![]() ![]() This concept is problematic for Corbett’s ideas given that these were written from the perspective of an island seapower. By imagining space as a hostile coastline shared by continental powers rather than a vast ocean separating sea powers, Bowen makes the book’s most important contribution to spacepower theory. Here he points out more limitations of applying bluewater seapower theory to space as ‘Earth orbit is within weapons range of Earth’s surface, space powers can be neighbours on Earth, may also share a cosmic coastline without vast, isolating distances between them, and celestial lines of communications are not the only ones available for strategic actors to use in war’. It begins with Proposition V: that orbit is a cosmic coastline suited for strategic manoeuvres. Having established a solid conceptual foundation in Part 1, Bowen introduces his new vision of spacepower in Part 2. War, even war in space, ‘is a socio-political phenomenon composed of the elements of passion, reason and chance…space warfare is the continuation of Terran politics by other means.’ While taking the reader through these first four propositions, Part 1 of the book provides a comprehensive exposition of strategic thought and integrates them into spacepower theory in a nuanced way. Underpinning all of this is a reminder that spacepower theory cannot be treated in isolation from Clausewitz’s principles of war. As he puts it ‘as long as human life clings to the landmasses of Earth and the resources that feed civilisation come from Earth, spacepower by itself may struggle to be decisive, no matter the level of preponderance or hegemony in space.’ Nonetheless, Bowen explains in Proposition IV that spacepower does manipulate celestial lines of communication, whether these are physical paths taken by satellites or the data which flows through them. He highlights the limitations of the sea power analogy as he puts it when explaining proposition II, ‘Despite the resonant analogy between commanding the sea with commanding space, Earth orbit must still be considered a unique place that places specific demands on any knowledge base and technical skills of any actor.’ In proposition III, he goes on to dispense with the simplistic notion of space as the ultimate high ground, implying as it does that command of space equates to command of earth. ![]() However, Bowen critiques the simplistic export of maritime strategic thought into space. One example he offers is space control and denial being analogous to the ideas of sea control and denial for example, being able to deny the use of space by disabling an adversary satellite does not imply space control (being able to use it for yourself) any more than sea denial (e.g. As Bowen explains ‘the works of Alfred Thayer Mahan and Julian Corbett provide an essential foundation for strategic thinking about space because they provide universal concepts regarding the command of a transitory medium’. Part 1 of the book explains propositions I-IV which moderate existing spacepower theory, which draws in turn on sea power theory and particularly the ideas of Mahan and Corbett. VII Spacepower is dispersed and imposes dispersion on Earth. VI Spacepower exists within a geocentric mindset. V Earth orbit is a cosmic coastline suited for strategic manoeuvres. IV The command of space manipulates celestial lines of communication. ![]() III The command of space does not equate to the command of Earth. II Spacepower is uniquely infrastructural and connected to Earth. I Space warfare is waged for the command of space. Bowen’s theory is based around seven propositions which form the structure of the book as he takes the reader through each one. It is a state of affairs which this book seeks to correct by offering a new and compelling theory of spacepower. ![]() This is an extraordinary and unsatisfactory state of affairs given the importance of space-based systems in modern warfare and spacepower in the distribution of power between actors in the international system. This challenge, made in 1996, could be repeated today and is perhaps one reason why spacepower still sits on the periphery of professional military education and International Relations. Dr Bowen begins his book with Colin Gray’s challenge – “Where is the theory of space power? Where is the Mahan of the final frontier?”. ![]()
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