Pub Date : 2025-05-01DOI: 10.1016/j.spacepol.2024.101675
Adam Janikowski
Significant attention is now being directed toward the space resources industry in what people are calling the next frontier of mineral exploration. The basic space treaties were proposed and executed at relatively early stages in the development of space exploration and exploitation, and, as such, were drafted to be ambiguous as new technologies were developed. To that end, individual states are beginning to propose domestic legislation to regulate space property rights. To date, the United States, Luxembourg, Japan and the United Arab Emirates have succeeded in enacting such laws, with other countries currently drafting similar legislation.
This paper does not attempt to discuss the suitability of or to interpret domestic law and how it fits within the framework of the basic space treaties; rather, it reflects upon the domestic space property rights legislation that has been enacted and examines the impact that those laws have had upon investment into the space sector of the country in which they were passed.
{"title":"Bold steps forward: The investment impact of enacting space resources legislation","authors":"Adam Janikowski","doi":"10.1016/j.spacepol.2024.101675","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.spacepol.2024.101675","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Significant attention is now being directed toward the space resources industry in what people are calling the next frontier of mineral exploration. The basic space treaties were proposed and executed at relatively early stages in the development of space exploration and exploitation, and, as such, were drafted to be ambiguous as new technologies were developed. To that end, individual states are beginning to propose domestic legislation to regulate space property rights. To date, the United States, Luxembourg, Japan and the United Arab Emirates have succeeded in enacting such laws, with other countries currently drafting similar legislation.</div><div>This paper does not attempt to discuss the suitability of or to interpret domestic law and how it fits within the framework of the basic space treaties; rather, it reflects upon the domestic space property rights legislation that has been enacted and examines the impact that those laws have had upon investment into the space sector of the country in which they were passed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":45924,"journal":{"name":"Space Policy","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 101675"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144243152","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-05-01DOI: 10.1016/j.spacepol.2024.101676
Florian Neukart
The pursuit of interstellar exploration is a convergence of advanced technological innovation and profound ethical reflection, challenging humanity to extend its reach beyond the solar system while carefully considering the complex moral implications of such an endeavor. This paper explores the multidimensional aspects of interstellar travel, examining advancements in propulsion systems, habitat construction, and life support alongside the critical ethical, sociopolitical, and philosophical questions that arise in contemplating human presence on extraterrestrial worlds. We emphasize the necessity of an integrative framework harmonizing scientific and technological progress with a profound ethical commitment to responsible exploration, environmental stewardship, and respect for potential extraterrestrial ecosystems. Our analysis underscores the dual nature of interstellar exploration as both a technical challenge and a philosophical journey, advocating for a future in which humanity's expansion into the cosmos is guided by caution, humility, and respect for diverse perspectives, including those that challenge the imperative of space expansion. This synthesis of science and ethics offers a roadmap for navigating the uncertainties of space exploration with wisdom and integrity, ensuring that our interstellar ambitions reflect the highest ideals of human responsibility and shared values.
{"title":"Toward the stars: Technological, ethical, and sociopolitical dimensions of interstellar exploration","authors":"Florian Neukart","doi":"10.1016/j.spacepol.2024.101676","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.spacepol.2024.101676","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The pursuit of interstellar exploration is a convergence of advanced technological innovation and profound ethical reflection, challenging humanity to extend its reach beyond the solar system while carefully considering the complex moral implications of such an endeavor. This paper explores the multidimensional aspects of interstellar travel, examining advancements in propulsion systems, habitat construction, and life support alongside the critical ethical, sociopolitical, and philosophical questions that arise in contemplating human presence on extraterrestrial worlds. We emphasize the necessity of an integrative framework harmonizing scientific and technological progress with a profound ethical commitment to responsible exploration, environmental stewardship, and respect for potential extraterrestrial ecosystems. Our analysis underscores the dual nature of interstellar exploration as both a technical challenge and a philosophical journey, advocating for a future in which humanity's expansion into the cosmos is guided by caution, humility, and respect for diverse perspectives, including those that challenge the imperative of space expansion. This synthesis of science and ethics offers a roadmap for navigating the uncertainties of space exploration with wisdom and integrity, ensuring that our interstellar ambitions reflect the highest ideals of human responsibility and shared values.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":45924,"journal":{"name":"Space Policy","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 101676"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144243151","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-05-01DOI: 10.1016/j.spacepol.2024.101666
Maximilien Berthet , Riccardo Corrado
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has long participated in global space activities. At present, more and more member states are establishing space programs. An ASEAN new space economy is taking root, still in its infancy compared to those of global space powers. To assist policymakers in fostering the next stage of space development in ASEAN, this article provides a comprehensive review and analysis of the current status and potential gaps in regional space sector cooperation. Cross-cutting challenges are identified from a survey of previous studies. To unravel their causes and prospective solutions, a historical review of around 20 frameworks promoting regional space sector cooperation in ASEAN is performed. Then, interviews are conducted to enhance the assessment. These provide the perceived contributions of the frameworks from the point of view of the end user. Domains with mature and only nascent regional cooperation are thus identified. Mature regional cooperation is enjoyed in space-based remote sensing data research and utilisation, and short-term initiatives for targeted space capacity building. Only nascent cooperation exists to conduct long-term cross-sectoral space capacity building; foster entrepreneurship; develop regional policies and standards for space-related activities; and pool funding from within the region. In light of the recent establishment of several regional space agencies around the world, attention is drawn to an ASEAN Space Agency as an option to fill identified cooperation gaps.
