The Distinctive Aspect of International Relations in Human Spaceflights: Applying Securitization Theory to the Case of the International Space Station

Abstract

Since the end of the Apollo era, cooperation in human spaceflights between the United States and Russia has been very important. This cooperation is one of the very special, almost unique, cases of continuous cooperation between the two countries despite their generally difficult bilateral relations. The case of the International Space Station (ISS) is a very interesting one to explore since it is considered as the most important cooperation project between the two countries since WW2, all sectors combined. The question that this paper seeks to answer is how we can explain this abnormal cooperation that is the US-Russia partnership in human spaceflights, specifically in the ISS? To answer this question, the paper is using an approach inspired by Copenhagen School and securitization theory. With the help of discourse analysis, it will be explored if this cooperation can be explained because both countries are using different and contradictory security discourses regarding their mutual relations on Earth and in outer space. Thus, it will be possible to determine if this impressive collaborative endeavour in human spaceflight is the result of a (de)securitization process.