
The Geopolitics of Space Colonization
Future Power Relations in the Inner Solar System
Bohumil Dobos(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 21. September 2023
Book
Hardback
158 pages
978-1-032-45480-1 (ISBN)
Description
This book presents a geopolitical analysis of the upcoming human exploration of celestial bodies in the inner solar system by the major space powers.
It utilizes a systemic approach to the analysis of political events in space to develop a comprehensive overview of the factors influencing planned or proposed missions to the selected objects - the Moon, Mars, and asteroids. As a result of this analysis, the book establishes forward-looking scenarios of possible developments to highlight the main fault lines of the upcoming operations beyond the currently most heavily utilized terrestrial orbits. This framework is rooted in a holistic overview of factors relevant to the mid-term settlement and mining efforts and allows us to highlight the main focal points that will determine the future power distribution inside the inner solar system. The methodology is based on the analysis of an interplay of numerous factors deemed crucial for the decision-making of the major space powers and their capacities to promote their interests in a given region. Major space powers are, for the purpose of this book, understood as those actors with a realistic ability to participate in or lead the inner solar system colonization and mining missions in the mid-term future for which scenario-making is the most suitable. Given the realities of space travel, however, smaller actors are also taken into consideration as a part of cooperative efforts which are, nonetheless, dominated by the major players or, alternatively, as possible spoilers of the efforts in several regional settings. The book thus provides an in-depth analysis of the possible futures regarding the nearing competition over the celestial bodies
This book will be of much interest to students of space power and policy, geopolitics, airpower, and International Relations.
It utilizes a systemic approach to the analysis of political events in space to develop a comprehensive overview of the factors influencing planned or proposed missions to the selected objects - the Moon, Mars, and asteroids. As a result of this analysis, the book establishes forward-looking scenarios of possible developments to highlight the main fault lines of the upcoming operations beyond the currently most heavily utilized terrestrial orbits. This framework is rooted in a holistic overview of factors relevant to the mid-term settlement and mining efforts and allows us to highlight the main focal points that will determine the future power distribution inside the inner solar system. The methodology is based on the analysis of an interplay of numerous factors deemed crucial for the decision-making of the major space powers and their capacities to promote their interests in a given region. Major space powers are, for the purpose of this book, understood as those actors with a realistic ability to participate in or lead the inner solar system colonization and mining missions in the mid-term future for which scenario-making is the most suitable. Given the realities of space travel, however, smaller actors are also taken into consideration as a part of cooperative efforts which are, nonetheless, dominated by the major players or, alternatively, as possible spoilers of the efforts in several regional settings. The book thus provides an in-depth analysis of the possible futures regarding the nearing competition over the celestial bodies
This book will be of much interest to students of space power and policy, geopolitics, airpower, and International Relations.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Postgraduate, Professional Reference, and Undergraduate Advanced
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
420 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-032-45480-1 (9781032454801)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
01/2025
1st Edition
Routledge
€62.50
Shipment within 10-20 days

E-Book
09/2023
1st Edition
Routledge
€55.49
Available for download

E-Book
09/2023
1st Edition
Routledge
€55.49
Available for download
Person
Bohumil Dobos is an assistant professor at the Institute of Political Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University. He has authored among others, the book The Geopolitics of Outer Space: A European Perspective (2018).
Content
1. Introduction 2. Astropolitics 3. Actors 4. Environmental Factors 5. Normative Considerations 6. Politics and Infrastructure of Settlements 7. Geopolitics of Celestial Bodies 8. Conclusion