1. Rules of Engagement (ROE) for Military Space Operations
Guy Phillips, C.D.
B.A., LL.B., LL.M
Commander (Retired)
Adjunct & Sessional Assistant Professor
Royal Military College of Canada
Images (Lt to Rt):
U.S. Vought ASM-135 ASAT missile launch on Sep. 13, 1985, which destroyed P78-1. Paul E. Reynolds (USAF) - Originally downloaded from
RIM-161 Standard Missile 3 launched from USS Lake Erie, a US Navy Ticonderoga class cruiser, (U.S. Navy photo according to authoritative source below. -

2. Outline Intro to ROE Basic ROE Structure & Issues
Military Space Operations ROE
Conclusions
Image: Launch of the SM-3 missile from USS Erie used to destroy USA Unknown -

3. Intro to ROE ROEs are military “doctrinal” tool Purposes: Structure:
not legally required
may be legal orders or merely guidance
Purposes:
Political and military command and control
Ensure the rule of law
Prevent crisis escalation
Provide direction on threat & use of force
in self-defence or offence
Structure:
Prohibitions
Restrictions
Permissions

4. ROE Theory Four ROE factors: National political direction
International policy & diplomacy
Operational factors
(National) & International law

5. Roach Venn Diagram
Politics
Diplomacy
ROE
Operations
Law

6. Structure & Issues Jus ad bellum Jus in bello
UN Security Council Chapter VII Resolution
Self-defence under criminal or international law
General international law & lex specialis
Law of the Sea
Air & Space Law
Jus in bello
Hague Stream (means & methods)
Geneva Stream (humanitarian principles)

8. Jus ad bellum Issues Legal authority to use force UNSCR
Self-defence of
Individuals
Units
State (national)
Self-defence against:
Hostile act
Hostile intent
Capability
Intent
Image: July 9, 1962, at 09:00:09 Coordinated Universal Time (July 8, Honolulu time, at nine seconds after 11 p.m.), the Starfish Prime test was successfully detonated at an altitude of 400 kilometres (250 mi). The flash created by the explosion as seen through heavy cloud cover from Honolulu 1,445 km away. Public Domain. File:Starfish Prime aurora from Honolulu 1.jpg Uploaded: 6 August 2005

9. Jus in bello Issues Geographic & Proximity Means & methods Targeting
Military objectives
Dual-use
ID & targeting methodology
Neutrals
EF, Cyber & Other Weapons
Prohibited / Restricted
Effects
Non-destructive/interference
Destructive/neutralizing
Ruses/deception
LOAC/IHL for ground-based assets & effects

10. LOAC/IHL Principles Military necessity Distinction Humanity
Proportionality

12. Conclusions ROE crucial analytical tool amalgam of four ROE factors
helps define
threats & responses
issues
information required
approval authority levels
prevent hasty, ill-informed and incorrect decisions and reactions
Images (Lt to Rt): The armor-covered DS-P1-M (11F631/Tyulpan) spacecraft served as a target for the anti-satellite weapons. The spacecraft was designed to withstand as many as three consecutive hits by a "killer" spacecraft. Copyright © 2001 Anatoly Zak (
1986 illustration of the Soviet IS system attacking a target. Ronald C. Wittmann -