"Space traffic management" for the prevention of weaponization of outer space

Since the setting-up of the CD, no proposals have been endorsed for the further discussions to adopt a treaty on the prevention of weaponization in outer space, and today, it seems difficult to even re-establish the ad hoc Committee on Prevention of Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS), In contrast, entering into the 21st century, the notion of "space traffic management" (STM) has become prevalent in securing safety use of outer space. STM has been introduced as a broad concept including the space debris mitigation measures, frequencies and slot management, the pre-launch notification systems and concrete space traffic rules. Can the pursuit of the STM (space safety) be a proxy to the arms control measures (space security)? The conclusion would be positive if the following conditions are satisfied: (1) As a goal, emphasis is to be place upon the safety itself, not security; (2) definition of space weapons, weaponization, or ASAT would be carefully avoided; (3)soft law frameworks would be selected; and (4) such soft law frameworks are adopted and carried out by the like-minded states outside the CD as a first step.