Space Weaponization and Canada-U.S. Relations: Lessons from Australia

Abstract

At a time when new forms of security threats via outer space place further pressure on states to characterize key security values, a government’s best option is to design a relevant and innova tive space defense policy. In particular, the geographic location, finances and diplomatic support of middle powers afford them a decisive role in the international realm of space and security policy. To shed light on future space and weaponization policy options this article applies a comparative analytical framework to Canadian and Australian military space relations with the United States. An in-depth examination of these states’ past, present and future approaches to space weaponization reveals that rapid adoption of new organizational and managerial practices for Canada and the U.S. would improve the chances of long-term middle power-major power cooperation on space weaponization.