Impact of International Cooperation for Sustaining Space-Science Programs

TL;DR

This paper explores how international cooperation can enhance space-science programs, especially for developing nations, by analyzing case studies like ISRO and the International Space Station, highlighting benefits and limitations.

Contribution

It introduces a framework to quantify international collaboration impacts on space-science and applies it to case studies, revealing benefits and constraints.

Findings

International cooperation significantly expands science goals.

Limited impact of space diplomacy on education and security.

Case studies illustrate diverse outcomes of collaboration.

Abstract

Space-science programs provide a wide range of application to a nation's key sectors of development: science-technology infrastructure, education, economy and national security. However, the cost of sustaining a space-science program has discouraged developing nations from participating in space activities, while developed nations have steadily cut down their space-science budget in past decade. In this study I investigate the role of international cooperation in building ambitious space-science programs, particularly in the context of developing nations. I devise a framework to quantify the impact of international collaborations in achieving the space-science goals as well as in enhancing the key sectors of development of a nation. I apply this framework on two case studies, (i) Indian Space Research Organization - a case of space-science program from a developing nation that has historically engaged in international collaborations, and (ii) International Space Station - a case for a long term collaboration between matured space-science programs. My study concludes that international cooperation in space can significantly enhance scope of science goals, but has relatively little return of investment towards science education and national security. I also highlight limitations of such space diplomacy in the case of China and SAARC nations, and list criteria for future investigation and case studies.