Star-Bound and Star-Crossed: A Path to U.S.-China Space Cooperation Through Science Diplomacy

ABSTRACT

The present state of geopolitical competition between the United States and China now extends into the space domain. How can the United States and China alter this trajectory toward conflict in space, and instead begin to cooperate and collaborate in space affairs? This paper addresses the question by utilizing qualitative and historical analysis, rooted in neoliberal theory of science diplomacy applied to current spheres of influence and institutions in space affairs. Proposed herein is a two-stage approach linking basic science endeavors with space affairs to chart a course toward greater cooperation between the United States and China. This path would prevent conflict in space affairs and propel scientific innovation, providing benefits for humankind.

Acknowledgments

I wish to express profound gratitude to Hilary Appel, William Ascher, Geraldine Han, Terril Jones, Stephanie Kleine-Ahlbrandt, Evis Mezini, Minxin Pei, Ivan Rasmussen, Michael Schiffer, and Jennifer Taw. I also wish to acknowledge the institutions that made this project possible: Claremont McKenna College and the Keck Center for International and Strategic Studies at Claremont McKenna College.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

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41 Neufeld, 64.

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45 Neufeld, 100.

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55 Neufeld, 180.

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70 Feldscher.

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78 Moltz, 105.

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85 Brinkley, 278.

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88 Fallows, 217.

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92 Carrier.

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98 Woo.

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102 Wong.

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106 Sun.

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110 Lee.

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113 Summers.

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116 Xin.

117 Xin.

118 Feldscher.

119 Young.

120 Young.

121 Young.

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123 “China is Unusually Secretive About its Space Programme,” The Economist, May 18, 2023, https://www.economist.com/china/2023/05/18/china-is-unusually-secretive-about-its-space-programme.

124 Sadeh, 10.

125 “China is Unusually Secretive About its Space Programme,” The Economist, May 18, 2023, https://www.economist.com/china/2023/05/18/china-is-unusually-secretive-about-its-space-programme.

126 Ibid.

127 Cross, 207.

128 Cross, 207.

129 “China is Unusually Secretive About its Space Programme,” The Economist, May 18, 2023, https://www.economist.com/china/2023/05/18/china-is-unusually-secretive-about-its-space-programme.

130 Ibid.

131 Ibid.

132 Ling Xin, “China Catches Up in Commercial Space: An Interview with Ji Wu,” National Science Review 9, no. 7 (July 2022), https://doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwac065.

133 Xin.

134 “Space Policy and Sustainability: Issue Briefing for the Biden Administration,” Secure World Foundation, December 2020, 21, https://swfound.org/media/207084/swf_space_policy_issue_briefing_2020_web.pdf.

135 Feldscher.

136 Feldscher.

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139 Bateman.

140 Weeden.

141 Luk Van Langenhove, “Who Cares? Science Diplomacy and the Global Commons,” AQ: Australian Quarterly 90, no. 4 (2019): 21.

142 Ian Sample, “US Scientists Boycott NASA Conference Over China Ban,” The Guardian, October 4, 2013, https://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/oct/05/us-scientists-boycott-nasa-china-ban.

143 Neufeld, xii.

144 Cross, 199.

145 José-Miguel Bello y Villarino, “Preventing a Cold War in Space Using European Research and Innovation Programs,” Science & Diplomacy, American Association for the Advancement of Science, https://www.sciencediplomacy.org/article/2019/preventing-cold-war-in-space-using-european-research-and-innovation-programs#note26%20rel=.

146 Cross, 199.

147 “Space Policy and Sustainability: Issue Briefing for the Biden Administration,” Secure World Foundation, December 2020, 20, https://swfound.org/media/207084/swf_space_policy_issue_briefing_2020_web.pdf.

148 Ibid, 20.

149 MacDonald.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Claremont McKenna College Keck Center for International and Strategic Studies. The views expressed are purely those of the author.