Handbook

More satellites have been launched in the last 15 years, than in the preceding 50, starting from the launch of Sputnik I in 1957. If the plans of just 10% of satellite operators proposing new satellites and constellations of satellites were to be realised, as many as 100,000 satellites will be launched in the next 10 years. What accounts for this exponential growth? Can and should it be sustained?

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, there is always competition, and the spectre of conflict in space itself looms larger than it ever has. Under-regulated conflict and competition could make Earth orbits and beyond unusable in the near future and for generations to come, with potentially devastating consequences.

The course invites you to undertake a learning journey in astropolitics and to set your own personal learning goals. As a core course in the Master of Space Operations program it gives students a detailed understanding of the economic, strategic and political drivers of space activities. It facilitates the intersection of multiple disciplines – particularly in the humanities (history, public policy, economics, commerce, strategy, law, ethics and politics) – with the technical foundations of space operations. Students will gain insights into how these drivers influence planning, policies, acquisitions and operations in respect to space activities. As an elective in other Master programs, the course provides advanced knowledge of the factors shaping the strategic and security environment and policy challenges in the space domain. Students will gain insights into the emerging potential for conflict and about the impact of disruptive space technologies in both the space and terrestrial domains. Students will also gain an appreciation of how the space domain may support conventional and special operations and may be an arena for irregular warfare involving  non-state actors, especially commercial entities supporting military activities.