Space and Defense
Abstract
This article examines the intersection of Arctic geopolitics and space security amid intensifying U.S., Russian, and Chinese competition. Melting ice has opened access to resources and new sea routes, elevating the Arctic’s strategic value while increasing reliance on space-based communications, navigation, and surveillance. Yet, vulnerabilities in polar orbits, aging ground infrastructure, and dual-use facilities expose critical systems to environmental hazards and geopolitical risks. The analysis highlights modernization efforts—including SHIELD and Golden Dome—as well as enduring cooperation and rivalries, underscoring the Arctic’s role as both a frontier of opportunity and a potential flashpoint in space-enabled security.
Note: PDF passed accessibility checker before upload.
DOI
10.32873/uno.dc.sd.16.01.1307
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Lynch, Michael
(2025)
"From the Last Frontier to the Final Frontier: The Polar Regions and Space Security,"
Space and Defense: Vol. 16:
No.
1, Article 7.
DOI: 10.32873/uno.dc.sd.16.01.1307
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/spaceanddefense/vol16/iss1/7
Included in
Asian Studies Commons, Aviation and Space Education Commons, Defense and Security Studies Commons, Eastern European Studies Commons, International Relations Commons, Leadership Studies Commons, Near and Middle Eastern Studies Commons, Nuclear Engineering Commons, Science and Technology Studies Commons, Space Vehicles Commons