إدارة
Volume 36, Numéro 1, Pages 79-130
2026-06-30
Outer Space As A New Geopolitical Frontier: Power, Law And Technology
Authors : Benmoussa Sofiane .
Abstract
Outer space is undergoing a profound transformation from a cooperative domain into a contested geopolitical frontier. Driven by rapid technological advancements, the emergence of private actors and the resurgence of great power competition, the space environment is increasingly shaped by dynamics traditionally associated with terrestrial power politics. This evolution challenges the long-standing conception of outer space as a neutral global commons governed by stable legal principles. This article examines how the intersection of power, law and technology is redefining the strategic significance of outer space. It argues that the growing militarisation of space infrastructures, the expansion of mega-constellations, such as those developed by SpaceX, and the involvement of private actors in conflict situations are fundamentally altering the balance between state sovereignty and global governance. At the same time, the existing legal framework, centred on the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, appears ill-equipped to regulate contemporary practices, particularly in relation to commercial exploitation, orbital congestion and security competition. Drawing on a combined realist and institutionalist approach, the article demonstrates that outer space is no longer insulated from geopolitical rivalries but has become an extension of them. While realism explains the intensification of strategic competition among major powers, institutionalism highlights the growing inadequacy of international legal regimes. The analysis further shows that weak enforcement mechanisms and competing governance initiatives risk leading to a fragmented and unstable space order. Ultimately, the article contends that without significant adaptation of international legal frameworks, outer space is likely to evolve into a domain characterised by strategic competition, regulatory ambiguity and increasing risks of conflict.
Keywords
Outer Space ; Geopolitics ; Space Security ; International Space Law ; Militarisation ; Private Actors ; Orbital Competition ; Global Governance
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