would considerably facilitate the achievement of an agreement on the prohibition of anti-satellite systems. our delegation regards the recent United States test of an anti-satellite system (ASAT) against an actual object in outer space used as a target, as a dangerous step which will trigger off the development of a new type of expensive space weapon to carry out its strategic defence initiative. Thus it strikes a blow at all international efforts to prevent a~ arms race in outer space. The further elaboration and development of anti-satellite weapons would lead to a sharp destabilization of the situation and would undermine the efforts being made to achieve trust between nuclear States. For that reason, anti-satellite weapons should be prohibited. International efforts to prevent the militarization of outer space need to be firmly supported. As you know, in recent years the soviet Union has in this connection put forward a number of constructive initiatives. The most recent of these was the concept of "star peace" which was embodied in the proposals made by the soviet union on the basic tenets and principles of international co-operation in the MLG/emv A/C.l/40/PV.9 72 (Mr. Bayart, Mongolia) peaceful exploration of outer space, provided that it remain unmilitarized, proposals which were put forward for consideration at the present session of the General Assembly. The substance of those proposals is that all States should concert their efforts in the peaceful exploration of outer space to further scientific and technological progress in that area for constructive, rather than destructive, purposes. Naturally, such co-operation can only be properly guaranteed provided that outer space is excluded from the arms race and that this become a mandatory norm of states' policies and a generally acknowledged international obligation. The militarization of, and peaceful co-operation in, outer space are 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the development and use of anti-satellite weapons, which is a scientific and technological issue, and its impact on international efforts to prevent an arms race in outer space. It also touches on the concept of "star peace" and the peaceful exploration of outer space, which are related to scientific cooperation and international relations.

**Category**
Science and technology, International relations