The politics of settling space
by Zlatan Bisercic - March 20, 2024
Source: Wikipedia
Abstract: As humanity moves into space, the settlements will need political structure, and their political relationship to Earth will have to be defined. The following article looks at possibilities.
Here is a short paper, again from 2019, a paper full of questions and no answers. Titled “The politics of settling space” by Gregory Anderson, it is a brief overview of the questions
that are waiting for us when we start colonizing Solar System. Although lacking in detail, and sometimes in clarity, it provides some basis for questioning governance of future space colonies.
The paper starts with a statement that people started roaming around 100 000 years ago, and that the intelligence capable of grappling with the cosmos exists today, partially because those few people decided to move around and explore new lands. Then, the author guides through the shortest history of human’s exploration, with the statement that we are on the verge of another historically significant migration – the first wave of the human settlement in space.
An important factor to consider when talking about politics in space, according to the author of this paper, is biology, stating that space settlers will have to have either natural gravity, or make use of artificial gravity, as in the famous O’Neill torus colonies. Related question is how much gravity is enough? Citing the author – “Determining the answer to the suite of questions will shape settlement policies.” The following text is about the time period when first colonies will appear, based on gravity criteria, will it be Moon, Mars, or some artificial habitats with its gravity, which should provide us with the timeline. For example, its much easier to start colonizing Moon or Mars if the gravity is enough, than making space habitats with gravity, thus, if gravity on Mars proves to be enough, we can make space colonies sooner than later. On the other hand, where exactly is the connection between settlement policies and gravity requirements is unclear. But the questions still stand.
Settlement policies, according to the author, will reflect the physical realities of space, while being dependent on the political and economic realities of Earth. Going on, the author mentioned the possibility of nation funded colonies, but also private one, with questions of colonies’ strategies and motivation.
Also, the author answers the one of the most important criticisms of space colonization – Why we should settle space when we have numerous problems on Earth? The answer is tied to economy, as it can single-handedly fix all the problems on Earth at the moment, nevertheless, here is the quote – “One way to expand the economy is to physically expand into space to create new industries and new wealth.” As much as I agree with the statement that we need to settle space, I think that we should take more factors into account than just economy for properly answering this question.
Next, the author tackles the issue of the legal situation, and the need for its clarification. “The main treaty defining space law today is still the 1967 Outer Space Treaty negotiated largely by the US, and now defunct USSR. Among other things, the treaty prohibits any nation from claiming a celestial body or any part thereof, which is why Apollo astronauts didn’t claim the Moon as US territory.” Would it mean that no nation can claim anything on the Mars as well, and what about corporations settling the Moon and the Mars? Will they not be able to claim the surrounding area for expropriation of resources? All of these and many more questions are to come, meaning that space law has to develop, and in a short time most likely.
Pointing out that space colonies will never be truly cut from Earth, at least in the sense of communication, there is the question of colonial governance and all the problems that come along. We have seen how it used to work here on Earth, and soon we are to witness yet another colonial rush. “The politics of settling space will likely be too daunting for political leaders to tackle on their own. The opportunity to take the next step in establishing an enduring civilization could well come amidst chaos. If that next step is to be taken, the vision and courage of an engaged populace, expressed democratically, may be required.”
This piece of discussion about politics in space is a small part of the puzzle that we will have to solve, sooner rather than later.
Keep looking up and see you next time!