Assessing Russia’s Space Cooperation with China and India – Opportunities and Challenges for Europe
- Paper number
IAC-08.E3.1.7
- Author
Ms. Charlotte Mathieu, ESA, France
- Year
2008
- Abstract
Russia is one of the two main strategic partners for Europe in its space endeavour. Thus long-standing cooperation has developed between European and Russian partners in various areas, from science to launchers to manned spaceflight. However, in the past years significant changes are observed in Russia’s attitude. Strengthened by a better economic situation, Russia is now reasserting strong ambitions, and its leadership aims to reaffirm the country’s position on the international scene. The space field suffered acutely from the overall crisis through which the country went after the fall of the Soviet Union, but it is again a priority for the Russian leadership who is firmly determined to make the most of such a strategic asset. This trend is reflected in the evolution of Russia’s international partnerships in the field. One of the most striking features of this evolution is that Russia, who has leaned westward towards Europe and the United States since the end of the Soviet Union, is diversifying its partnerships and is now more and more turning eastward towards Asia-Pacific. Russia has recently intensified its relationships with two major countries, China and India, which have over the same period accelerated the development of their space activities. If Russia works more and more with those two rapidly developing space-faring nations, this evolution has the potential to strongly impact Europe and its space activities. This paper investigates the overall context of the relations between Russia, India and China and focuses on the space field. It reviews the past and current cooperation and analyses the rationale, drivers, limitations and possible evolution of such relations, from cooperation to competition, in the different space-related areas. It then examines the possible consequences of the evolution of the relations in the triangle Russia-India-China for Europe in terms of opportunities and risks. In particular it evaluates the potential impact on its space activities and on its cooperation with the Russian partner. Finally it concludes with recommended actions to be taken by European decision-makers in order to maximize opportunities and minimise risks.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.E3.1.7.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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