This chapter presents a historical overview of international cooperation in space during the period of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and to the present days of the Russian Federation. The post-Soviet era and current international cooperation in space are described through interviews with people who were or still are involved in the joint [...]
The formation of the Space Data Association (SDA) represents an interesting model for international cooperation in space activities. The SDA is a not for profit organization incorporated in the Isle of Man, part of the British Isles, and was formed by the world’s three largest satellite operators, SES, Intelsat, and Inmarsat. What makes the SDA [...]
Cyberspace, the electronic environment that consists of myriad connections between people and information, is also the transition space to outer space, the place where we may learn to productively to live, to work, and to cooperate in preparation for our actual journeys off the Earth. While future space flight missions that go beyond today’s International [...]
For much of the lay public, and perhaps even for many in the legal profession, when the question of “space law” arises, thoughts turn to “special treaties” and “international conventions,” and to noble acts of diplomacy involving concepts like “adventurous and peaceful” activities in space, magnanimously conducted for the “benefit of all mankind.” The documents [...]
There is a powerful case to be made for the United States to conduct international space cooperation activities. In this chapter, we will discuss how cooperation allows a nation to leverage resources and reduce risk; improve efficiency; expand international engagement; and enhance diplomatic prestige of engaged states, political sustainability and workforce stability. Unfortunately, although the [...]
In this paper we will examine issues, challenges, technologies and other factors that feed the quest for the international cooperation required to initiate and sustain viable Earth-to-space and space-to-Earth commerce. The approach taken here is based on the proposition that the commercialization of space will follow the same path as terrestrial history, but with greater distance, [...]
Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin's flight into space in April 1961 turned a hitherto unknown Soviet Air Force officer into a hero around the world. Upon his death in March 1968 he became an icon, his image forever frozen. Since then, the date of his flight has been celebrated in the Soviet Union and its successors as [...]
The purpose of this chapter is to explore how European Satellite Communications (SatCom) policy can accelerate African development. One of the current European policy priorities is the Digital Agenda, with the ambition to bring broadband to every European citizen by 2013. This policy initiative promotes European growth as smart, sustainable and inclusive. The targets of [...]
There is no doubt that China has become a major space power, with its launch technologies, many satellites in orbit, manned space flight program, and its lunar exploration program. China considers the aerospace industry as “a significant symbol of the nation's strength,” as remarked by President HU Jintao on the 50th Anniversary of Aerospace Industry [...]
The choices between international cooperation and competition, and finding the right balance between the two, has been a major concern of space diplomats and leaders in Asia, Europe, and North America for much of the last few decades. Debate in policy circles has revolved around questions of cooperation, and whether collective assurance or independence is [...]