National-oriented Scope In Space Policy: Facts And Trends
- Paper number
IAC-07-E3.4.11
- Author
Mr. Alider Cragnolini, Instituto Nacional de Tecnica Aerospacial (INTA), Spain
- Year
2007
- Abstract
It is well known that at the beginning of space activities, just two countries were main actors in the new scenario a strong national-oriented scope prevailed in both cases in the programmes respectively developed. At the same time, a clear ideological prospect has been deployed as an expression of two political blocs. Other nations followed such a dispute within the boundaries of previous political alliances, geopolitical links and even territorial tutelage. Very few examples of early efforts of third countries to carry on space activities were always based on arguments about the preservation of national autonomy. This is why it seems quite pertinent to examine the 50 years of the “space age” in the scope of the national involvement in the sector activity. The relevance of the “national factor” in space programmes, could allow us to establish a characterisation of different periods within a more extended one, reaching now a half of century duration. In fact, the aim of the paper is to present a comprehensive understanding of global space environment which main features are basically related to the role played by nations, acting as major ruling forces in a changing scenario. The presentation will deploy several exercises to determine different periods in the space development, mainly regarding national options of space policy: national-oriented, broad cooperation, preferred partnership, etc. It is to note that –according to this approach- those options are determinant for choosing specific areas of interest (space applications, exploration, etc) and their related technologies. This topic has a particular relevance, since recent moves in the international space arena are showing an increasing trend towards a more national-oriented scope last us space policy; the role of emerging countries; “re-nationalization” in some ESA countries; etc. The paper aims to present a sequence of periods in the history of space age (“periodization”), based in the weight (or dominance) of national scope in the space activity of major actors. Changes in different co-operative initiatives (erg. complementarily, joint projects, etc) will be also examined, as well as the different technology options derived from the model adopted at space policy level. Finally, the paper would promote discussion for thinking over present and future configurations of the global space environment.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
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