Understanding our changing relationship with space: An international political economy reading of space popularisation

Abstract

For decades, space activities were the exclusive domain of government agencies and big contractors, delivered indirect benefits such as international prestige and became a genuine expression of political influence and military advantage. Today, we are witnessing a shift of approach as new technologies, industry-driven applications, mission concepts, and business models implemented by private companies are permeating the sector, and a key payoff comes from the exploitation of commercial opportunities. This article analyses to what extent the indirect, structural type of space power that has been exerted historically by a small number of actors may be affected by the irruption of the New Space movement and its alleged democratisation of space access and use. The commercialisation of outer space may impact power structures in a way that benefits some stakeholders more than others, but it is unlikely that the established space power hierarchies are severely affected in the short-to-medium term. Despite the increased number of players involved in low-orbit applications and associated new services, there are reasons to believe that the power of a few space-faring states will endure.