A new space race is underway, characterized by a growing number of government and private players and three intersecting trends: democratization, commercialization and militarization. But what does that mean for international geopolitics and safe — perhaps even collaborative — exploration beyond Earth?
Saadia Pekkanen, University of Washington professor of international relations, is lead guest editor for a group of essays addressing such issues published online this month in the American Journal of International Law under the title “The New Space Race.”