{"title":"ASEAN regional cooperation in the space sector: Current status, potential gaps, and future perspectives","authors":"Maximilien Berthet , Riccardo Corrado","doi":"10.1016/j.spacepol.2024.101666","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.spacepol.2024.101666","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has long participated in global space activities. At present, more and more member states are establishing space programs. An ASEAN new space economy is taking root, still in its infancy compared to those of global space powers. To assist policymakers in fostering the next stage of space development in ASEAN, this article provides a comprehensive review and analysis of the current status and potential gaps in regional space sector cooperation. Cross-cutting challenges are identified from a survey of previous studies. To unravel their causes and prospective solutions, a historical review of around 20 frameworks promoting regional space sector cooperation in ASEAN is performed. Then, interviews are conducted to enhance the assessment. These provide the perceived contributions of the frameworks from the point of view of the end user. Domains with mature and only nascent regional cooperation are thus identified. Mature regional cooperation is enjoyed in space-based remote sensing data research and utilisation, and short-term initiatives for targeted space capacity building. Only nascent cooperation exists to conduct long-term cross-sectoral space capacity building; foster entrepreneurship; develop regional policies and standards for space-related activities; and pool funding from within the region. In light of the recent establishment of several regional space agencies around the world, attention is drawn to an ASEAN Space Agency as an option to fill identified cooperation gaps.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":45924,"journal":{"name":"Space Policy","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 101666"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144243466","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-05-01DOI: 10.1016/j.spacepol.2024.101664
Asena Boztas , N. Ceren Turkmen
Turkiye has invested significantly in the development of its space policy in recent years. At its core, Turkiye's space policy aims to reduce the country's dependence on foreign technologies and develop national capabilities in related fields. However, it also has implications for national security, defense and political power. This study uniquely contributes to the literature by providing a comprehensive, interdisciplinary analysis of Turkiye's space policy, focusing on its economic and political dimensions. The study commences with a brief historical overview of Turkiye's space program, highlighting its evolution and strategic milestones. It then addresses the economic implications of Turkish space policy, including potential benefits and challenges for the country's macroeconomic and microeconomic environment. Finally, the study examines the political power dimensions of Turkiye's space policy, encompassing national security, defense, and geopolitical implications.
Drawing on a range of sources, including government reports and academic articles, this research integrates the theoretical frameworks of Political Economy and International Relations to offer a multifaceted analysis. The findings indicate that, from an economic perspective, investment in the space program is expected to stimulate economic growth, create new industries and job opportunities, increase economic diversification, and lead to the development of human capital. The space program will spur technological advancements across various sectors, thereby enhancing efficiency and productivity. Furthermore, a successful space program will elevate the country's international prestige, attracting more investors, and expanding investment opportunities. From a political perspective, Turkiye is enhancing its launch capabilities and missile defense systems to bolster national security due to its geopolitical position. Turkiye's space policy is designed to position the country as a leading space power in the Middle East and beyond, thereby strengthening its strategic and diplomatic stance globally.
This study provides critical policy recommendations to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of Turkiye's space endeavors, emphasizing the importance of foundational investments in education, research, and international collaborations. The insights gained from this interdisciplinary approach are invaluable to policymakers and scholars, offering a holistic understanding of the economic and political ramifications of national space programs.
