Current interest in furthering space exploration is undoubtedly relevant to materials science research. However, as we stand on the brink of a revolution, it is imperative to establish robust frameworks to foster sustainable growth. In this Viewpoint, experts in space policy, environmental stewardship and ethics reflect on issues from space debris management to international collaboration and exploitation of extraterrestrial resources.
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Related links
Circular space economy: https://medium.com/@moribajah/a-personal-vision-for-a-circular-space-economy-18eb45ab0c3a
Extended Producer Responsibility: https://aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org/departments/environmentalism-on-earth-points-the-way-to-responsibility-in-space/
Orbital occupation: https://aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org/departments/occupation-even-in-orbit-is-colonialism/
Reusable and recyclable satellites and rockets https://aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org/departments/we-have-landfills-in-space-but-we-dont-have-to/
Traditional Ecological Knowledge https://aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org/departments/indigenous-peoples-have-much-to-teach-us-about-sustainability-even-in-space/
The contributors
Martin Elvis: Dr Martin Elvis is a high-energy astrophysicist. He publishes widely on asteroid and lunar resources and the space economy. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a Member of the Aspen Center for Physics and is past-Chair of the Hubble Space Telescope Users’ Committee and of the High Energy Division of the American Astronomical Society. Asteroid 9283 Martinelvis is named after him. His book ‘Asteroids: how love, fear, and greed will determine our future in space’ was published by Yale University Press in 2021.
Moriba Jah: Prof. Moriba Jah’s background spans the realms of astrodynamics and space situational awareness. He is the director for Computational Astronautical Sciences and Technologies and the Lead for the Space Security and Safety Program at the Robert Strauss Center for International Security and Law. He is a MacArthur ‘Genius’ fellow and multiple organizations such as the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He is currently a Professor of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics at the University of Texas at Austin and co-founder of Privateer and Moriba Jah Universal.
Erika Nesvold: Dr Erika Nesvold has a PhD in physics and expertise in computational astrophysics. She has conducted astrophysics research at NASA Goddard and the Carnegie Institution for Science. She is a developer for Universe Sandbox, a physics-based space simulator; co-founder of the non-profit organization the JustSpace Alliance; the author of Off-Earth: Ethical Questions and Quandaries for Living in Outer Space; and co-editor of Reclaiming Space: Progressive and Multicultural Visions of Space Exploration.
Kazuto Suzuki: Prof. Kazuto Suzuki’s interest in space policy stems from his doctoral work on European space collaboration. Since then, he has been working in international space policy. He was involved in formulating Japan’s Basic Space Law as an adviser to the Liberal Democratic Party, which was the sponsor of the Law. He is currently teaching at the University of Tokyo and serving as a member of the Japanese National Space Policy Committee.
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Elvis, M., Jah, M., Nesvold, E. et al. Shaping the ethical, sustainable and policy-driven future of space exploration. Nat Rev Mater (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41578-023-00636-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41578-023-00636-z
