The Second Space Race

If space is endless, then so too are the opportunities for exploiting it. The military and commercial applications are simply too great to ignore. During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union understood as much, so they tried to best each other as much off the planet as on it. But other countries, not to mention private companies, have since entered the fray. As more players compete in the second space race, they will aggravate existing geopolitical tensions on Earth and, in some cases, create paths for cooperation.

SITUATION REPORTS0

See All Situation Reports

The nighttime lights of the United States are seen from space.

On Geopolitics Sep 20, 2018 | 08:45 GMTSep 20, 2018

Space: The Final Frontier for War?

The United States is debating the organizational future of the new Space Force, but the bigger question centers on the future of war beyond the planet's frontiers.

By Omar Lamrani

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk delivers a presentation while standing beside scale models of the rockets his company produces.

Assessments Feb 6, 2018 | 20:24 GMTFeb 6, 2018

Falcon Heavy Rocket Flies Like an Eagle

The powerful launch vehicle from private business SpaceX may help open doors to the moon, Mars and beyond.

Snapshots Oct 5, 2017 | 20:31 GMTOct 5, 2017

U.S.: Vice President Shoots for the Moon

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence released an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal focused on returning to the moon just before leading the first session of the National Space Council in over 20 years.

Snapshots Aug 30, 2017 | 23:08 GMTAug 30, 2017

China, Russia: Beijing and Moscow to Sign Joint Space Agreement

The deal's ambitions include lunar and deep space exploration, with a possible manned moon landing.

Snapshots Jul 27, 2017 | 20:14 GMTJul 27, 2017

Iran: Space Program Claims a Successful Launch Into Orbit

The two-stage space launch vehicle is designed to significantly advance Iran's satellite plans, but it also could advance the country's development of an ICBM.

Assessments Apr 7, 2017 | 09:00 GMTApr 7, 2017

French Guiana: Rockets and the Republic

Strikes and protests unfolding in France’s treasured, but distant territory, a key European launch hub that is pivotal to the French ability to project power both in the Western Hemisphere and in space, have renewed Paris' attention on its geostrategic value.

Snapshots Mar 31, 2017 | 15:59 GMTMar 31, 2017

U.S.: SpaceX Marks Milestone Toward Cheaper Space Travel

SpaceX was founded nearly 15 years ago with the goal of revolutionizing space flight by lowering costs through the creation of reusable launch vehicles. On March 30, it finally proved that such a feat is possible.

A picture from 1971 shows a nuclear explosion in Mururoa atoll.

On Geopolitics Mar 28, 2017 | 08:00 GMTMar 28, 2017

A Changing Rulebook to Tame the New Global Arms Race

In a progressively multilateral world, the growing threat of weapons proliferation is a constant specter. Given the rapidly shifting landscape, the focus of arms control efforts will increasingly turn toward efforts at containing the spread of technology and weapons rather than the more difficult task of negotiating great-power deployment and use.

By Omar Lamrani