Book Review: Crowded Orbits: Conflict and Cooperation in Space

Crowded Orbits

“Space assets, operated by an increasing number of governmental and non-governmental entities, offer the world enormous benefits that were unimaginable just a few decades ago. Today, these benefits are threatened by risks from dangerous space debris (‘space waste’), destructive collisions, the crowding of satellites, the growing saturation of the radio-frequency spectrum, etc. These challenges call for committed involvement by all space-faring and other countries to ensure greater safety, security, and long-term sustainability of outer space activities.”
~ From introduction to EU proposed “Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities”

By Catherine Austin Fitts

Our theme for the Solari Report Annual Wrap Up which will publish on January 7 is “The Space-Based Economy.” Consequently, I am on a search for the best books I can recommend to you on this topic.

Crowded Orbits: Conflict and Cooperation in Space by James Clay Moltz is an excellent overview of the publicly available information on the history and activities of global space programs and the growing traffic jam in the orbital space around Earth.

Dr. Moltz is a Professor, Associate Chair for Research, and Director of the Project on Advanced Systems and Concepts for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Department of National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School.

“This book offers general readers and students an understanding of the competing trends of competition and cooperation in the past and present of human space activity, while also asking questions about the future. It covers scientific topics, the economics of space, and difficult debates about military security. The book does not assume any prior knowledge of space and is aimed at reaching anyone with an interest in the subject matter. Its overall focus is on possible means of avoiding dangerous conflict in this new environment, even as human activity increases.”

~ From the Preface

Dr. Moltz accomplishes his goal. The book is an excellent introduction and overview of the unclassified history and future of human endeavors in space.

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