Protecting Essential Civilian Infrastructure in Space Analysing State Practice in Light of 2023 ICRC Preliminary Recommendations

Abstract

This article analyses the alignment between the International Committee of the Red Cross’s (ICRC) 2023 recommendations on military space operations and current State positions. The research focuses on the application of international humanitarian law (IHL) in space, particularly the principles of distinction, proportionality, precaution, and the choice of means of warfare. The research shows that while there is broad theoretical support for protecting essential civilian infrastructure in space, a crisis of framing and competing national interests hinders the transition from shared concerns to concrete, verifiable norms.