A universal revolution, one that is both unprecedented and oddly familiar, is quietly unfolding directly above our heads. Outer space: humanity’s final frontier paints a colourful mosaic of politics, revolutionaries, and war. With help from technological advancements, the discovery of rare metals, and accelerated attention from entrepreneurial billionaires, the world is entering a new era of space politics.
History saw human beings achieve remarkable feats on celestial ground during the Cold War. Fueled by global tensions, scientific revolutions, and nationalism, it was an extraordinary time. Today, we are witnesses to the beginning of a period marked by new boundaries, arenas, and breakthroughs. The bounds of the space race now extend beyond traditional leading powers like the U.S. or China. Within the last five years, this new era of astropolitics introduces India, Japan, and Africa as additional contenders in humanity’s drive to the stars. While we are merely in the early stages of the new space race, experts from various backgrounds have raised concerns pertaining to the exploitation and colonization that may emerge when power is held by greedy hands. By laying out the circumstances, new players, and potential risks of a 21st century space race, a vibrantly complex image of the human spirit emerges.
While the 20th century space race aimed to get humans up and out of Earth’s bounds with rapid technological progress, this race looks strikingly different today. Humanity, through numerous celestial achievements, has solidified its stake in space for the last couple of decades; no longer are we heading up and out, we are now effectively claiming territory. Tim Marshall’s novel, The Future of Geography: How Power and Politics in Space will Change our World, details how we got here, and where humanity is going. In recent years, rare metals have been discovered on the moon, private companies have lowered the costs of space travel, and nations have been quietly launching missiles and satellites in the test for new weapons. An article by Reuters concerning recent accelerated efforts in space notes how, “space is a business, and the moon’s south pole is a prize because of the water ice there that planners expect could support a future lunar colony, mining operations and eventual missions to Mars.” Recent breakthroughs in unsuspecting regions such as described are shifting the celestial landscape away from solely traditional dominance by Russia and the U.S., into new actors and capacities.
Leading the league are the ‘Big Three’: China, Russia, and the U.S. Yet, amidst the U.S. and Russia being the central rivals of the Cold War, China has significantly advanced its space program, closing the gap with American capabilities in orbit. In the Pentagon’s 2023 China Military Power Report, which details China’s recent spacial developments, several concerns have been raised by both U.S. and Russian officials. A primary concern is that China has closely linked its space program with its military, developing technologies designed for space warfare. Amidst China’s achievements, the U.S. possess a different kind of space-based advantage: “a civilian space agency that leads the world in science, manned flight and exploration.” The latest U.S. military budget emphasizes the importance of ‘resilience,’ reflecting its adaptability to sharpen themselves to compete against the growing power of China and Russia.
Trailing slightly behind, the Russian Space Agency Roscosmos had hoped to mark their return to the Moon this August, 50 years after their last lunar landing which yielded little success. Their ambitions were thwarted when they lost control of their Luna-25 lander leading it to crash in orbit. Notably, Roscosmos had been intent on beating a rival Indian spacecraft, Chandrayaan-3, to the moon’s south pole. Two weeks later, Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed, making them the first in history. Despite Luna-25’s failure, the head of Russia’s space agency declared, “a new race to exploit the Moon’s resources has begun,” amid rumours of a potential partnership with China’s space program. Richard de Grijs of The Conversation claims, “his statement sounds like it is less about the scientific exploration of the lunar surface, and more about geopolitical posturing.”
What does India’s extraordinary feat mean for the future of astropolitics? Analysts anticipate that India’s space sector will capitalize on its capacity for cost-competitive engineering to further its accomplishments. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) allocated a mere $74 million for Chandrayaan-3, significantly raising the stakes for competitors in the celestial realm. This achievement is not just a mark of national prestige; it lays the foundation for India to emerge as an international leader for the exploration of lunar ice. It cements India’s role in the new Space Race and establishes it as a hub for innovative technology.
The bounds of the space race do not stop there. In a recent article by SpaceNews, Georgetown University student Maia Moore highlights that African nations have the potential to emerge as, “leading competitors due to the continent’s rapidly expanding space industry, the amount of institutional knowledge already available, and its large youth population poised to become the next generation of space innovation.” Furthermore, Japan pledged $6.6 billion this year to bolster its national space industry. As Japan’s minister for space policy, Sanae Takaichi, emphasizes the urgency for these advancements, she notes the importance of keeping pace in an, “increasingly intense international competition.”
It would be remiss to ignore the vital role which entrepreneurs, particularly billionaire’s in the private sector, in accelerating space technology. While government funding remains the major monetary source for the ‘Big Three,’ investments from private enterprises primarily funded by Elon Musk’s Space X are swiftly growing. The recent strides of unsuspecting nations in the new space have challenged America’s lead, but the introduction of Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin and Elon Musk’s Space X offers America a strategic edge. This synergy of private and government efforts contrasts with the government-only approaches of other nations. Michael Peregrine notes in Forbes, “SpaceX, with its bold goal of making life interplanetary, is viewed as the “’dominant’ force in the manufacturing of rocket launching systems.”
The potential economic treasures promised by the moon mean that nations establishing a presence in space first will likely be the first to harness its resources. Ram Jakhu, a McGill University professor with extensive expertise in international space law, is wary of the risks that will inevitably unfold overtime. He warns, “economic exploitation is something which causes competition and eventually leads to conflict and then destruction.” Despite the shift to an extraterrestrial arena, he believes governments and private entities will behave similarly in space. While the 21st century space race pays familiar tribute to the Cold War era, space law experts suggest it may more closely mirror the ruthless economic colonization of Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Despite the competitive edge and potential economic gains, space exploration ignites the imagination of new generations of thinkers, engineers, and artists. Cooperation is key to the success of future generations, especially if we envision the stars as our next habitat. Our history highlights the benefits of cooperation exemplified by the ‘Handshake in Space’ between the Soviets and Americans which eased Cold War tensions. Current space technologies, especially in medicine and renewable energy, promise widespread benefits. The International Space Station stands as a testament to what global cooperation can achieve.
The 2020 Artemis Accords marks a crucial milestone for international collaboration which transcends traditional diplomatic agreements. These accords represent a shift towards a cooperative narrative in space exploration. Spearheaded by the U.S. State Department and NASA, the essence of the accords embody a commitment to partnership among 29 nations, fostering a united approach to space ventures.
Space Exploration: the greatest technological project of the 21st century, an emblem of global curiosity, or just another grand display of human exploitation and competition? Tracing its roots from the Cold War to present day, the heart of space exploration holds the power to unite the world, break intellectual limits, and transcend borders. As new players and ventures unfold, it is important that we prioritize the pursuit of cooperation over competition now. While the true nature of this new space race is yet to be fully unveiled, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that outer space remains a fair and equitable domain, not just for the next generation of explorers, but for all of humanity.
Edited by Maddy Chilsom
Megan Tan is in her third year at McGill University, currently pursuing a BA&Sc in Cognitive Science with a minor in Philosophy. As a Staff Writer at Catalyst Publications, Megan aims to bridge her background in Behavioural Science with International Development as her writing is mainly focused on the Health and Technological dimensions of global political issues. Having grown up in Singapore, Qatar, and Canada, Megan strives to use her diverse upbringing to offer a multifaceted lens through which she examines the interplay of technology, health, and cognitive science.