U.S. military strategy, particularly the "Star Wars" scenarios, has generated renewed interest in outer space. The implications for the security of nations on Earth and other emerging space policy problems are examined in this volume. People in Space is organized into three sections following an overview by Katz: military activities in space, civilian activities in space, and space as a sociological phenomenon.

The authors treat the human uses of outer space as endeavors wherein ordinary policy and sociological processes take place. They offer perspectives on how space policy ought to be and is being formed. Space policy is a new, often emotionally charged field, laden with conflicting ideas, values, and worldviews.