Dr Bleddyn E. Bowen, Lecturer in International Relations, Space Policy/Warfare Expert from University of Leicester gave a lecture titled “War in Space: Strategy, Spacepower, and Geopolitics. More Space for NATO and EU“ at the Institute for Foreign Affairs and Trade. The online event was held on October 15, 2020 (Thursday).
For a long time, space-related activities have not been limited to the activities of the great powers, the use of space is being democratised, the weight of economic actors is increasing, but states are still playing a key role in this area.
Smaller states, such as Finland or Ireland, are increasingly joining the use of space, utilization of space. The actuality of this process is given by technological development, reduction of relevant costs, etc.
In a useful analogy, Earth orbit, in terms of actual exploitation/application, is now such as coastal regions, the coastal sea, i.e. it is easily accessible and exploitable in the interests of the states. (“Space powers on Earth are like continental sea powers; operating in a cosmic coastal region” – Bleddyn E. Bowen.)
The concept of spacepower is similar to airpower and seapower. In addition to the classics of the theory of naval and air warfare, new theories of space warfare are lined up, and as maritime theories expand the question of maritime power, theories of outer space deal with the concept of related spacepower. According to Bleddyn E. Bowen, the concept of spacepower is a collection of space related technologies and activities; a concept defined by how any actor can use outer space;
and in the case of states, the main uses are related to military goals (national defense), development goals (economy), and prestige. The military use of space basically performs logistical and support functions, with emphasis on communication, command and control and intelligence. That is, using outer space, the force will be better able to perform all other military activities, increase its internal integrity, be able to perform more precise actions, and so on. Through space activity, we can influence land-based events more effectively.
Space warfare is the continuation of Terran politics by other means – states Bleddyn E. Bowen.
The European Union is increasing its spacepower through various dual-use programs such as GALILEO, COPERNICUS, GOVSATCOM, MUSIS, SST. At the same time NATO, which does not have its own space infrastructure, is increasingly coordinating the use of member countries’ national space infrastructures.
On the one hand, the spacepower is therefore predominantly infrastructural in nature and strongly connected to the terrestrial infrastructure system. On the other hand, spacepower is a tool of political power alongside other economic and military tools.
The presentation provides a framework for thinking that allows us to interpret the geopolitical and international relevance of outer space more precisely and realistically.
The slides of the lecture are available here!
For the full recording please click on the link below or visit our YouTube channel!
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