Geo-economics of space energy resources: A European perspective

Abstract

The paper analyses the European space policy towards space energy resources viewed from a geo-economics perspective. In a context where pessimistic forecasts regarding the existing Earth?s energy resources result in countries? shift towards outer space, the Moon, asteroids, and other celestial bodies having large and still insufficiently explored energy potential are becoming the subject of strategic interest for many actors. To address this issue, the author argues that the European space program is geo-economics in its basis. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to map the key geo-economic characteristics of European space policy on the example of space energy resources. In the analytical sense, the research subject is bounded by the concept of geo-economics and the key geo-economic instruments that countries dispose of in their search for space energy. In the methodological sense, the defined research goal was achieved by reviewing literature and official data and by content analysis of key European strategic documents in the field of space policy. The author concludes that the European space program regarding space energy is one of the best examples of the materialization of geo-economics in practice.