Space. Head of UK’s Space Directorate warns of space terrorism (Nathan Strout, Defense News)

The decreasing cost of getting payloads on orbit means more people have access to space than ever before. (DKosig/Getty Images)

 The head of the United Kingdom’s new Space Directorate warned that increased access to space increases the possibility of “space terrorism,” drawing parallels to the way terrorists were able to use commercial aircraft during the 9/11 attacks.

“We all have witnessed what happens, and what particularly happens when the air domain became accessible to all — terrorists turned airliners into weapons. If such a trend holds true for space, when will we have to deal with our first example of space terrorism? And are we prepared for such a dramatic strategic shock?” said Air Vice Marshal Harvey Smyth at the DSEI 2021 conference in London Sept. 14, just days after the 20th anniversary of 9/11.

Head of UK’s Space Directorate warns of space terrorism (defensenews.com)