DISSERTATION PROJECT

China as a new Global Space Power:
A Role Analysis in the Context of Global Leadership Competition in the Area of Outer Space

China’s recent outer space programs have emerged as a symbol of the country’s technological and geopolitical advancement, sparking strong interest by media, scientists and politicians alike. This thesis proposal explores whether China is actively pursuing a global leadership role in outer space and provides methods to evaluate its ability to enact this role. It provides an overview over the current debate on China and its ambitions in outer space exploration and highlights the divide between positions on a potential US-China space race. By examining China’s prominent outer space programs and comparing them to similar programs conducted by other states, the proposal develops an approach based on a role theory framework. Utilizing this framework, the proposal highlights the aspects of external perception, self-perception and identity, and the capacity to act based on four leadership auxiliary roles; pioneer, agenda-setter, representant and mediator. The future thesis aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current order in outer space, a possible new Chinese global leadership role and its implications for international leadership dynamics.