Communication satellites and geopolitics: A case study of the Gulf and Ukraine wars
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34019/1981-4070.2026.v20.51440Keywords:
poder espacial, tecnologia de uso dual, mediação vertical, hegemonia vertical, megaconstelações de satélites.Abstract
The continuous development of communication satellites since the beginning of the space age has progressively reshaped human life on Earth, enhancing capabilities for work, education, health, economy and climate monitoring, among other sectors. However, these technologies are far from being purely civilian tools. This is not only because they were conceived within the military-industrial complexes of global powers during the Cold War, but also because they are increasingly indispensable instruments for war and defense strategies. This article explores the evolution of the role of communication satellites as weapons of war, comparing their deployment in the Gulf War (1990-1991) and during the recent phase of the Ukraine War (2022-). By integrating space power theory and vertical mediation theory, the analysis emphasizes the growing military importance of these orbital resources. While the Gulf War highlighted the capabilities of satellite technology, the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict illustrates its continuous evolution. This comparison highlights the growing reliance on satellite communications in contemporary military operations. The findings point to the need for further critical.
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