Asia's Space Race: Regional Rivalry and International Risks

James Clay Moltz
Naval Postgraduate School

Abstract

The past decade has seen an acceleration of space competition in Asia, with both civil and military dimensions. Unlike the two Cold War superpowers, who met in a variety of bilateral forums to "manage" their space relations, Asia's new space powers lack mechanisms for space cooperation, arms control, and crisis management. This emerging Asian space race could develop into a possible arms race, unless the parties involved develop new means of improving regional space security. This paper surveys existing trends among the major space players in Asia and considers possible options for averting future conflicts.

Presented at ISDC 2011 - Huntsville. Paper and presentation charts are not available.