Escalation and Deterrence in the Second Space Age

On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first human-made object to orbit the Earth. Precisely 60 years later, space-faring nations face a much different space environment; one that’s more diverse, disruptive, disordered, and dangerous. Today’s space domain presents a number of asymmetries that differ from other domains, creating a deterrence environment with unique policy implications.

Escalation and Deterrence in the Second Space Age, a new study by the CSIS Aerospace Security Project. This report discusses the evolution of space as a contested domain, the changing threats to U.S. space systems, deterrence theory and its applications to the space domain, and findings from a space crisis exercise administered by CSIS and the Secure World Foundation last year.

This report release event will feature a presentation of the report’s key findings as well as a panel discussion. Download a copy of the report here. 

CSIS Experts

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Todd Harrison

Director, Defense Budget Analysis, Director, Aerospace Security Project and Senior Fellow, International Security Program

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Kathleen H. Hicks

Senior Vice President; Henry A. Kissinger Chair; Director, International Security Program