Space: will it become a realm of shared human development or a new arena for strategic rivalry? Where, up there, does the line between cooperation and competition lie — and does it even exist?

This and much more was discussed on May 22 during the lecture "Space: A Realm of Cooperation or Rivalry?", organized by the MGIMO International Applicants Club together with the Space Diplomacy Club.

Alexander Chekov, Academic Supervisor of the Space Diplomacy Club and lecturer at the Department of International Relations and Foreign Policy of Russia, discussed with future MGIMO students the prospects of space exploration, its growing role in global politics, and the key challenges of the future.

Here are the main takeaways from the lecture:

On the history of space exploration

The launch of the first satellite and Yuri Gagarin's spaceflight marked the starting point of the space era. Today, these events are commemorated annually in Russia during Space Week.
From the very beginning, space developed in two directions: as a realm of scientific discovery and as an arena for military-technological rivalry.
Space technologies largely emerged as an extension of military missile programs.
For a long time, space development was closely linked to the military sphere: reconnaissance satellites, communication and navigation systems.
Later, the international community embraced the idea of the peaceful exploration of space. The Outer Space Treaty emerged, along with the first initiatives to limit military confrontation beyond Earth. Gradually, civilian and scientific uses of space began to prevail over military ones.
Today, space has become an integral part of everyday life — from communications and navigation to digital infrastructure. Humanity's dependence on space technologies continues to grow.

Space and modern conflicts

At the same time, the nature of military confrontation is changing. The outcome of modern conflicts increasingly depends on the ability to disable an adversary's digital systems, including their space-based components.
Space is becoming a critically important part of global infrastructure and a factor of national security.

Characteristics of outer space

Space has no state borders, so any crises can have global consequences.
The rapid increase in the number of satellites — currently over 10,000 — creates new risks, including the threat of major accidents and space debris.

Key development trends

The role of space in global politics and the economy will only increase.
Along with this, the militarization of outer space is intensifying, and the likelihood of conflicts is growing.

Russia and China advocate for an international treaty banning the placement of weapons in space, while the United States and EU countries view space as a potential domain for military operations.

As a result, the attention of states, international organizations, and the public to the space agenda continues to grow.

The questions the students asked after the lecture touched on Mars exploration, "soft power" in space, and even the personal qualities of a "space diplomat." We thank Alexander Chekov for the engaging discussion, and all the guests for their lively interest in the topic of space and their active participation!

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MGIMO International (ENG) / МГИМО для иностранцев (RUS)