Crowded Orbits

Starred review from March 3, 2014
With humanity on the threshold of major space development, space policy expert Moltz (The Politics of Space Security) provides valuable historical context and informed ideas for future international space efforts. He “does not assume any prior knowledge of space,” and aims “at reaching anyone with an interest in the subject matter,” beginning with the Cold War, when the United States and Soviet Union wrestled for primacy in the heavens. When a space-based nuclear test disabled satellites in 1962, both nations agreed to ban further tests in space, but anti-satellite and other kinetic weapons development became the next threat. These increase orbital debris as well as political pressure, endangering future space missions as well as commercial satellites. A 1967 U.N. treaty called for the exploration of space for the “benefit... of all mankind,” but since then, Moltz says, little has been done. Now, with the growth of commercial space activity and more nations launching satellites and building space programs, he stresses the growing need for tracking orbital traffic and space debris, and for international policies to guide the fair and safe development of space. Moltz has written a concise, accessible, and very timely account of the history of space development, and the possible futures we could build for ourselves.