Join us for an insightful discussion with Dr Adam Bower, as we delve into the complexities of space governance and its impact on international relations. In this interview, we explore the challenges of defining ‘outer space,’ the role of international treaties, and the governance of private actors in space exploration. Dr Bower sheds light on NATO’s satellite agreements, multilateral forums, and the implications of a multipolar world order on space policy. We also examine the contrasting approaches of the US, Russia, and China in shaping the future of space governance. Don’t miss this thought-provoking conversation!
Content
- Defining ‘Outer Space’: Is There a Global Consensus?
- International Treaties and the Geopolitics of Space Governance
- Regulating Private Actors in Space Exploration
- NATO Satellites: Coverage Under Collective Agreements
- Multilateral Forums in Space Governance
- Multipolar World Order and Its Vision for Space Governance
- US Antipreneurship vs. Russia and China: Contrasting Approaches
- Future Outlook: Voluntary Norms in Space Governance
Adam Bower
Dr Bower is Senior Lecturer in International Relations at the University of St Andrews. He was the founding co-director of the Centre for Global Law and Governance and sits on the Steering Committee of the Institute for Legal and Constitutional Research. He is a member of the St Andrews Centre for Exoplanet Science, a Fellow of the Outer Space Institute (a global network of transdisciplinary space experts), and serves on the management team of the Scottish Council on Global Affairs. Dr Bower’s research explores the development of international norms and their impact in restraining forms of armed violence.
Selected Publications:
Bower, A., & Lantis, J. S. (2024). Contesting the heavens: US antipreneurship and the regulation of space weapons. European Journal of International Security, 9(1), 1–22. doi:10.1017/eis.2023.2
Bower, A. (2023). Global constitutionalism and outer space governance. In A. F. Lang & A. Wiener (Eds.), Handbook on Global Constitutionalism (pp. 529–541). Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781802200263.00048
Bower, A. (2023). Orbital uncertainty and the governance of outer space activities. In Uncertainty in Global Politics. Routledge.
Bower, A. (2017). Norms without the great powers: International law and changing social standards in world politics. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198789871.001.0001
