Space Security and the Transatlantic Relationship

Since the end of World War II, outer space has been an arena in which both high and low politics have played out, US Europe heavily invested. This article examines case study exploration as a window into evolving nature transatlantic relationship. With government regularly deprioritizing its foreign policy at times taking relationship for granted, author argues that transnational non-state actors important role maintaining stability alliance. In terms space, this means community—space agencies, private actors, enthusiasts, engineers, scientists, among others—often enable cooperation despite initial conflictual rhetoric stemming from political leaders. Importantly, while these or tend to view peaceful domain all humankind, governments militaries often treat next battlefield. To support argument, considers two major developments: US’s Space Force, reflects desire be dominant Europe’s Galileo satellite system, European goal strategic autonomy US. The idea should humankind is more strongly reflected outcomes, presence conflictual, militaristic rhetoric.