The Politics of Space Security
Strategic Restraint and the Pursuit of National Interests, Fourth Edition
4th Edition
Will be published approx. on 30. June 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
440 pages
978-1-5036-4544-8 (ISBN)
Description
As space becomes more crowded with over 12,000 active satellites operated by over sixty countries and hundreds of private companies, preventing conflict in this strategic environment has become increasingly important. The Politics of Space Security examines the history of the space age from its origins in national rocket programs of the 1920s and 1930s to the present day, focusing in particular on the political, military, and diplomatic challenges affecting space security. James Clay Moltz analyzes the competing demands of national interests in space against the shared interests of all spacefarers in preserving the safe use of space in the face of emerging threats, such as man-made orbital debris.
Since the publication of the first edition in 2008, this book has become recognized as a key source on the political history of the space age. The fourth edition updates the book's coverage to include the period from 2019 to 2025. Major commercial developments in these years are examined-such as the orbiting of SpaceX's Starlink mega-constellation-as well as initiatives in space diplomacy and threats posed by growing military counterspace programs. Additionally, Moltz updates the academic literature to include significant works on space security published since the first edition.
Since the publication of the first edition in 2008, this book has become recognized as a key source on the political history of the space age. The fourth edition updates the book's coverage to include the period from 2019 to 2025. Major commercial developments in these years are examined-such as the orbiting of SpaceX's Starlink mega-constellation-as well as initiatives in space diplomacy and threats posed by growing military counterspace programs. Additionally, Moltz updates the academic literature to include significant works on space security published since the first edition.
Reviews / Votes
"Making effective use of the secondary literature, supplemented by insights drawn from interviews with a wide range of officials and access to the relevant archives in the USA and Russia, The Politics of Space Security: Strategic Restraint and the Pursuit of National Interests confirms Moltz's command of his field of study... James Moltz's book serves as a superb primer for understanding the complex and interrelated issues within the fields of space policy and security studies." -John Berryman, University of London, Space Policy"James Clay Moltz makes an impressive and timely contribution to security studies and ongoing policy discussions with The Politics of Space Security... Given the complexity of the subject matter and the importance of the dual forces of technology and politics, it is difficult to find fault with this thoughtful and comprehensive volume." -David W. Kearn Jr., St. John's University, Review of Policy Research
"The intellectual scope and historical detail of Clay Moltz's study are truly impressive. He has brought to bear on a pressing issue in international security both high quality scholarship and pragmatic policy prescriptions. Professor Moltz's book is a 'must read' for anyone concerned about the future sustainability of U.S. and global space activities." -Dr. John M. Logsdon, Director, Space Policy Institute, The George Washington University
"Clay Moltz reassesses the importance of the superpowers' growing knowledge about harmful effects in the space environment especially space radiation and debris and explains how this environmental learning fundamentally shaped space security interactions during the Cold War. A truly seminal book that not only illuminates an underappreciated factor in past space security decision-making but also sheds light on how environmental learning may play a key role in overcoming challenges and improving future space security." -Dr. Peter Hays, Associate Director, Eisenhower Center for Space and Defense Studies, U.S. Air Force Academy
"Rarely does a book add to the literature of multiple fields as well as The Politics of Space Security. A 'must read' for both political scientists and policy practitioners, as one of the few books to examine an increasingly critical space security issues through the lens of traditional political science concepts and theory." -Dr. Joan Johnson-Freese, Chair, National Security Decision-Making Department, Naval War College
"The Politics of Space Security is actually two books in one. The first and last sections of the book contain a thoughtful analysis of various perspectives for understanding the concept of space security and their application to understanding the current situation and future prospects This historical account is worthwhile on its own terms, because there has been nothing comparable in the past 20-plus years, since Paul Stares' 1987 study Space and National Security." -Issues in Science and Technology
"[The Politics of Space Security] is an especially valuable contribution, making the work more than a history." -Roger D. Launius, Quest
"The intellectual scope and historical detail of Clay Moltz's study are truly impressive. He has brought to bear on a pressing issue in international security both high quality scholarship and pragmatic policy prescriptions. Professor Moltz's book is a 'must read' for anyone concerned about the future sustainability of U.S. and global space activities." -John M. Logsdon, Founding Director, Space Policy Institute, The George Washington University
"With the rise of many other powers into the stars, and the Obama administration's stance on space exploration, The Politics of Space Security provides serious concern for America's future in science and the world as a whole." -Midwest Book Review
"In The Politics of Space Security, James Clay Moltz presents a concise yet brilliant analysis of the history of space security through the lens of the political environment that shaped it. Moltz's book does a fantastic job of giving just enough detail to strengthen his arguments while still keeping the text flowing." -Brian Weeden, author of Arms Control Today
More details
Edition
Fourth Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Palo Alto
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Edition type
New edition
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-5036-4544-8 (9781503645448)
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
Person
James Clay Moltz is the author of Crowded Orbits and Asia's Space Race, as well as dozens of articles and other works on space policy.
Content
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I: Explaining Space Security: Concepts and Historical Comparisons
1. The Dynamics of Space Security: Existing Explanations
2. Space and Environmental Security
Part II: Reassessing Twentieth-Century Space Security
3. Roots of the U.S.-Soviet Space Race: 1920s-1962
4. The Emergence of Cooperative Restraint: 1962-1975
5. Challenges to Space Security and Their Resolution: 1976-1991
6. Post-Cold War Space Uncertainty: 1992-2000
Part III: Considering Twenty-First-Century Space Security
7. Renewed U.S. Space Nationalism: 2001-2008
8. Expanding International Norms amid Tensions: 2009-Present
9. Alternative Futures for Space Security
Index
Introduction
Part I: Explaining Space Security: Concepts and Historical Comparisons
1. The Dynamics of Space Security: Existing Explanations
2. Space and Environmental Security
Part II: Reassessing Twentieth-Century Space Security
3. Roots of the U.S.-Soviet Space Race: 1920s-1962
4. The Emergence of Cooperative Restraint: 1962-1975
5. Challenges to Space Security and Their Resolution: 1976-1991
6. Post-Cold War Space Uncertainty: 1992-2000
Part III: Considering Twenty-First-Century Space Security
7. Renewed U.S. Space Nationalism: 2001-2008
8. Expanding International Norms amid Tensions: 2009-Present
9. Alternative Futures for Space Security
Index