EMERGING SPACE POWERS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS WITH PAKISTAN

Space has become more significant in the past few decades due to the numerous advantages it offers in the domain of development and security. Through a qualitative research approach, using the comparative case studies method, this paper delves into the space programmes of South Africa, Türkiye, and Iran, and compares them with Pakistan’s space programme. In particular, the civilian and Air Force-led initiatives of the chosen case studies are explored. Through an extensive review of extant literature available from each country’s official websites, scholarly articles, and newspaper reports, the study finds that South Africa has integrated its satellites’ data into decision-making. Also, Türkiye’s state-led institutions are involved in developing military satellites for its Air Force, whilst Iranian Space Agency and its Revolutionary Guards Corps are cooperating with one another in the space domain. A key finding is the prosperous private sector in all three case studies, a domain nearly absent in the Pakistani context. These findings underscore the need for public-private partnerships, a consolidated space data repository, and civil-military nexus to further enhance the space programme of Pakistan.