INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS IN OUTER SPACE: FROM THE COLD WAR ERA TO FEBRUARY 24, 2022

Abstract

The article reviews the changing landscape of international relations in the space sphere; examines the history of international cooperation in outer space: from the Cold War era to the beginning of Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine; examines key partnerships and initiatives, the advantages of such cooperation and challenges. The author proves that international relations in the field of space exploration and research are dual in nature. On the one hand, countries form international alliances to implement large-scale space projects, on the other hand, states strive to have independent access to space to ensure national security. The author's periodization of the development of international relations in the space sphere is given: 1) the first decade of space exploration – during this period, international cooperation in outer space was completely missing, but it was during these years that the foundations of the international legislative framework were laid; it is still in force today; 2) since the 70s of the twentieth century, the number of states that explore space has been growing and the first international space organization, the European Space Agency (ESA), is being formed; 3) after the end of the Cold War, US cooperation with the former Soviet republics intensified, which further led to US dependence on third countries in the space sphere; 4) in the early 2000s, the number of participants in space activities increased at the expense of private companies, which became possible due to a technological leap, in particular the miniaturization of space technology and the cheapening of electronics; 5) Russia's war against Ukraine has changed the international landscape of space activities, strengthened public-private partnerships and demonstrated the growing role of satellite technologies in national security issues.