Chatter: Governing Space Settlements Ethically with Erika Nesvold
Sep 28, 2023
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Astrophysicist and space communicator Erika Nesvold discusses the ethical governance of space settlements, including conflicting motivations for space settlement, selection of space settlers, legal personhood for non-terrestrial bodies, labor law and criminal justice in space settlements, and how motivations for settling space influence government forms. Topics also include science fiction influences, the JustSpace Alliance, and the Outer Space Treaty of 1967.
The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 does not address private claims to territory and resources in space, leading to the need for national laws and agreements to regulate space activities and resource extraction.
The criteria for selecting settlers for space settlements vary depending on the purpose, with considerations of qualifications and expertise in mining outposts and factors such as access to wealth, representation, and adaptability in luxury travel or lifeboat settlements.
The formation of governance structures for space settlements requires careful consideration of factors like territorial claims, property rights, and representation, with international precedents like the Antarctic Treaty System offering valuable insights.
Environmental regulations and responsible resource usage are crucial in space settlements, as they require governance rules to prevent environmental harm and balance settlers' needs, mirroring the growing awareness of environmental impact on Earth.
Deep dives
The Outer Space Treaty and the Ownership of Space
The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 prohibits the national appropriation of territory in space, meaning that no country can claim ownership of the moon, Mars, or any other celestial body. However, it does not specifically address the issue of private companies or individuals claiming territory or resources in space. To address this, some countries, like the United States, have started implementing national laws and documents like the Artemis Accords to regulate space activities and resource extraction. Debate continues on how to balance property rights with the need for environmental protection and equitable access to space resources.
Selecting Settlers for Space Settlements
The criteria for selecting settlers for space settlements depend on the purpose and goals of the settlement. In scenarios like mining outposts, qualifications and expertise are crucial in selecting settlers. However, in cases of luxury space travel or lifeboat settlements, factors like access to wealth, representation, genetic diversity, and adaptability become important considerations. The selection process raises questions about equity, diversity, and inclusion in space settlement initiatives, as well as the need for flexible individuals who can learn and adapt in unknown environments.
Ethical Questions Surrounding Space Settlements and Resources
The discussion around space settlements also raises ethical questions regarding the ownership and utilization of resources in space. The Outer Space Treaty prohibits national appropriation of territory, but does not explicitly address private companies or individuals claiming resources. Current debates revolve around concepts like resource mining and the parallel with Earth's international fishing rights to justify resource ownership. The absence of clear regulations has led to the need for national laws and agreements, and potential conflicts arise when the interests of different stakeholders intersect, such as mining companies, ecological preservationists, and settlement builders.
Considerations for Space Settlement Governance
The formation of governance structures for space settlements requires careful consideration of factors such as territorial claims, property rights, and representation. International precedents like the Antarctic Treaty System can offer valuable insights into the management of shared spaces. Additionally, discussions have emerged about granting legal personhood to celestial objects or elements in space, resembling the legal recognition of natural entities like rivers. Balancing the needs of settlers, environmental protection, and international cooperation will be essential for shaping the ethical and legal frameworks for future space settlements.
Importance of Environmental Regulations in Space Settlements
Environmental regulations are crucial in space settlements to ensure responsible use of resources and prevent harm to common space and minerals. Just as modern governments have rules for governing the use of Earth's resources, similar regulations are necessary in space. The libertarian idea of 'first one there gets to decide' doesn't align with historical governance practices. Recognizing the significance of environmental regulations in space is vital, given the increasing awareness of the environmental impact of human actions on Earth.
Labor Rights and Challenges in Space Settlements
Labor rights in space settlements present unique challenges. The harsh space environment poses risks to workers, such as radiation exposure and decreased gravity. Isolation and lack of transportation options make workers vulnerable to exploitation. Solutions like designing liberty into habitats, such as providing personal spacesuits for mobility, can protect workers' rights. However, centralized control of resources and potential suppression of dissent in small communities raise concerns. Balancing labor rights in space settlements requires careful consideration and broader conversations involving labor rights activists and experts in fields like sociology and anthropology.
Addressing Crime and Punishment in Space Settlements
Addressing crime and punishment in space settlements involves complex ethical dilemmas. Traditional methods like imprisonment face practical challenges, such as limited space and resources, and potential mental health implications in isolated environments. Exploring alternatives to incarceration and drawing lessons from restorative justice approaches on Earth can provide insights. Conversations with social scientists, historians, ethicists, and marginalized communities are important to develop legal frameworks and governance systems that address crime while maintaining ethical standards in space settlements.
As humanity builds settlements beyond Earth, myriad ethical issues will arise--many in a different way than they do terrestrially. Astrophysicist and space communicator Erika Nesvold has devoted extensive thought and research to how to ethically govern space settlements, most notably on her podcast Making New Worlds and in her book Off-Earth.
In a conversation that pairs well with Shane Harris's March 2022 Chatter discussion with astrobiologist Lucianne Walkowicz about ethical space exploration, David Priess spoke with Erika about her grounding in Star Trek and other science fiction, the JustSpace Alliance that she co-founded with Lucianne, that alliance's interactions with space industrialists, Erika's application to be an astronaut, conflicting motivations for humanity to settle space, how we should select space settlers, the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, the concept of legal personhood for non-terrestrial bodies, labor law and criminal justice in space settlements, how motivations for settling space influence openness to various forms of government, and more.
Chatter is a production of Lawfare and Goat Rodeo. This episode was produced and edited by Cara Shillenn of Goat Rodeo. Podcast theme by David Priess, featuring music created using Groovepad.
