Advocacy Coalitions and the Evolution of U.S. Space Policy: Private Companies, Competition, and Space Traffic Coordination

This study employs advocacy coalition framework (ACF) theory to analyze debates over U.S. space policies designed to avoid dangerous collisions between objects in Earth orbit. For decades, the Department of Defense prioritized national security in its development of space traffic coordination (STC) systems like the Space Surveillance Network. However, the proliferation of for‐profit space companies in the 21st century helped created new advocacy coalitions and pressures to reform the system. This article employs the ACF to compare two case studies of STC system development, including commercial lobbying to create a new Department of Commerce program called the Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS) during the Trump I and Biden administrations, and a second phase of struggle to defend and sustain the system in the face of major funding cuts during the Trump II administration. The article traces space policy decision‐making and analyzes the evolution of power, technology, and influence in this policy subsystem. Related Articles Lantis, Jeffrey S. 2019. “‘Winning’ and ‘Losing’ the Iran Nuclear Deal: How Advocacy Coalitions and Competition Shape U.S. Foreign Policy.” Politics & Policy 47(3): 464–505. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12299 . Nam, Aerang, and Christopher M. Weible. 2023. “Examining Experts' Discourse in South Korea's Nuclear Power Policy Making: An Advocacy Coalition Framework Approach to Policy Knowledge.” Politics & Policy 51(2): 201–21. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12522 . Crawford, Anna M., and Christopher M. Weible. 2025. “Advocacy Coalition Representation.” Politics & Policy 53(6): e70103. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.70103 .