Beyond the Final Frontier: Emerging Powers and Private Influence in Outer Space

The spatial domain has experienced significant transformations over time, both politically and economically. In parallel to terrestrial globalization, the advent of space programs in emerging nations implies a departure from global powers' traditional complete dominance. This shift is not only limited to state endeavors but also includes a rising number of private entities, which are particularly present in Western countries. This evolution raises several pertinent questions: Who exactly were the key players in the first new era of space exploration? To what extent do ‘the rise of the rest’ and the involvement of private enterprises represent a pivotal shift in the dynamics of Outer Space?

China's Ascent in the New Space Era: Geopolitics, Technology, and the Quest for Outer Space Supremacy

Ever since humankind succeeded in launching its first satellite into orbit, space has been considered the last frontier. The ideological rivalries of the Cold War led to the birth of the space age, which was aggravated by the clash between the US and the USSR. Today, the rapid economic development of emerging powers such as China, the gradual reduction in the cost of rocket launches, technological sophistication, and public-private collaboration and entrepreneurship are just some of the elements that make the commercialization and exploration of Outer Space one of the most vibrant fields of international activity in the present and future. Although this discipline is vast, this article will be an introduction to the People's Republic of China's activities in Outer Space, encompassing both civilian and military aspects (which are closely related). These aspects, and the activities of the US, Russia, or India, may be touched on in future publications.