Dual Use of Space Technology: A Challenge or an Opportunity? Space Commercialization in the US After the Cold War

Abstract

This chapter explains why and how changes in the security environment after the Cold War affected the growing trend toward space commercialization in the US. The primary argument is that throughout the Cold War, the US government mainly perceived the dual-use characteristic of space technology as a threat to national security. Thus, it closely monitored technology diffusion, and commercial activity was minimal. In the decade following the end of the Cold War, the decrease in the intensity of global threats led to a reduction of overall government budgets allocated to space activities. It also waived some of the restrictions on technological diffusion. At the same time, space technology matured into a force multiplier for terrestrial military campaigns. The 1991 Operation Desert Storm (First Gulf War) demonstrated to many in the strategic community that space capabilities were highly significant for future warfare. This reasoning supported a new concept of warfare, known as the Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA). Dominance in space was one of its pillars, but demanded investments in force buildup. In that context, using the same technologies for both commercial and military/civil applications had the potential for more efficient and low-cost empowerment. Consequently, the US government no longer perceived dual-use space technology only as a considerable threat but also as an opportunity. The US government began to cooperate with commercial players to develop and operate advanced space technologies. This trend led to greater space commercialization.