Technological Innovation and the Space Race: Strategic Rivalry and Civilian Spillovers

The Cold War functioned as a permanent laboratory of technological innovation, where the strategic rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union was expressed not only in military arsenals but also in an accelerated process of scientific and industrial research.

The technological dimension became an integral part of the logic of deterrence, as the ability to develop and deploy advanced systems was perceived as tangible proof of political and military superiority. Ballistic missiles, artificial satellites, and computerized command-and-control systems constituted the material framework of this rivalry, which extended far beyond the battlefield to shape global perceptions of power.

This analysis answers: What is the central argument of “Technological Innovation and the Space Race”, and why does it matter for European defence and dual-use markets? What does this mean for European defence funding, procurement and investment decisions? How mature and defensible is the position described in “Technological Innovation and the Space Race”? Which European actors, programmes and funding instruments are most exposed?