The changing geopolitics of space activities

Peter, Nicolas

doi:10.1016/j.spacepol.2006.02.007

Cited by 41 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…It is true that the dual hegemony of the Cold War is terminated; however, new states have emerged and gained a prominent role in the international arena, designing a transition from a bipolar to a multipolar world. As Peter (2006) correctly highlights, the axes of bi lateral and multilateral cooperation are evolving, disappearing, and reconstituting. For example, new forms of bilateral cooperation have affected the relations between China and Argentina or Brazil (Peter, 2006).…”

Section: Relevant Geopolitical Theories Developed During the 21st Cenmentioning

confidence: 98%

International Geopolitics and Space Regulation

Nucera¹

2019

Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Planetary Science

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Outer space has always assumed a relevant geopolitical value due to strategic and economic reasons. Since the beginning of the so-called space age, national space policies have pursued both political and economic objectives, taking into account fundamental security and military considerations. After the Second World War, the international relations were based on the dichotomy between the United States and the Soviet Union. The foundation of activities in outer space finds its roots in the Cold War and reproduces the distinctive geopolitical dynamics of that historical moment. The diverging interests between the two states were reflected in the political tensions that characterized the competition to reach outer space. The classical geopolitics deals with how states should act in outer space to increase their influence in the international arena. According to the theories developed during the space race, whoever controls outer space controls the world. In this sense, security on Earth depends on the security in space, ensured by national control over the strategic assets. Space applications had indeed a central role in the context of deterrence. In addition, conducting activities in outer space represented an important tool of foreign policy and for the enhancement of international cooperation, mainly within the blocs. International geopolitical dynamics were reflected on space regulations developed during the Cold War era. The 1967 Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space (OST) is the main legal instrument, which codifies the general principles in international law of space activities. Over the past few decades, space activities have changed due to the growing participation of non-state actors to the so-called space economy. The end of the Cold War era produced a structural change of the international relations in the space sector. The traditional scheme of cooperation within the Western, or Eastern, bloc was overcome by a stronger multilateral cooperation, such in the case of the International Space Station. Furthermore, the end of the Cold War busted the regionalization of space cooperation. Furthermore, space activities are relevant for the well-being of humankind. Many services provided by public and private companies, such as satellite broadcasting, weather forecasts, or satellite navigation, have a strong socioeconomic impact. In addition, the protection of the environment in outer space has become a central theme in the international debate, with a focus on mitigation and removal of space debris. These issues are reflected in increasing legislation, adopted to regulate space activities on a national level. This evolution, along with technological changes, poses political challenges to the actors involved in the space arena and creates a competitive geopolitical situation in which states aim at protecting their national interests in outer space. In this context, the international space governance plays a fundamental role in bringing together national interests toward a collective interest in protecting and promoting space activities for the benefit of humankind and with due regard to the corresponding interests of all states.

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Section: Relevant Geopolitical Theories Developed During the 21st Cenmentioning

confidence: 98%

International Geopolitics and Space Regulation

Nucera¹

2019

Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Planetary Science

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“…Government funding for space programs have generally decreased, and the grants which traditionally bolstered space science research have declined [10], [11], and [12]. More recently, Jarritt et al [13] explain that scope for US commercial activity may have widened following the 2007 financial crisis and the subsequent search for more commercial partners.…”

Section: The New Space Economy and The Emergence Of Crowdfundingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fund Me to the Moon: Crowdfunding and the New Space Economy

2019

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The likes of Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos now occupy the headlines once dominated by Apollo and Soyuz. Described as New Space versus Old Space, debate surrounds the emerging commercial space industry and the role of nontraditional actors in the evolving contemporary space exploration environment. This article enters this debate by adopting a sociological approach to investigate the role of crowdfunding in financing space exploration today. We interview crowdfunded space project creators in disparate locations, from Moscow to Silicon Valley, who attracted capital ranging from $200 to over $1 million. We attempt to uncover their experiences using this distinctly social financing mechanism and find that although crowdfunding is unlikely to solve all of today's research funding conundrums, it does appear to increase access to space in unique ways. We argue, however, that the most interesting dynamic of this phenomenon is the way in which crowdfunding contributes to an increasingly democratic exploration environment and how this might impact space science research and the power structures of the space industry. This article concludes by considering possible implications of this trend and derives practical suggestions for both policymakers and individuals who may be considering the use of crowdfunding to finance space science research and exploration projects.

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“…181 From a bilateral perspective, several cooperation agreements cover the areas of space science, exploration, and, most recently, space applications. These agreements involved the main space agencies, i.e., NASA, ESA, JAXA, but also countries from emerging space markets in Africa, Latin America and Asia.…”

Section: Other National Space Policiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fundamentals of Space Law and Policy

Tronchetti

2013

SpringerBriefs in Space Development

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The changing geopolitics of space activities

Cited by 41 publications

References 2 publications

International Geopolitics and Space Regulation

International Geopolitics and Space Regulation

Fund Me to the Moon: Crowdfunding and the New Space Economy

Fundamentals of Space Law and Policy

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