Abstract:
The purpose of this thesis is to examine the political dimension of contemporary space activities by analyzing the strategic objectives and motivations of the governments that undertake this program particularly how China is using space as a ―soft power‖ tool in International Relations and whether Washington is miscalculating the main direction of China’s threat to U.S. space policy and strategy. The research method used in this study is a qualitative approach to the analysis of explanation. The main theory of this study is Neoliberal International Relation Theory, and the main concepts are soft power, foreign policy and techno-nationalism.
When China launched an anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon in January 2007 to destroy one of its inactive weather satellites, most reactions from academics and U.S. space experts focused on a potential military ―space race‖ between the United States and China. Overlooked, however, is China’s growing role as global competitor on the non-military side of space. China’s space program goes far beyond military counterspace applications and manifests manned space aspirations, including lunar exploration. Its pursuit of both commercial and scientific international space ventures constitutes a small, yet growing, percentage of the global space launch and related satellite service industry.
This Thesis also highlights China’s willingness to cooperate with nations far away from Asia for political and strategic purposes. These partnerships may constitute a challenge to the United States and enhance China’s ―soft power‖ among key American allies and even in some regions traditionally dominated by U.S. influence (e.g., Africa).
