On Astropolitics and the Political Painting of Space
Astropolitics is all about how countries compete and cooperate in space, especially when it comes to strategy and global power. It’s influenced by international agreements, like the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. This treaty bans weapons of mass destruction in space but still allows some military activity, which leads to a lot of legal grey areas.
Recently, efforts to keep weapons out of space hit a roadblock. In 2024, the UN Security Council tried to pass a resolution to ban space weapons, but it ended in a tie vote (7–7), with Switzerland not taking sides. Russia wanted a complete ban on all space weapons, while the US and Japan preferred to focus only on weapons of mass destruction, showing how divided the major powers are on this issue.
There’s a key difference between militarisation—using space for things like surveillance or communication—and weaponisation, which means putting actual weapons in space. The second one is more dangerous and could spark a new arms race, as highlighted in a 2025 analysis by Diplo.
Space itself is a tough environment, demanding high-tech tools and big investments, so only the most advanced nations can really operate there. The edge of space—called the Kármán line—is between 80 to 100 kilometres up. Below that, countries control their airspace; above that, space is open and not owned by anyone under current laws.
Big events like the launch of Sputnik-1 in 1957 and the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969 showed how important space is, not just for exploration but also for military uses. For example, GPS technology was a game-changer during the Gulf War, proving how space tools can directly affect warfare.
Competition and Strategy in the Great Power Space Race
The space race isn’t just between the US and Russia anymore—it now includes China, India, and private companies like SpaceX. China has become a major player, planning to send astronauts to the Moon by 2030. In 2023 alone, it launched 67 rockets, some using reusable tech similar to SpaceX.
The US set up the Space Force in 2019 to stay ahead in space, while Russia ties its space activities to its nuclear strategy, using satellites to guide attacks during conflicts like the 2008 Georgia war and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
India’s successful Moon landing in 2023 shows it’s quickly catching up in space technology and ambition.
A big reason for this race is money—the space industry is expected to be worth $1.8 trillion by 2035. Private companies are also shaping the field. SpaceX, for example, offers satellite services like Starlink to governments, which can be used for both civilian and military purposes, adding more complexity.
This mix of national pride, economic ambition, and military strategy is making the space race more intense. Tensions are growing, especially with both the US and the China–Russia bloc planning to build bases on the Moon.
ASAT Weapons are Threats to Space Security
Anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons are built to knock out or disable satellites, and they’re a big threat to space safety. These weapons go back decades—like the Soviet Union’s Istrebitel Sputnikov in the 1960s and the US’s Program 437. More recently, China tested one in 2007, India followed with Mission Shakti in 2019, and Russia has tested a system called Nudol.
The 2007 Chinese test created a cloud of debris that’s still floating in space, adding to the growing clutter. That kind of debris is dangerous because it can damage other satellites.
In 2024, the US raised concerns about a new Russian ASAT project that might break the rules of the Outer Space Treaty, although it hasn’t been officially used yet.
These tests leave behind a lot of junk—more than 29,000 objects bigger than 10 centimetres and around 170 million tiny particles larger than 1 millimetre are currently in orbit. All of this poses a serious risk to satellites and space missions.
Global efforts to prevent this kind of space weaponry haven’t gone far. The UN has pushed for legally binding rules, but disagreements between countries stalled progress—highlighted by the failure of a 2024 resolution meant to regulate space weapons.
A New Military Tool Starlink in Warfare
Starlink, run by SpaceX, now has more than 7,000 satellites in low Earth orbit. It provides fast internet around the world and is increasingly being used for military purposes. Its military version, called Starshield, had already won over $300 million in contracts by early 2025 under a US Space Force programme, far outpacing rivals like OneWeb.
The Pentagon also signed a $537 million deal to fund Starlink support for Ukraine’s military communications until 2027, showing how important it has become in modern warfare.
Starlink’s fast, reliable connection has made it useful for secure military operations—it’s been tested by both the US Army and Navy.
But there are some controversies. Elon Musk’s personal control over Starlink, has sparked serious concerns about national security. There’s also an ongoing legal debate about whether Starlink satellites could be considered legitimate military targets in a war, which would further complicate things.
The Future Outlook
The growing use of space for military purposes shows how complicated things have become. It’s not just about countries competing anymore—there’s a mix of power politics, anti-satellite weapons, and new tech like Starlink all playing a role.
International rules haven’t kept up, and the rise of private companies is making things even more complex. Who controls space is still up in the air, with both governments and businesses pushing their own agendas. To avoid conflict and make sure space stays safe for everyone, the world needs to work together on fair and balanced rules.
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Rajeev Ahmed
The Editor of Geopolits.com and the Author of the book titled Bengal Nexus
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