Watersheds in the modern world: the space viewpoint

A new world order has begun to appear since the early 1990s. The simplicity of interaction between individual states, based on the rivalry between the two superpowers, is gradually being replaced by new attitudes formed in a complex, uncertain and risky context. States still have a role, discussing, negotiating, legislating, creating infrastructures and issuing directives. However, political power, with its laws, its order and its reasoning, is being supplemented and often dominated by other forms of power: economic, financial or influence. Space policies follow or sometimes precede political trends. They were the spearhead of the ‘glory years’ and still bear the imprint of the simple rules which applied twenty years ago. However, amid the current uncertainty, it is possible to perceive the outline of the space policies of the future, which may contribute to the definition of new watersheds in the modern world.