Co-Opetition: The Emerging Trend In Global Space Exploration Strategy

Abstract

The renewed interest in deep space exploration, led by the US Space Vision for Space Exploration that calls for sustainable robotic and manned missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond together with the European Aurora program, revival of the Russian space program, Japanese robotic exploration missions to the Asteroids and Moon, the first robotic orbiter missions by China and India herald the beginning of comprehensive post Cold War era exploitation of deep space as a means of demonstrating the scientific, industrial, technological capabilities and political ambitions of the established and emerging space powers. On May 31, 2007, fourteen national space agencies issued a document entitled, The Global Space Exploration strategy: the framework for coordination. The document envisions a new era of space exploration through strengthened international partnerships for sharing the challenges in achieving peaceful goals. But, space exploration represents cutting edge technical and dual-use capabilities thus involves inherent industrial competition among nations and also subject to political directions of national governments and international treaties.