Space Piracy: Preparing for a Criminal Crisis in Orbit

Why This Book Matters

As humanity pushes deeper into the commercial space age, a critical blind spot remains largely unaddressed: the threat of criminal activity beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Space Piracy: Preparing for a Criminal Crisis in Orbit confronts this emerging reality head-on, offering the first comprehensive framework for understanding, preventing, and responding to criminal acts in space. Without a clear legal and operational blueprint, governments and private enterprises are dangerously unprepared for the inevitable security challenges that will arise as orbital commerce and habitation expand.

This book fills a glaring void in both space policy literature and security planning. It moves beyond theoretical speculation to provide actionable intelligence for professionals who must anticipate and mitigate the risks of space piracy, hijacking, and sabotage. For anyone responsible for space assets, crew safety, or orbital infrastructure, this is not optional reading — it is essential preparation.

Inside Space Piracy: Preparing for a Criminal Crisis in Orbit: A Full Overview

Space Piracy is the definitive guide to the criminal threats that will define the next frontier of human activity. Authored by Marc Feldman and Hugh Taylor, the book systematically examines how piracy — historically a maritime problem — translates to the unique environment of outer space. The authors draw on legal analysis, case studies, and expert interviews to build a complete picture of the risks.

The work is structured around three core pillars: the legal and jurisdictional frameworks governing space crime, the operational tactics and technologies that could enable piracy in orbit, and the strategic responses available to governments and private actors. It covers everything from the vulnerability of satellite constellations to the potential for hijacking crewed spacecraft, making it a uniquely comprehensive resource.

Is This Book Right for You?

This book is written for a specialized audience that operates at the intersection of space technology, security, and policy. It is not a general-interest title but a professional reference for those who need to be prepared.

• Space industry executives and program managers responsible for risk assessment and security protocols
• Government and military space policy advisors shaping national security strategies for orbital domains
• Legal professionals and scholars specializing in space law, international law, or maritime law analogies
• Security and intelligence analysts tracking emerging threats to critical space infrastructure
• Academic researchers and graduate students in space studies, security studies, or criminology
• Private security contractors and consultants developing counter-piracy solutions for space assets
• Entrepreneurs and investors in the commercial space sector who need to understand non-technical risks

What You Will Learn

Space Piracy delivers a structured education in orbital criminal threats. Here are the essential takeaways every reader will gain:

1. The legal vacuum: How existing international space treaties fail to address criminal acts, and what new frameworks are needed
2. Operational scenarios: Detailed analysis of how piracy, hijacking, and sabotage could realistically unfold in orbit
3. Vulnerability mapping: Which space assets — from satellites to space stations — are most at risk and why
4. Countermeasures: Technical, procedural, and policy-based defenses against space piracy
5. Case studies: Historical and hypothetical examples that illustrate the threat landscape
6. Stakeholder roles: The responsibilities of governments, private companies, and international bodies in preventing space crime
7. Future projections: How the threat will evolve as space tourism, mining, and colonization advance

Why This Book Stands Out

While other books address space law or space security in general terms, none provide the focused, actionable treatment of space piracy as a distinct criminal phenomenon. Existing works on space policy are often decades old or too broad to offer practical guidance. This title is the first to treat piracy in orbit as a discrete, urgent problem requiring specialized solutions.

Where general space law texts spend one chapter on crime, Space Piracy devotes its entire scope to the subject. The authors bring complementary expertise — Feldman’s background in security studies and Taylor’s in space operations — that ensures both theoretical depth and practical relevance. The book also benefits from contributions by Col. Eric Felt and Derek Shoales, adding military and operational perspectives that competitors lack.

Behind the Book

Marc Feldman is a recognized expert in security and risk analysis, with a track record of publications on emerging threats. Hugh Taylor brings direct experience in space operations and policy, giving the book a grounded, practitioner-oriented perspective. Together, they have assembled a work that reflects both academic rigor and real-world applicability.

The book is published by Wiley, a globally respected academic and professional publisher known for authoritative titles in science, technology, and policy. Wiley’s editorial standards ensure that every claim is vetted, every reference is accurate, and the overall product meets the highest expectations for professional reference works. The first edition, released in February 2025, represents the most current thinking on this rapidly evolving topic.

Final Assessment

For its target audience, Space Piracy is not just worth the investment — it is indispensable. No other single volume provides the same combination of legal analysis, operational detail, and strategic foresight. The book’s value lies in its specificity: it answers questions that general space policy texts do not even ask.

If you are a professional whose work touches space security, policy, or operations, this book will pay for itself many times over by helping you anticipate threats before they materialize. The $18.00 e-book price from Wiley is a modest cost for intelligence that could prevent catastrophic losses. For researchers, the bibliography alone is worth the purchase, offering a curated path into the scattered literature on space crime.

Download Space Piracy: Preparing for a Criminal Crisis in Orbit Now

The window for preparation is closing. As commercial activity in orbit accelerates, so does the opportunity for criminal exploitation. Space Piracy gives you the knowledge to stay ahead of the threat. Whether you are a government advisor, a private sector security lead, or an academic researcher, this book is your essential field guide to the criminal crisis in orbit.

Order your digital copy today from Wiley, the trusted publisher of professional and academic resources since 1807. The first edition is available now — equip yourself with the definitive analysis before the next headline makes it required reading for everyone.