Space is rapidly transforming from a frontier of exploration into a contested battlespace where strategic advantage is measured in orbits, signals, and the control of critical infrastructure. Join us for a panel discussion on Space Militarization and Securitization, examining how states are redefining security beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Bringing together experts in defence policy, international law, and emerging technologies, the panel explores the development of counterspace capabilities, the proliferation of dual-use satellite systems, and the risks of escalation in an environment marked by limited governance. Particular attention is given to doctrines shaping deterrence in space, the vulnerability of critical orbital assets, and the implications of commercial actors entering the strategic domain. The discussion will assess whether existing frameworks can manage competition—or whether space is on the cusp of sustained militarized rivalry.
Dr. Mark Hilborne is a senior lecturer at King’s College London in the Defence Studies Department, and holds an MPhil and PhD from Cambridge University, and did his undergraduate at UBC in Vancouver. Dr Hilborne’s research interests and publications concentrate on security, strategic stability and arms control, with a focus on outer space as well as nuclear deterrence and proliferation. Dr Hilborne is also the convenor of the Space Security Research Group at King’s. Prior to moving to King’s he also worked at the University of Birmingham and UNIDIR in Geneva. He has recently co-edited a book, called War 4.0, and is involved in a long-term project on space norms and governance. In addition to publishing on space security issues, Dr Hilborne has been involved with the UK MoD, FCDO and other governmental offices on UK space policy.
Juliana Suess is an Associate with the STAND Project (Strategic Threat Analysis and Nuclear (Dis-)Order) within the Research Group International Security at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) in Berlin. There she researches space security, deterrence and arms control. She is a current PhD Student in War Studies at King’s College London and also the host of the podcast War in Space, which discusses the intersection of international security and space. Juliana is an Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), where she was previously Research Fellow for Space Security.
Krista S. Langeland is a senior physical scientist at the RAND Corporation focusing on developing frameworks and models for strategic development and decision making support. She is the deputy lead of the RAND Space Enterprise Initiative, a virtual center that provides a focal point for all RAND space-related research for the U.S. government and U.S. allies. Her recent work at RAND focuses on policy and strategy in the space domain, including deterrence in space, building cooperation with allies, assessing adversary perceptions, and examining escalation dynamics. She leverages a wide set of tools and techniques for her analysis, including game theoretic and behavioral modeling, event tree analysis, risk assessments, and network analysis. She has developed frameworks to support decision-making in a number of different areas, including examining the potential impact of space technology investments and assessing possible approaches for increasing resilience in the space domain. Since joining RAND, her research has supported technology assessments and policy development through a wide variety of focus areas that include 21st century deterrence, advanced sensing technology, space situational awareness, design principles for technological innovation, optimization of data value, nuclear systems and sustainment, and organizational resiliency. Prior to joining RAND, she received her Ph.D. in materials science from the California Institute of Technology, where she studied methods for enhancing the performance of thin-film silicon solar cells via waveguiding and sub-wavelength metallic scattering surface structures.
