Space Policy Seminar: Challenges & Opportunities in Governing Outer Space

This seminar offers students a comprehensive introduction to space policy, exploring its history, contemporary challenges, technological implications, and future.

In addition, students will get the unique opportunity to contribute to new research by Belfer Fellows Ariel Ekblaw, Ely Sandler, and John “JD” DeMello on the governance of outer space, which they are developing in discussions with NASA, US Space Force, ESA, and other international space agencies.

At the end of the semester, participants will be invited to MIT’s flagship space event, Beyond the Cradle, presenting ideas developed in the semester to the space policy and technology community. Participants may be invited to discussions with senior policymakers in Washington, D.C. and Colorado Springs, CO.

Session 3 | Geopolitics & Great Power Competition in Space (Part I)

This session will present a summary of how outer space fits into our current geopolitical order. We will discuss China’s rise and a new Sino-U.S. space race, Russia’s existing and precarious future role in western space activities, as well as emerging space powers and developing nations’ founding space programs.