Transitioning to a New Space Age in the 21st Century: A Systemic-Level Approach

Since the first launch of an artificial satellite—Sputnik 1—in 1957, space activities have played a significant role as pioneering technological sector with high impact on international scenario. The system has changed rapidly in last 30 years, result intersystemic transition from bipolar and simplified 20th century to new more complex 21st century. post-Cold War undergone multiple changes its key parameters—actors, interactions, processes, trends, etc.—that require scientific approaches. Currently, there is extensive literature that attempts address these changes, but it atomized fragmented approach focuses only particular aspects activities, failing provide holistic perspective systemic changes. This article analytical concerned how can be empirically examined using systemic-level systems models, fundaments science are valuable methodological toolkit applied field studies. Therefore, main objective this research apply architecture model—previously developed for author—to study characteristics age. age century, which identifies describes Cold (1947–1991) period (1991 present), showing profound parameters emergence actors, megatrends entire world system.