The Next Space Race: A Blueprint to American Primacy by Richard M. Harrison and Peter A. Garretson (Praeger Security International, 2023, 248)

Abstract

America’s Apollo Program of the 1960s and early 1970s, called the human space flight program, served as the foundation for accessing and exploring the Moon. In “The Next Space Race: A Blueprint to American Primacy”, is co- authored by Richard Harrison and Peter Garretson, with contributions from Anthony Imperato, Dr Larry M. Wortzel, Cody Retherford and Dr Lamont Colucci, sketch a comprehensive exploration of the evolving dynamics in the US pursuit of space supremacy. The book dissects who, why and what of space, providing actionable recommendations for maintaining leadership and reaping economic benefits in space. The authors paint a holistic picture of the high stakes involved in the US-China space competition, emphasizing the growing complexity between security and economics in space due to the development of advanced technologies. The book consists of eight chapters: (i) Space Is an Untapped Resource; (ii) Competing with the Chinese Space Vision; (iii) Challenges to US Space Security; (iv) American Space Primacy in Question; (v) The Future of the US Space Force; (vi) Shaping the Global Rules-Based Order of Space; (vii) Charting the Dimensions of Space Competition; and (viii) Defining an American Space Agenda. All chapters highlight the space strategy of the US and China while stressing the urgency for the US to structure a comprehensive approach to meet or surpass China’s timelines.