In August 2023, S. Somanath, chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization, declared "India is on the Moon." This statement marked India's entry into the exclusive group of lunar-exploring nations, with celebrations reflecting both scientific and cultural significance.
Expanding Participation in Space Activities
Recent years have witnessed numerous countries establishing space initiatives, including several African nations. Countries like India and Israel, which weren't major contributors during the mid-20th century space race, have now attempted lunar landings.
Experts in space strategy, policy ethics, and law have welcomed this broadening participation, viewing it as a democratization of cosmic access that could benefit diverse global stakeholders.
Our international research team, with members across four countries specializing in space policy, law, ethics, geography, and anthropology, has examined the complexities of inclusive space exploration.
Power Dynamics in Cosmic Endeavors
While traditional space powers like the United States, European Union, and China have historically dominated cosmic activities, newer participants including various nations, commercial entities, and non-governmental organizations bring different objectives. These emerging players might transform space from a domain of domination to one emphasizing inclusivity, equity, and democratic principles.
In a May 2025 Nature journal publication, we explore historical and emerging tensions, particularly regarding the inclusion of non-traditional actors and Indigenous communities in space industries.
Resource Disparities Among Space Programs
Space agencies operate with varying levels of support. Newer programs typically lack the substantial resources available to established entities like those of the U.S. and China, which receive significantly greater funding.
These well-funded programs frequently launch satellites and propose initiatives that often set precedents for satellite networks, landing locations, and resource utilization that others may need to follow.
Some nations have pursued satellite ownership hoping to project geopolitical influence as space-capable countries. However, contemporary student groups can develop small CubeSat satellites independently, and recent studies indicate that even successful space missions might strain international partnerships. Expected prestige gains may not materialize, while maintenance costs could outweigh potential benefits.
Terrestrial Impacts and Indigenous Considerations
Rocket testing and launch infrastructure typically requires remote locations with existing road networks. Frequently, these facilities are established on lands with strong Indigenous claims, potentially leading to disputes like those occurring in western Australia.
Many such sites have already experienced environmental alterations through previous mining and resource extraction activities, becoming focal points for land use conflicts with Indigenous communities.
Incorporating Indigenous perspectives and claims becomes crucial to ensure environmental protection objectives for both Earth and space aren't compromised during infrastructure development.
Initiatives like "Dark and Quiet Skies" exemplify inclusive approaches, working to preserve astronomical observation opportunities free from light and noise pollution. Such movements operate on reciprocity principles, suggesting broader participation can yield universal benefits.
Scholars recognize similar dynamics within the wider space sector. Although space exploration often requires substantial investment, commitments to reciprocal arrangements could help ensure participants without extensive financial or infrastructural resources still access support systems.
Environmental Challenges of Expanded Participation
Increased participation presents environmental protection difficulties both terrestrially and extraterrestrially. More entities operating at private and international levels complicate sustainable space exploration efforts.
Even with positive intentions, establishing uniform standards for space resource utilization that protect lunar surfaces, Mars, and beyond proves challenging. Regulating satellite launches and dedicated constellations grows increasingly difficult as well.
Limiting satellite numbers could reduce space debris, protect existing orbital assets, and maintain clear night skies. However, such measures might conflict with initiatives to expand global internet accessibility.
Defining Cosmic Exploration Objectives
Addressing these issues requires considering space exploration's fundamental purposes. Two primary approaches emerge: rapid, inclusive democratization facilitating broader participation, versus conservative, restricted access favoring established players.
The conservative approach risks excluding developing nations and Indigenous peoples from processes shaping humanity's shared future. Conversely, inclusive approaches face coordination challenges, as more participants complicate regulatory consensus and collective goal-setting.
Technological narratives evolve as innovations become operational. Once-futuristic concepts like videoconferencing were viewed with suspicion in previous decades, similar to mid-20th century predictions about limited computer markets.
While technological shifts bring benefits—robots handling dangerous tasks, biotechnology improving health, AI processing vast datasets—researchers also identify potential drawbacks for each innovation.
Space exploration resists simple narratives about anticipated benefits due to its transformative scale. The central question isn't whether humanity should explore space, but why we do so, who benefits, and how access can be democratized across societal segments.
Diverse perspectives can identify productive pathways forward. Universal consensus about space exploration's value isn't necessary—even our four-researcher team holds varying beliefs—but incorporating more nations, communities, and companies into value discussions can foster collaborative international objectives.
