Space and Aerospace

With the advent of atmospheric weapons and the creation of the Space Force as the newest branch of the U.S. military, space has never been more crucial to national security. CSIS examines the technological, budgetary, and policy issues inherent to the space domain.

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In China’s Orbit: Beijing’s Space Diplomacy in the Global South

China is using its dual-use space industry to lock in long-term influence across the Global South, creating strategic, economic, and security dependencies that will shape the future balance of power in orbit.

Digital Report by Matthew P. Funaiole, Brian Hart, and Aidan Powers-Riggs — January 15, 2026

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Kari Bingen

Kari A. Bingen

Director, Aerospace Security Project and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
Tom Karako

Tom Karako

Director, Missile Defense Project and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
Clayton Swope

Clayton Swope

Deputy Director, Aerospace Security Project and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
Benjamin Jensen

Benjamin Jensen

Director, Futures Lab and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
Lauryn Williams

Lauryn Williams

Deputy Director and Senior Fellow, Strategic Technologies Program

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Fifty Years Later, Lessons from Apollo-Soyuz for Today

Fifty years ago, at the height of the Cold War, the United States and Soviet Union found a reason to collaborate in space. There are lessons from this historic mission that could serve as a roadmap for a future U.S. civilian space effort with China.

Commentary by Clayton Swope — July 17, 2025

Reevaluating the Need for Mission Authorization

It is time to reevaluate the need for mission authorization and propose new rules for certain private sector space activities. Mission authorization will produce, at best, rules that serve no useful purpose or, at worst, regulations that harm the commercial space sector.

Commentary by Clayton Swope — July 14, 2025

U.S. Bombs Iran: What Comes Next?

Join CSIS Directors Heather Williams, Kari Bingen, and Tom Karako for a discussion on the future of Iran's nuclear program.

Event — June 27, 2025

U.S. Bombs Iran: What Comes Next?

CSIS’s Heather Williams, Tom Karako, and Kari Bingen discuss U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran's nuclear program, the potential Iranian response, risks of a wider regional war, and more.

Transcript — June 27, 2025

The Future of NATO Defense, Resilience, and Allied Innovation

Join the CSIS Aerospace Security Project for a virtual expert discussion on firsthand insights from a recent Baltic Sea study tour in Latvia and how the U.S. and its allies are turning operational urgency into technological and industrial momentum.

Event — June 26, 2025

Rethinking Rules of Engagement for Space

Military authorities to take counterspace actions should be broadened and delegated to the tactical level, allowing for the development of space rules of engagement. Not doing so limits the freedom of U.S. commanders to use space most effectively for joint operations.

Commentary by Clayton Swope — June 18, 2025

The Golden Dome as a Service

The United States should consider how acquiring the Golden Dome as a commercial service would unlock tremendous innovation and speed advantages, and bring the full creative might of the U.S. commercial sector to bear addressing this national security priority.

Report by Clayton Swope — June 5, 2025