Episode 18: Space Age Beginnings

What did the beginnings of the US space programme look like? Who was the strategist who decided to invest in it? And was the starting point President Kennedy's reach-the-moon promise, or President Reagan's 'Star Wars' programme? Dr Mark Shanahan, Associate Professor of Politics at the University of Surrey, unveils his research on the often-unappreciated influence of an earlier US leader: President Eisenhower and his two-term administration between 1953 and 1961. The discussion highlights lessons from the Cold War and their applicability to the great power competition dynamics of today.

Om Podcasten

Space is becoming increasingly congested, contested and competed over. It has never been so easy – or so cheap – to launch a satellite into orbit. With space activity proliferating, its impact on national security has grown too: space assets are becoming vulnerable and space debris is becoming increasingly dangerous. War in Space is a series of interviews with experts in space and defence that will analyse the intersection of space and national security, unravelling the technical jargon that so often accompanies these discussions and explaining why space matters for our everyday lives and security. The views or statements expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by RUSI employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of RUSI.