The space building blocs analogy : technology and cooperation in the International Society of Outer Space

Abstract

This thesis examines how agencies or companies become, and develop as, actors in outer space. It identifies two factors--technological development and cooperation--as key in this process, and assesses the role of each in the progress of a space agency or company. To this end, it applies a process tracing method to eight case studies. It is argued that technology and cooperation operate under a system analogous to building blocs: the space building blocs analogy. This research finds that technological development or acquisition has a positive impact on actor development and is a necessary and sufficient condition for the progress of a space agency or company, whereas cooperation mostly has a positive impact but remains a complementary condition for progress since it only achieves explanatory sufficiency.