The Geopolitics of Space: Interplay between International Relations and Space Activities in Contemporary Politics

This article attempts to characterize the interplay of geopolitics and space activities based on an analysis of the evolution of international relations in the realm of space exploration. The study emphasizes that in recent decades, space has become a key element of contemporary global politics. With the transition of international relations to a multipolar model among centers of influence, competition and rivalry in global affairs, including space, have intensified. Several countries are actively developing their space programs and striving for leadership in the space domain as a means to ensure national security, gain economic advantages, and wield influence in the world. The study discusses the relationship between Russia and the USA in the space domain in a historical retrospective, and analyzes the development of China’s space industry as a long-time partner of Russia in space exploration over the past thirty years. The author concludes that today, Russia and China, possessing significant space potential, set ambitious goals in this area and plan to jointly implement prospective space projects. The consolidation of efforts will open up new opportunities for both countries in space exploration.

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