Publication Date
2018
Document Type
Thesis
Committee Members
Liam Anderson (Committee Member), Alex Elkins (Committee Member), Laura Luehrmann (Advisor)
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Abstract
China signed its first turn-key communication satellite contract with Nigeria in 2004. The contract stipulated that China would design, build, integrate, launch, and complete in-orbit checkout for the Nigcomsat-1 communication satellite and then transfer control over to Nigeria. By 2018, China had contracted and launched another six communication satellites for various foreign customers. The customers, who are foreign governments, are geographically dispersed throughout South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. The satellite sales have occurred during China's unprecedented economic growth, a time in which China has been granted additional foreign policy options as its power increases relative to others. This thesis utilizes lateral pressure theory to suggest that China has strategically signed contracts with foreign governments for the sale of communication satellites to further its foreign policy objectives. Examination of China's space history, its foreign policy goals, and key variables shed light on China's intentions and possible future actions.
Page Count
141
Department or Program
Department of Political Science
Year Degree Awarded
2018
Copyright
Copyright 2018, all rights reserved. My ETD will be available under the "Fair Use" terms of copyright law.
