Why space exploration must not be left to a few powerful nations

Abstract

The space industry is expanding fast — and its value is set to triple in the next decade, from US$630 billion in 2023 to $1.8 trillion by 2035. However, although the number of nations with space programmes is growing — with 77 space agencies worldwide — many others are excluded. In particular, many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), Indigenous Nations and communities and small states are missing from debates around space activities. Their concerns around how people operate in space, the environmental consequences, Indigenous rights, diverse views of cosmology and demands for political and scientific participation are typically dismissed.