Print version

Middle East and North Africa Space Capabilities & Security Challenges

18/10/2021

More than five decades after the launch of the Sputnik and the race to the Moon, new spacefaring nations emerge and consolidate their ambitions including countries in Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Security interests, national prestige, the uses of space for climate and environmental research, alongside scientific, technological and economic purposes are the main drivers to space endeavours also in that region. Satellites and launch vehicles are associated with projection of power and extension of military capabilities, as well as with the international status of a certain country vis-à-vis both domestic public opinion and foreign actors.

Paper preparato dallo IAI per conto del NATO Strategic Direction-South Hub come documento di background per la conferenza “MENA: Space Capabilities and Security Challenges”.