Brazilian Space Policy in a Period of Renewed International Rivalry
摘要
The emerging rivalry between the United States and China is the most defining feature of international politics in the foreseeable future. As both great powers seek to safeguard and promote their national interests, research has increasingly focused on how this rivalry will shape regional politics across the globe. However, the rivalry will also play out in outer space due to its critical security and economic role. Brazil’s unique geographic position, decades-long involvement in space activities, and its political ambition to become a relevant space actor make it an important Latin American player in the emerging space rivalry. Brazil’s space policy seeks to prioritise its national interests by exploiting the opportunities provided by both the Great Power rivals. This chapter will analyse the growing geopolitical importance of space in the emerging Sino-American rivalry, focusing on how Brazil interacts with the two superpowers in a polarised geopolitical environment. The chapter also assesses Brazil’s space aspirations and how a robust space strategy can help Brazil maintain a leading position in the region. Accordingly, the chapter highlights the Brazilian geopolitical, legal, and policy frameworks regarding outer space and reflects on the current challenges and opportunities for emerging nations, particularly in Latin America, in participating in the complex international rivalry for space dominance.