Description
This paper analyses the concept of sovereignty in, around, and about outer space as it relates to middle powers – specifically Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Does sovereign space exist? What does it mean to have sovereign space capabilities? With the increasing acknowledgement of the shifting strategic threat and changing character of war by these countries, more pressure has been placed on middle powers, and allies to the United States, to develop space capabilities in a concept known as ‘allied by design’. As such, this paper aims to broaden the understanding of sovereign space – arguing that while middle powers have developed and are developing sovereign space capabilities, they have not done so without their allies in mind. While sovereign space capabilities do exist for middle powers – independent space power does not.
