Journals / Hacettepe Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 44 Sayı: 2

The International Space Station: A Case Study in Science Diplomacy

Uluslararası Uzay İstasyonu: Bilim Diplomasisinde Bir Vaka Çalışması

Gökhan Duman(İZMİR DEMOKRASİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-7007-3542
Pages
390–403
Publication Date
2026-06-30
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Findings indicate that legal frameworks, such as the 1998 Intergovernmental Agreement, exemplify ‘diplomacy for science’ by enabling technical cooperation and cost-sharing.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study examines the International Space Station, a pivotal symbol of the post-Cold War transition from competition to cooperation, within the framework of science diplomacy to understand how it has sustained international collaboration despite geopolitical tensions.
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Key Findings & Data:Findings indicate that legal frameworks, such as the 1998 Intergovernmental Agreement, exemplify ‘diplomacy for science’ by enabling technical cooperation and cost-sharing.
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Conclusion & Impact:Ultimately, the study concludes that the ISS demonstrates that scientific goals can transcend political divides, offering a sustainable model for future endeavors such as the Lunar Gateway, Mars missions, and commercial space partnerships.
🔬Design:Modeling & Simulation
📍Scope:2014 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Bilim Diplomasisi · Uluslararası Uzay İstasyonu · Bilim İçin Diplomasi

Abstract

This study examines the International Space Station, a pivotal symbol of the post-Cold War transition from competition to cooperation, within the framework of science diplomacy to understand how it has sustained international collaboration despite geopolitical tensions. Employing a qualitative case study design, data were collected through a comprehensive document analysis of official intergovernmental agreements, reports from space agencies such as NASA and ESA, and existing academic literature. The study reveals that the ISS concretely embodies the dimensions of science diplomacy, particularly ‘diplomacy for science’ and ‘science for diplomacy’. Findings indicate that legal frameworks, such as the 1998 Intergovernmental Agreement, exemplify ‘diplomacy for science’ by enabling technical cooperation and cost-sharing. Conversely, the uninterrupted continuation of operations during periods of political conflict, such as the 2014 Ukraine crisis, highlights the ‘science for diplomacy’ dimension by fostering trust through mutual interdependence. Ultimately, the study concludes that the ISS demonstrates that scientific goals can transcend political divides, offering a sustainable model for future endeavors such as the Lunar Gateway, Mars missions, and commercial space partnerships.

Özet

Bu çalışma, Soğuk Savaş sonrası dönemde rekabetten iş birliğine geçişin en önemli sembollerinden biri olarak gösterilebilecek Uluslararası Uzay İstasyonu’nu bilim diplomasisi çerçevesinde ele alarak, istasyonun jeopolitik gerilimlere rağmen uluslararası iş birliğini nasıl sağladığını ve sürdürdüğünü incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden vaka çalışması yönteminin kullanıldığı çalışmada veriler; resmi hükümetlerarası anlaşmalar, NASA ve ESA gibi uzay ajanslarının raporları ve mevcut akademik literatürün analizi yoluyla toplanmıştır. Çalışma, Uluslararası Uzay İstasyonu’nun bilim diplomasisinin özellikle ‘bilim için diplomasi’ ve ‘diplomasi için bilim’ boyutlarını somutlaştırdığını ortaya koymaktadır. Bulgular, 1998 Hükümetlerarası Anlaşması gibi hukuki çerçevelerin teknik iş birliğini ve maliyet paylaşımını mümkün kılarak ‘bilim için diplomasi’yi örneklendirdiğini göstermektedir. Öte yandan, 2014 Ukrayna krizi gibi siyasi çatışma dönemlerinde dahi operasyonların kesintisiz sürmesi ve karşılıklı bağımlılık ilişkisi, ‘diplomasi için bilim’ kapsamında güven inşa edici bir rol oynamıştır. Sonuç olarak çalışma, Uluslararası Uzay İstasyonu’nun bilimsel hedeflerin politik ayrılıkları aşabileceğini kanıtladığını; Lunar Gateway, Mars görevleri ve ticari uzay sektörü ortaklıkları için sürdürülebilir bir model oluşturduğunu göstermektedir.

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Cite This Article

Duman, G. (2026). The International Space Station: A Case Study in Science Diplomacy. Hacettepe Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi, Cilt: 44 Sayı: 2, 390–403. https://doi.org/10.17065/huniibf.1704605

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