Scramble for the Skies : The Great Power Competition to Control the Resources of Outer Space

With a focus on China, the United States, and India, this book examines the economic ambitions of the second space race. The authors argue that space ambitions are informed by a combination of factors, including available resources, capability, elite preferences, and talent pool. The authors demonstrate how these influences affect the development of national space programs as well as policy and law. Dedication 6 Contents 8 List of Tables and Figures 10 Abbreviations 12 Acknowledgments 18 1 Introducing the Concept of Great Power Competition for Space Resources 22 2 The Role of Myths, History, and Strategic Culture on Space-Based Resources 60 3 The Epistemic Community and the Foundations of Discourse in the United States 84 4 U.S. Strategy and Space Resource Ambitions 140 5 China’s Strategy and Space Resource Ambitions 208 6 India’s Strategy and Space Resource Ambitions 256 7 Middle Power Strategy and Ambitions for Space Resources: Luxembourg and the UAE 300 8 Are We Observing the Beginning of a Race or Scramble for Space Resources? Scenarios and Concluding Thoughts 320 Appendix A: Theorizing Space Resources within International Relations Concepts and Positioning of the Authors 342 Appendix B: The Expected Path and Timeline for Space Missions 370 Appendix C: Timeline of Important Space Development Dates 374 Bibliography 380 Index 450 About the Authors 464 With a focus on China, the United States, and India, Scramble for the Skies examines the ambitions of the second space race. Namrata Goswami and Peter A. Garretson explain how international competition, strategic culture, and elite preferences influence the development of national space programs, policy, and law. -- Back cover The Book Examines The Space Ambitions Of China, The United States, And India. It Analyzes How Unique Strategic Cultures Have Shaped Elite Discourse, Legal Policy, And Space Programs Within These States.