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Space Security and the Transatlantic Relationship
[journal article]
Abstract Since the end of World War II, outer space has been an arena in which both high and low politics have played out, and both the US and Europe have been heavily invested. This article examines the case study of space exploration as a window into the evolving nature of the transatlantic relationship. W... view more
Since the end of World War II, outer space has been an arena in which both high and low politics have played out, and both the US and Europe have been heavily invested. This article examines the case study of space exploration as a window into the evolving nature of the transatlantic relationship. With the US government regularly deprioritizing Europe in its foreign policy and at times taking the transatlantic relationship for granted, the author argues that transnational and non-state actors have played an important role in maintaining the stability of the alliance. In terms of space, this means that the space community - space agencies, private actors, space enthusiasts, engineers, and scientists, among others - often enable transatlantic cooperation despite initial conflictual rhetoric stemming from political leaders. Importantly, while these transnational or non-state actors tend to view space as a peaceful domain for all of humankind, governments and militaries often treat space as the next battlefield. To support this argument, the article considers two major transatlantic space developments: the US's Space Force, which reflects a US desire to be dominant in space, and Europe's Galileo satellite system, which reflects a European goal to have strategic autonomy from the US. The author argues that the idea that space should be a peaceful domain for all of humankind is more strongly reflected in outcomes, despite the presence of conflictual, militaristic rhetoric.... view less
Keywords
Europe; United States of America; outer space; transatlantic relations; international cooperation
Classification
International Relations, International Politics, Foreign Affairs, Development Policy
Free Keywords
Galileo; Space Force; constructivism; non-state actors; space; transatlantic relationship
Document language
English
Publication Year
2022
Page/Pages
p. 134-143
Journal
Politics and Governance, 10 (2022) 2
Issue topic
Out With the Old, In With the New? Explaining Changing EU–US Relations
ISSN
2183-2463
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed