Power, State and Space: Conceptualizing, Measuring and Comparing Space Actors

This book provides a comprehensive framework for understanding space power and differentiating between space powers and "lesser" space actors. It conceptualizes spacepower as a form of state power based on capacity and autonomy and demonstrates that only actors possessing high levels of both qualify as space powers. An in-depth comparative assessment is provided with a compound index of space power visualized in a matrix.

Format: Hardback
Length: 225 pages
Publication date: 20 July 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate criteria that determine a nation's eligibility for the esteemed status of space power. It explores the distinguishing factors that set apart space powers from "lesser" space actors and provides a robust framework for empirically measuring and evaluating their spacepower. By conducting a critical review of the existing literature, the book conceptualizes spacepower as a distinct form of state power, rooted in the complex interplay between two fundamental dimensions of stateness: capacity and autonomy.

The book highlights that only actors who possess exceptional levels of both autonomy and capacity can truly be classified as space powers. It categorizes different types of space actors based on their varying combinations of these two dimensions, including skilled spacefarers, self-reliant spacefarers, primed spacefarers, and emerging space actors. This innovative conceptual framework is further enriched by an in-depth comparative assessment that gathers and analyzes extensive data on the most active global space actors. This data is aggregated into a comprehensive index of space power, presented in the form of a matrix, offering a visual representation of the relative strength and capabilities of different space powers.

Through its comprehensive analysis and innovative framework, this book provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of space power and its role in shaping the global geopolitical landscape. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, policymakers, and enthusiasts alike, offering a deeper understanding of the factors that contribute to a nation's spacepower and the strategies employed by space actors to enhance their capabilities and influence.

Weight: 514g
Dimension: 242 x 164 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031328701
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023