This edited volume discusses how even small nation states can make a significant difference in the future of space governance.

The book is divided into three main sections covering political theory, case studies, and space technology and applications. Key topics of discussion include planetary defense, space mining, and high-power systems in space. Through these timely subjects, the book presents strategies for developing a truly global governance framework in space, based on the concept of a responsible cosmopolitan state.

Authored by a multidisciplinary group of researchers from the Czech Republic, the volume will appeal to other scientific teams and policymakers looking to become pioneers of cosmopolitan space policies at a national and global level.

Autorentext

Dr. Nikola Schmidt (born 1982 in Prague, Czech Republic) is currently Head of the Center for Governance of Emerging Technologies at the Institute of International Relations in Prague. During the time of writing this book he was a leader of Planetary Defense project at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University Prague with an objective to deliver a policy strategy on planetary defense and asteroid mining for the Czech Ministry of Transport. Nikola has been focusing on the dynamics between politics and technology across various cyber and space topics.

Nikola participated in the ESA and NASA-funded planetary defense team project at the Space Studies Program, organized by the International Space University in Athens, Ohio, US in 2015. He received a bachelor's degree in sociology at Charles University, master's degree in international relations and security at Metropolitan University and studied international security at Sciences Po in Paris. He finished his PhD in 2016 at Charles University with a dissertation on The Birth of Cyber as a National Security Agenda. Nikola has been teaching courses on space and cyber security at various Czech universities. His recent articles were published in Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Space Policy, Acta Astronautica, New Space, Alternatives or OGEL, and he edited an extensive book on "Planetary Defense," published in the Springer series Space and Society.

Inhalt

1. INTRODUCTIONNikola Schmidt 2. THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES2.1. Cosmopolitan responsible state in space politicsNikola Schmidt2.2. Cosmopolitan theory and policy practicePavel Dufek2.3. International security regimes and near-future large technology systemsNikola Schmidt, Ondrej Ditrych2.4. Prospects of cosmopolitan politics in the light of current international space lawNikola Schmidt, Martin svec2.5. Cosmopolitan visions under critical sight of realistic geopoliticsBohumil DoboS 3. SPACE PROJECTS WITH POTENTIAL TO ENABLE COSMOPOLITAN GOVERNANCE3.1. Planetary defensePetr Bohácek3.2. Space miningMartin svec3.3. High-energy systemsNikola Schmidt3.4. Orbital debrisNicol Svárovská 4. TECHNOLOGY READINESS AND SMALL STATES CONTRIBUTIONS4.1. Asteroid observation and planetary defensePetr Pravec, Jirí Borovicka4.2. Asteroid prospection and space miningMartin Ferus4.3. High-energy systems today and tomorrowMiroslav Krus 5. CONCLUSIONNikola Schmidt