In short: Space has become a field of military, economic and political competition, led by the United States, China and Russia and joined by India. M Abdul Rafay Azhar argues that Pakistan must invest in SUPARCO, settle its space policy choices, and push for updated global space laws before the gap becomes permanent.
The dynamics of geo-political, economic, political, security and strategic concerns have been widely altered with the advent of satellite navigation and space exploration, urging Pakistani think-tank and SUPARCO to proceed and develop capabilities in order to survive the modern age. Today, dual-use satellites are widely deployed in low-Earth orbits and Lagrange Points where they serve for both military and industrial usage of the space-faring nations.
Although the space exploration has been primarily dominated by the big three (USA, China, Russia), the developing states are also diving into astronomy and space politics to safeguard state objectives and maintain autonomy with examples of African Union Space Agency, Japan, India and European Space Agency reflecting the dire need for developing sophisticated space technology.
Hence, it becomes indispensable for Pakistan to take a lead as well and lay the foundations for future space programs, leading to a more stable and distinct voice in the global politics of universe and space.
History of Space Exploration
While seeking to understand the significance of space exploration, it is crucial to observe its origins and trace back the current objectives of major states to Cold War Era. The trigger that prompted humanity to leave Earth and enter the realms of utter infinity and darkness was nothing more than sheer pride and nationalism. In order to undermine the adversary, USA and USSR engaged in a long-standing space race, whereby each side aimed to down-grade the other.
The objective was to undermine the capacities of the enemy. It resulted in USSR launching Sputnik which goes down in history as the first object to have entered space. It was humiliation for USA, which by then, had taken resolve to land the first human on surface of Moon.
President John F Kennedy mentioned that USA would do its best to land a human on Moon by the end of decade, which fortunately materialized in July 1969 when Neil Armstrong became the first ever human to leave a foot-print on the surface of Moon. USSR also continued to develop space technology. However, the interest of common public in space competition began to fade and Apollo Missions were discontinued.
After the dissolution of USSR, the space era was also on its dawn, but then came the time of commercial activities in space. Satellites were launched in the first decade of 21st Century and it opened new doors of applications. The race again took a turn when China arrived on the scene and is now continuing at an unprecedented rate, with militaries involved in space programs.
Military and Economic Importance of Space
Today, we no longer observe security spheres of a state separated from space technology. The navigation of military targets, precise launch capabilities, intense laser capable of obliterating ground systems, and Anti-Satellite systems on Earth are vital examples of a new era. Furthermore, the industrial nexus is also fundamentally entrenched in space exploration, as the states tend to explore rare earth minerals and helium-3 remnants on Moon and beyond.
Space investigation has been modernized recently as more private sector companies invest and produce novel theories, which contributes to the development of this sector world-wide. Companies such as US based SpaceX and Japanese I-Space have been productive and also produced efficient space crafts with minimal resources.
Space Competition in Asia
As the world proceeds to more innovative space industry, Asia lacks a consensus widely found in Europe and Africa over developing space technology. China and Japan are working independently, but there is a need for a wide-spread agreement and co-operation. Asia Pacific Space Co-Operation Organization (APSCO) is vital step, and can significantly alter the current dynamics. India has been projecting its space power through missions which are wide in aims.
It seeks to compete with Sino space industry, hence not participating in Chinese led APSCO. It may also cause unrest in volatile South Asian region where two nuclear armed states are frequently at daggers drawn.
Pakistan’s Space Policy and Future Prospects
All the changing situations and dynamics put Pakistan in a sensitive and uncertain position, where it must seek appropriate policy measures and invest proportionately in SUPARCO. The increasing influence of India in space has kept Pakistan think-tank in a precarious situation. The current investment in space sector and aeronautical spheres is below par and requirements of the future era.
As a state, it must take immediate reforms and steps aimed at promoting space industry and interest among the growing youth population. At the same time, it has to choose one of the blocks such as US led Artemis Accords or Sino-Russian group, which poses a critical decision-making stage and the policy making today shall shape the future for our generations.
Pakistan cannot afford to leave US and co-opt with NASA, but the all-weather friend is also presenting glamorous and shining opportunities such a BeiDou navigation system that works independently of GPS. China can also support Pakistan through its launching sites which are very few and carefully selected in the world to match the West-East rotation of Earth. All of these factors are crucial and need to be focused before drafting a national policy and framework.
India’s Space Advancement and Pakistan’s Security
A major driver for adoption of space exploration is the hostile neighbor on its East. India has significantly developed its space capability, while it aims to strengthen its military fortress as well. For such ambitions, India has positioned satellites in space that power its nuclear weapons navigation and also warning systems. This leads to a more advanced and powerful defensive structure which proves extremely difficult to coerce in an event of confrontation.
Similarly, the laser weapons in the lower-Earth orbits can also pose a vital threat to Pakistan’s ardent and crucial defense systems on ground. As the space industry of India continues to grow, so does its ability to undermine its long-term foe and cause significant damage by dazzling or blinding Pakistani satellites.
Consequently, Pakistan is forced into the space race, and there is an urgent need for consensus at the political level to draft further course of actions to maintain stability, autonomy, sovereignty, and balance-of-power in the region.
Space Weapons and Global Peace
The weapons being developed on international front in the space arena are impedances towards global peace and unification of humankind. The history of humanity has been marred by frequent outbursts of fight, violence, and war, which have only added to human miseries. The space front is also volatile to human nature and it is developing as a new ground for war, which transcends the clouds and sky and unravels in an arena of utter silence.
The modern satellites are performing significant military objectives and are even equipped with guns and defensive weapons. The science-fiction that once played out in novels and movies might now become a not-so distant reality. Thus, it calls humankind to bind together and set internal differences aside. One can find peace and solutions through diplomacy and negotiations which have marked our history.
Thus, the need of the hour is to unite behind a global goal which seeks to promote the welfare of humanity amidst climate crisis and modern issues. There is a requirement to update previous space laws like Outer Space Treaty, which have become obsolete and serve no purpose today. UN can look towards legislations that promote global peace and coherence with references such as United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Conclusion
In conclusion, the world is heading towards a new reality which is going to shape the future of generations to come. The curiosity of human mind is enhancing as each day passes by, and it looks towards unlocking doors to secrets and mysteries that have been hidden from our eyes so far.
It is our responsibility today to frame a global consensus and agreement which can unite the global order under one umbrella, whereby the globe seeks new venture in space and produce explorations that go down in history. The world is ours today, and we must resolve to produce a better tomorrow for generations to come, since it has been the norm of human civilization for centuries.
Thus, the world leaders should diminish grudges and forget past skirmishes, for it allows each nation to flourish and usher in a new era of space journey that is driven by global unity, objective, and peace.
Related reading on Feature Pakistan: Pakistan Wins Three Honours at International Space Games 2026 and Pakistan Satellite Internet Launch in Final Stages, Says IT Minister.
About the author: M Abdul Rafay Azhar is a BS Artificial Intelligence student at NUST. He writes on artificial intelligence, public policy and current affairs, with a keen interest in how technology shapes society. He aims to promote general awareness through his writing.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Feature Pakistan.
