Original sin : power, technology and war in outer space / Bleddyn E. Bowen

By: Language: English Publication details: New York, NY : OUP, 2022Description: xviii, 445 pages : illustration ; 25 cmISBN:
  • 9780197677315
  • 0197677312
Subject(s):
Contents:
Part I: The original sin of space technology -- The dawn of the global space age -- Beyond bipolarity -- Part II: The maturation of spacepower -- Applied witchcraft and technical wizardry -- Tethers of modernity -- Part III: Strategy in the global space age -- Spacepower at war -- Arsenals for space warfare -- War on the cosmic coastline -- Conclusions: anarchy in the global space age.
Summary: "Space technology was developed to enhance the killing power of the state. The Moon landings and the launch of the Space Shuttle were mere sideshows, drawing public attention away from the real goal: military and economic control of space as a source of power on Earth. Today, as Bleddyn E. Bowen vividly recounts, thousands of satellites work silently in the background to provide essential military, intelligence and economic capabilities. No major power can do without them. Beyond Washington, Moscow and Beijing, truly global technologies have evolved, from the ground floor of the nuclear missile revolution to today's orbital battlefield, shaping the wars to come. World powers including India, Japan and Europe are fully realizing the strategic benefits of commanding Earth's 'cosmic coastline', as a stage for war, development and prestige. Yet, as new contenders spend more and more on outer space, there is scope for cautious optimism about the future of the Space Age-if we can recognize, rather than hide, its original sin." --
Item type: monograph
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Holdings
Current library Call number Status Date due Barcode
SIPRI Library and Documentation 629.7 Bowen Available 24/10

SIP2401

Includes bibliographical references (pages 385-415) and index.

Part I: The original sin of space technology -- The dawn of the global space age -- Beyond bipolarity -- Part II: The maturation of spacepower -- Applied witchcraft and technical wizardry -- Tethers of modernity -- Part III: Strategy in the global space age -- Spacepower at war -- Arsenals for space warfare -- War on the cosmic coastline -- Conclusions: anarchy in the global space age.

"Space technology was developed to enhance the killing power of the state. The Moon landings and the launch of the Space Shuttle were mere sideshows, drawing public attention away from the real goal: military and economic control of space as a source of power on Earth. Today, as Bleddyn E. Bowen vividly recounts, thousands of satellites work silently in the background to provide essential military, intelligence and economic capabilities. No major power can do without them. Beyond Washington, Moscow and Beijing, truly global technologies have evolved, from the ground floor of the nuclear missile revolution to today's orbital battlefield, shaping the wars to come. World powers including India, Japan and Europe are fully realizing the strategic benefits of commanding Earth's 'cosmic coastline', as a stage for war, development and prestige. Yet, as new contenders spend more and more on outer space, there is scope for cautious optimism about the future of the Space Age-if we can recognize, rather than hide, its original sin." --

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