The new space race: Sen. Mark Kelly on China's bold ambitions, America's policy & Russian threat

On this episode of the GZERO World podcast, Ian Bremmer takes a close look at the evolving US-China space race and its implications for global security, competition, and international collaboration. He is joined by Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, a former Navy pilot and NASA astronaut who offers firsthand insights into the future of US space policy.
Kelly also sheds light on China's ambitious space goals, including lunar missions and partnerships with Russia, raising concerns about the militarization of space. He emphasizes the need for the US to counter these developments and maintain space as a peaceful domain. Kelly discusses the eventual decommissioning of the International Space Station and highlights the importance of collaboration with allies like Europe, Canada, and Japan. The episode also covers the growing role of private companies like SpaceX, which are not only shaping space exploration but also playing crucial roles in geopolitical conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, through initiatives like Starlink.
Host: Ian Bremmer
Guest: Senator Mark Kelly
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[@kshen7485]

Whoever doesn’t lunch the war and peacefully develop itself will win the race.

[@doug3691]

Solid guest.

[@freespeech8520]

The latest military supplies to Taiwan included damp ammos made in 1983 and bullet proof vests with mold. Also, not a single F-16v has been delivered to Taiwan but there's no refund. The U.S. just wants to get as much money as possible from Taiwan before China unifies it.

[@freespeech8520]

The U.S. is way ahead but can't do space station, moon and Mars at the same time, while China's doing all three?

[@kshen7485]

Whoever has its internal prosperity will win.

[@ywtcc]

Who cleans up the space debris? It seems that with an industrial race to reduce cost to orbit ongoing, the threat of Kessler syndrome grows in proportion. Perhaps the UN should be taking the lead here. This is inherently a global governance problem, that requires coordination and contribution from everyone that benefits from satellites. (Everyone has a stake!) Here, there should be plenty of opportunity to pool resources, and provide access to space to countries that otherwise might be left out. (And to deny access to litterers!)

[@dphuntsman]

There’s a problem: of all the space mechanisms, using the UN is BY FAR the slowest; and the debris problem is BY FAR the fastest growing issue. There’s also the fact that - again, by far- the vast majority of debris is created by just two countries- Russia, and China- and they know that ANY honest set of meetings to try and tackle the issue will- just by the numbers- automatically focus on them. Which is why they want it to take place in the UN- where they can block any mandates for action, ok? Any coordinated spur to action has to take place outside the UN proper. But, there is hope; see my next message. - Dave Huntsman

[@dphuntsman]

…Continuing….We need to handle the orbital debris problem but sooner- rather than later- which means avoiding the formal UN system, at least in jump-starting things. To do this, we can build on what’s already in the >40-nation signed Artemis Accords. The voluntary Artemis Accords include provisions aimed at limiting the generation of orbital debris or space debris. One of the core principles of the Accords, signed by NASA and several international partners, focuses on sustainable space exploration and the preservation of the space environment. Here are the key ways the Artemis Accords address orbital debris: 1. Debris Mitigation: The Accords commit signatories to follow existing international guidelines, like those of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), which emphasize the need to minimize space debris from launches and satellite operations. 2. Safe Disposal of Spacecraft: Countries and private entities are encouraged to safely deorbit their spacecraft or ensure they are disposed of in a way that reduces the risk of generating debris. This includes placing satellites or spacecraft into disposal orbits or ensuring that non-operational objects re-enter Earth’s atmosphere safely. 3. Transparency and Information Sharing: The Accords emphasize transparency in space activities, requiring signatories to share data on space object locations to prevent collisions and avoid further debris generation. This principle supports space situational awareness (SSA), which helps track and manage space traffic to reduce the chances of accidental collisions that could create debris. The overall goal of these provisions is to foster responsible behavior in space and prevent the exacerbation of the space debris problem, which poses a risk to both current and future space operations. Now, China and Russia have so far refused to sign on to them- in fact, Russia broke off talks with the US in joining the Artemis program (before Ukraine), over the US making signing the Artemis Accords (which are voluntary codes of behavior) mandatory. China also doesn’t like the fact that they are US-led. BUT, they are good, general principles, voluntary, and consistent with international law/the Outer Space Treaty. They are a good place to start. - Dave Huntsman

[@ywtcc]

@@dphuntsman That's some great info, I appreciate the heads up. I don't know if I agree on the political contours of the problem - it looks to me like a slam dunk of a global governance issue. Getting the military incentives out of the way, and transparently addressing the orbital debris problem seems to be the best way forward. Whether we have a UN space agency, or just a working group that coordinates national programs and contractors, is really a matter of fitting the policy to the players. I'd think some of these smaller countries would jump at the opportunity. Also, with maintenance costs, and limited orbiting area, we have to talk about rents, and who's collecting them. In terms of tech, I've been speculating on the use of a space vehicle that works like a tugboat for atellites. It would open up lower orbits, as it would allow more frequent course corrections, and could manage existing fleets. Someone would have to collect rent, to make it work, of course.

[@NTPSL]

I wish he was picked for VP

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No.

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