Space Powers: a multidimensional approach

Traditionally, any state able to physically reach and deploy assets in outer space is deemed to be a “space power”. Similarly, there is no doubt about the lead that the United States enjoys in this area as a major space power and that other actors including China and Russia are engaged in outer space at levels that other nations cannot compete with. How to compare space powers and how to enhance the space power status of any given nation vis-à-vis other nations remains a matter of debate for space practitioners and scholars alike. Building on the work done by Aliberti, Cappella and Hrozensky (2019), we propose a comprehensive framework to analyse and understand the status of multiple space powers based on two distinct dimensions: (1) capacity, or the degree of power distribution and (2) autonomy, or the level of stateness of such power. Our work fills both a theoretical and an empirical gap in our current understanding of this topic. Theoretically, our framework allows a deeper understanding of the mechanisms behind space power status. Empirically, this project presents a concrete measurement of the level of space engagement and activities of several countries, classifying them as (1) space powers, (2) spacefaring nations, (3) emerging space nations and (4) limited space actors. The innovative character and practical value of this paper is that it provides a comprehensive set of set of quantifiable criteria through which comparative assessments of countries’ involvement in space can be performed.