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At the end of 2022, NASA launched Artemis I, the first flight of the Space Launch System (SLS)—the most powerful rocket ever—with the Orion capsule on-board, on an unmanned journey around the moon and back. Sometime in the next few weeks, Space X will already surpass SLS’s record by test-launching a fully assembled Starship for the first time ever. And by
the end of the year, NASA will begin work on the first missions to construct the Lunar Gateway, a next-generation space station that will orbit the moon and serve as a way station for missions to the moon and beyond. Clearly, a new era of space exploration is dawning with these missions, and the new day they all strive to bring forth is a permanent human presence on other worlds.
I’ve discussed the benefits and dangers of space colonization from the perspective of a late 2010s and early 2020s college student extensively in my previous blogs. However, the rapid advancement implied in these recent endeavors have spurred my interest in "astropolitics"- a
term used to describe the political, social, and economic implications of space colonization. As humanity sets its sights on colonizing other planets, it's crucial to consider the potential issues and outcomes we may face in our spacefaring future.
Geopolitics in Space
First, let's consider the current geopolitical landscape on Earth. Nation-states compete for
resources, territory, and power, often leading to conflicts and tensions. As humans expand into
the solar system, it's likely that similar dynamics will emerge. Nations will compete for control
of valuable resources on other planets or vie for political influence over established colonies.
One potential outcome is the formation of extraterrestrial nation-states. As permanent
settlements are established on other planets, it's possible that new societies and cultures will
emerge, with their own distinct identities and political systems.
There is a conceivable example of how that might play out in the Sci-Fi TV-show, The Expanse
(2020), based on the novels by James S.A. Corey. In it, we see a future in which humanity has
colonized much of the solar system, with political power divided between the Earth, Mars, and
the asteroid belt. The show highlights the tensions and conflicts that emerge as these factions
compete for resources and political influence. For example, the Martian military seeks to
establish independence from Earth, while the asteroid belt becomes a hotly contested
battleground for power and resources. The show even imagines how non-state actors, like
religious groups, might have their own goals in space beyond economics or politics.
Beyond entertainment, this fictional portrayal raises an interesting question: what would
something like Martian independence really look like? Would it be a peaceful and cooperative
transition, or would it be marked by conflict and tension? Would the new Martian nation-state be
aligned with Earth nations, or would it forge its own path? What will the implications of a
Martian nation-state be for international or interplanetary relations and diplomacy? How can we
ensure that conflicts and tensions are managed effectively regarding space, without resorting to
violence or aggression? How can we promote cooperation and collaboration across different
cultures, political systems, and celestial bodies?
Lessons from Earth: Sustainable Growth
Astropolitical questions are not limited to such overt and far-off topics as inter-planetary peace
and sovereignty, though. Other issues like resource allocation and sustainability spawn an
entirely different set of questions. How can we ensure that the Martian environment is preserved
for future generations, while also meeting the needs of the growing colony in the very near
future? How can we develop technologies and systems that are both efficient and
environmentally sustainable?
Inequality from the Old World
Besides the changes they entail, astropolitical events may also reinforce current norms here on
Earth too. The cost of space travel and colonization is likely to be prohibitively high for many
people, which could create a new form of class-based discrimination. Those who have the
resources and technology to colonize other planets could potentially leave behind those who do
not, creating a new kind of inequality that could have profound consequences for human society.
If certain nations or companies gain a monopoly on space resources, it could give them an unfair
advantage over others, which could have serious consequences for global security.
What If We Aren’t Alone?
Another issue far too hypothetical and limitless to expand upon here, but equally worthy of
consideration: What if there is pre-existing extraterrestrial life on the bodies we explore and
colonize?
Prudent Pioneering
These are just a few examples of the many ways in which the issues of space exploration and
colonization have implications today. Humanity's long history of exploration and colonialism has
been marked by triumph and tragedy. The last Age of Exploration saw Europeans colonize much
of the world, bringing with them disease, slavery, and exploitation. No matter what, as we set our
sights on space, it is crucial that we learn from the lessons of the past and think ahead to establish
policies and practices that promote cooperation and peaceful coexistence. By engaging in
thoughtful discussions and debates about these issues, we can help to shape the future of
humanity and ensure that our path forward is one that is sustainable, equitable, and just.
The final frontier provides us an unprecedented opportunity to build a better future for ourselves
and for generations to come. Let’s not waste it.
Tanner Morrow is a McConnell Scholar in the class of 2023. He studies Asian Studies, political science and Chinese at the University of Louisville.