The Politics of Space Security - 3rd Edition by James Clay Moltz (Paperback)

About the Book

A political history of space weapons and arms control issues covering the 1957-2007 period.

Book Synopsis

For the past sixty years, countries have conducted military and civilian activities in space, often for competitive purposes. But they have not yet fought in this environment. This book examines the international politics of the space age from 1957 to the present, the reasons why strategic restraint emerged among the major military powers, and how recent trends toward weaponization may challenge prior norms of conflict avoidance. James Clay Moltz analyzes the competing demands of national interests in space against the shared interests of all spacefarers in preserving the safe use of space in the face of emerging threats, such as man-made orbital debris.

This new edition offers analysis of the 2011 to 2018 period, including the second term of President Obama and the beginning of the Trump administration. Focusing on great power competition and cooperation, as well as questions related to the sustainability of current and future national space policies, The Politics of Space Security is an authoritative history of the space age.

Review Quotes

"In The Politics of Space Security, James Clay Moltz presents a concise yet brilliant analysis of the history of space security through the lens of the political environment that shaped it. Moltz's book does a fantastic job of giving just enough detail to strengthen his arguments while still keeping the text flowing." --Brian Weeden, author of Arms Control Today

About the Author

James Clay Moltz is the author of Crowded Orbits and Asia's Space Race, as well as dozens of articles and other works on space policy.