlsis areas at an annual cost of rnuch less A/37/386 Engl ish Annex Page 20 Iauncbers of I CtsMs Fixed launchers of IGMS I€unchers of I CtsIils equitrped with MIRVS Iaunchers of SLEMS Iaunchers of SI,BMS equilped with MIRVS Heavy borbers Heaqy bornbers equipped for cruise mlsslles capable of range in excess of GoO km ASBIi|B (ai r-to-surface ball istic rnisslles)than one per cent of the current annual expenditure on the worrd-wide arrns racelsee A/Ac.206/Lar. But, in a situation of nutual reservations characterizing theperiods of exacerbated internationar tensions, potentiarly beneficial aspects ofspace technology remain unexplored, particularly in the field of independentrnonltoring and surveillance systems.
**Analysis**
The text discusses the impact of satellite technology on international relations, military powers, and global security, highlighting its potential benefits and risks. It also touches on the possibility of using space technology for verifying compliance with international agreements and monitoring crisis areas. These themes suggest that the text is more concerned with the strategic and diplomatic aspects of space technology rather than its economic or environmental implications.

**Category**
Transport and communication, Science and technology