The Space-Nuclear Nexus and the U.S. Private Sector
A brief introduction
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61199/36eb-b5afKeywords:
nuclear weapons, outer space, private sector, emerging technologies, arms controlAbstract
Outer space affairs have undergone many changes since nuclear deterrence last played a central role in great power competition. These changes in outer space affairs have been driven in great part by the private sector and its evolving role in this domain. This research note provides an introduction to the roles played by U.S. private actors in the space-nuclear nexus. It covers more traditional roles for private actors, such as constructing satellites, and potentially destabilising novel trends, namely the emergence of private companies as operators for military clients in space. Within these categories, launch services, satellite communications, remote sensing, satellite operations and space situational awareness, as well as warfighting itself are analysed. These discussions briefly consider the role of private companies as political players, economic actors, and members of the international community. The text concludes that the involvement of private actors within the space-nuclear nexus is neither inherently stabilising nor destabilising. However, far better governance and greater transparency will be necessary to ensure that this trend has a positive impact on nuclear strategic stability.
References
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21 Ibid.
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62 Ibid.
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65 Ibid.
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85 Sandra Erwin, Lockheed Martin Targets 2028 Demo of Space-Based Missile Interceptors, (SpaceNews, 2025) https://spacenews.com/lockheed-martin-targets-2028-demo-of-space-based-missile-interceptors/.
86 SpaceNews, Golden Dome - Data and AI, video, 58:51, published 31 July 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RH5TIRCuejs.
87 Jon Brodkin, Russian official says civilian satellites may be “legitimate” military target, (Ars Technica, 2022) https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2022/09/russian-diplomat-suggests-attacks-on-satellites-in-possible-reference-to-starlink/.
88 Raju and Wan, Escalation Risks at the Space–Nuclear Nexus, 26.
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