Space Education and Strategic Applications Journal
VI . Conclusion
This research highlights the U . S ., China and India ’ s lack of incorporation of Gray Zone challenges into a national space policy . The U . S . has implemented the NSP ; however , the policy fails to identify the competing challenges of Gray Zone activities . China has no publicly released national space policy and fails to identify Gray Zone challenges overtly because China employs such activities to gain regional influence ( Acuthan , 2006 ). India has not established a national space policy due its priority of enhancing socioeconomics to eradicate poverty . Space policy plays an integral role in maintaining , sustaining , and expanding as a nation in the space enterprise .
These three nations all have different strategic objectives ; however , they will all face the challenges of Gray Zone activity . As the U . S . protects and defends vital national security infrastructure in the space enterprise it must consider how it will strategically maneuver Gray Zone activities . Furthermore , China continues to employ Gray Zone tactics to achieve regional dominance ( Hicks et al ., 2019 ). China has mapped out an ambitious space plan focusing on how the BRI will provide funding for China ’ s space program . However , China must realize the challenges associated with gaining such influence around the region . Gray Zone activities could prevent the BRI from achieving its objectives thus reducing influence in the region rapidly . Lastly , India ’ s lack of a space policy reduces the influence India may have in the region .
Furthermore , with the many challenges India is facing domestically , a national space policy may just provide a strategic structure .
Policy is important , but creating a strategy to achieve those objectives outlined in policy is vital . The U . S . has a publicly released NSSS that outlines the goals and strategic approach the U . S . will utilize to maintain space superiority . However , the broad and ambiguous nature of space requires the Gray Zone be tackled in a strategy of its own . Conversely , China has placed high stakes in the BRI , showcasing China ’ s will to gain regional influence while advancing their strategic objectives ( Hillman , 2017 ). Yet China is relying on Gray Zone tactics to achieve regional dominance without examining how Gray Zone tactics can be employed against their own strategy . India has strategically placed themselves among the prestigious ASAT community anticipating it will deter influential nations , like China . But the inability of India to create an agenda outlining military and space objectives leaves India significantly vulnerable to Gray Zone activity .
Cooperation agreements are vital as nations continue to promote the peaceful use of space and implement space strategy . As the U . S . continues to gain large allied partners such as the U . K , Canada , and India , these agreements increase the influence the U . S . has on the international stage . However , the ambiguous nature of space requires nations to step forward and establish norms in the space domain ( Wilson , 2017 ). The growing concern of Gray
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