Handbook

The exploration and use of the space domain was born out of great power competition and under the spectre of conflict between the USSR and the US. Yet, over the early decades after the dawn of the space age, exploration of outer space was often characterised by cooperation. In the last decade, an increasing number of States, non-State and commercial actors have sought to exploit the commercial, strategic and scientific opportunities of this domain. Sometimes they cooperate, often they compete, and the spectre of conflict in space itself looms larger than it ever has. Under-regulated conflict and competition risks making Earth orbits and beyond unusable in the near future and for generations to come, with potentially devastating consequences on Earth. This course aims to introduce students to these challenges and to the physical, historical, commercial, strategic, political, legal and ethical contexts in which these challenges must be managed. It seeks to enable students to navigate, and help others to navigate, those contexts to achieve their objectives (and those of their organisations) and be valuable participants in the sustainable use and exploration of outer space.