The International Relations of Outer Space: Changes, Continuities, and Contextualities

Abstract

The outer space mostly evokes notions and imageries which are largely limited to either the realms of science and technology or popular fiction. The paper contends that human activities pertaining to outer space are driven solely by scientific impulses and hypothesizes that political considerations have shaped and in turn been shaped by the nature of practices in and arrangements of outer space. It posits that the human activities in final frontier is subject to the politics of terra firma and is connected to the relations between and among states. The article explores these interlinkages with historical illustrations and compares and contrasts them with emerging trends to establish the interconnection between international relations and outer space.