Weapons in Space: Technology, Politics, and the Rise and Fall of the Strategic Defense Initiative

Table of Contents:
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS vii ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ix THE “OTHER NIGHT SKY” 1 1 THE RISE AND FALL OF DÉTENTE ON EARTH AND IN SPACE 11 2 CAMPAIGN FOR THE HIGH GROUND 41 3 OUT OF THE BLACK 73 4 “EUROPE MUST NOT LEAVE SPACE TO THE AMERICANS” 99 5 OUT OF THE LABORATORY AND INTO SPACE 133 6 SDI AND THE NEW WORLD ORDER 165 SDI RECONSIDERED 197 A SENSE OF DÉJÀ VU 209 NOTES 217 BIBLIOGRAPHY 299 INDEX 315

About the Author :
Aaron Bateman is Assistant Professor of History and International Affairs at George Washington University. He has published widely on technology and international security during the Cold War. He received his PhD in history of science from Johns Hopkins University.

Review :
“Weapons in Space will serve as a useful case study in a number of subject areas and will offer valuable lessons for researchers and policymakers for years to come.” —Journal of Policy and Strategy “Weapons in Space is a major accomplishment in the political and historical study of outer space. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the transnational history and politics of outer space, especially for those more interested in its military, industrial, and political dimensions.” —H-Net Reviews “Drawing on previously classified documents, Bateman pulls back the curtain on political and diplomatic discussions. While rooted in the past, the book is a serious contribution to contemporary international security scholarship because we continue to have concerns about the weaponization of space today.” —Binding Hook “Bateman succeeds in making a complex topic accessible... The book is worthwhile for anyone interested in exploring the intersection of technology and politics in military strategy, offering lessons that remain relevant in today’s increasingly complex global security environment.” —Journal of Military Strategy “This work is a must read for space enthusiasts and policy makers so that we do not repeat past mistakes and keep near and outer space a safe adventure for all.” —Choice “Splendid archival research and compelling analysis. Bateman has rendered invaluable service by unravelling the complexities of outer space militarization and deftly situating these within the broader historical, political and strategic context… Weapons in Space is a classic.” —RUSI Journal “Bateman’s astute historical analysis is an essential read for anyone wanting to learn more about the militarization of space, the SDI’s impact on arms control and its legacy today.” —International Affairs “Amidst a resurgence in space exploration enthusiasm, [Bateman’s] detailed analyses remind us of the inseparable links between technological advancement, geopolitics, and national security.” —China International Strategy Review “Weapons in Space offers a crucial reminder that space flight and space technologies were never separate from Cold War policies.” —British Journal for the History of Science “Weapons in Space is an important contribution to the literature.” —Joint Force Quarterly “Presents a history of the 'black world' of American national security space activities that truly breaks new ground.” —Diplomatic History “This is an excellent book and a must-read for anyone who is interested in military uses of space and in US-Russian relations. It is also a model of archival research on sensitive intelligence-related subjects.” —Svetlana Savranskaya, H-Diplo “Bateman’s book has made a very welcome contribution to our understanding of SDI and the issue of weapons in space…. It is a complex story, but Bateman lays it out well. This book will be of great value to historians, as well as to those who are thinking about the problem of weapons in space today.” —David Holloway, H-Diplo