{"title":"An interdisciplinary analysis of Turkiye's space policy: An economic and political perspective","authors":"Asena Boztas , N. Ceren Turkmen","doi":"10.1016/j.spacepol.2024.101664","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.spacepol.2024.101664","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Turkiye has invested significantly in the development of its space policy in recent years. At its core, Turkiye's space policy aims to reduce the country's dependence on foreign technologies and develop national capabilities in related fields. However, it also has implications for national security, defense and political power. This study uniquely contributes to the literature by providing a comprehensive, interdisciplinary analysis of Turkiye's space policy, focusing on its economic and political dimensions. The study commences with a brief historical overview of Turkiye's space program, highlighting its evolution and strategic milestones. It then addresses the economic implications of Turkish space policy, including potential benefits and challenges for the country's macroeconomic and microeconomic environment. Finally, the study examines the political power dimensions of Turkiye's space policy, encompassing national security, defense, and geopolitical implications.</div><div>Drawing on a range of sources, including government reports and academic articles, this research integrates the theoretical frameworks of Political Economy and International Relations to offer a multifaceted analysis. The findings indicate that, from an economic perspective, investment in the space program is expected to stimulate economic growth, create new industries and job opportunities, increase economic diversification, and lead to the development of human capital. The space program will spur technological advancements across various sectors, thereby enhancing efficiency and productivity. Furthermore, a successful space program will elevate the country's international prestige, attracting more investors, and expanding investment opportunities. From a political perspective, Turkiye is enhancing its launch capabilities and missile defense systems to bolster national security due to its geopolitical position. Turkiye's space policy is designed to position the country as a leading space power in the Middle East and beyond, thereby strengthening its strategic and diplomatic stance globally.</div><div>This study provides critical policy recommendations to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of Turkiye's space endeavors, emphasizing the importance of foundational investments in education, research, and international collaborations. The insights gained from this interdisciplinary approach are invaluable to policymakers and scholars, offering a holistic understanding of the economic and political ramifications of national space programs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":45924,"journal":{"name":"Space Policy","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 101664"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144243150","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) services have become the backbone to nearly all facets of modern life. Any disruption of space-based PNT services, whether intentional or accidental, could have dramatic consequences for national security, public safety and economic prosperity. In consequence, states owning, operating or merely using Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), and there regional counterparts, have grown extremely concerned with the reliance of their infrastructure, and its ability to provide stable and trustworthy PNT signals. This viewpoint provides a summary to global approaches of the state's ‘ensurance’ of PNT system resilience. Clear themes are highlighted and discussed, suggesting pathways forward to delivering a PNT infrastructure that can ensure the trust of governments and their users.
{"title":"Ensuring PNT resilience in a time of navigation uncertainty","authors":"Joshua J.R. Critchley-Marrows , Quentin Verspieren","doi":"10.1016/j.spacepol.2024.101665","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.spacepol.2024.101665","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) services have become the backbone to nearly all facets of modern life. Any disruption of space-based PNT services, whether intentional or accidental, could have dramatic consequences for national security, public safety and economic prosperity. In consequence, states owning, operating or merely using Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), and there regional counterparts, have grown extremely concerned with the reliance of their infrastructure, and its ability to provide stable and trustworthy PNT signals. This viewpoint provides a summary to global approaches of the state's ‘ensurance’ of PNT system resilience. Clear themes are highlighted and discussed, suggesting pathways forward to delivering a PNT infrastructure that can ensure the trust of governments and their users.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":45924,"journal":{"name":"Space Policy","volume":"72 ","pages":"Article 101665"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144243154","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-01DOI: 10.1016/j.spacepol.2024.101625
Jinyuan Su , Jinxuan Li
The protection of outer space heritage is a collective interest of all humankind and should be carried out under an international legal framework guided by the principles of due regard, non-appropriation of outer space, and due respect for the jurisdiction, control, and ownership of space objects. For institutional elements of such a framework, this article proposes a dichotomous classification of outer space heritage—that is, cultural heritage and natural heritage, with cultural heritage categorized into outer space heritage sites and outer space artifacts. This article also proposes two types of protected areas: in situ protected zones for outer space heritage sites, and designated preservation zones for outer space artifacts. Both types of protected areas should be of reasonable size and exclusive in nature. The protection of outer space heritage should form an integral part of the future international legal framework of space resource activities.
{"title":"Toward an international legal framework for the protection of outer space heritage","authors":"Jinyuan Su , Jinxuan Li","doi":"10.1016/j.spacepol.2024.101625","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.spacepol.2024.101625","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The protection of outer space heritage is a collective interest of all humankind and should be carried out under an international legal framework guided by the principles of due regard, non-appropriation of outer space, and due respect for the jurisdiction, control, and ownership of space objects. For institutional elements of such a framework, this article proposes a dichotomous classification of outer space heritage—that is, cultural heritage and natural heritage, with cultural heritage categorized into outer space heritage sites and outer space artifacts. This article also proposes two types of protected areas: in situ protected zones for outer space heritage sites, and designated preservation zones for outer space artifacts. Both types of protected areas should be of reasonable size and exclusive in nature. The protection of outer space heritage should form an integral part of the future international legal framework of space resource activities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":45924,"journal":{"name":"Space Policy","volume":"71 ","pages":"Article 101625"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143600678","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-01DOI: 10.1016/j.spacepol.2024.101663
Ben McKeown , Andrew G. Dempster , Serkan Saydam , Jeff Coulton
This article investigates the use of a bespoke fund, the Space Resources Fund (SRF), to facilitate monetary benefit sharing from commercial space resource utilisation (SRU) and at the same time provide a source of funding for a developing space resource industry. The study investigates the possible objectives such a fund could have and compares these to range of terrestrial fund types that could have similar objectives. We find that there is no one fund type that could meet the possible objectives for a SRF, however, by combining several fund types, it is possible to construct a dedicated fund that meets the objectives initially developed. The study proposes a fund with the Double Bottom Line of both generating monetary benefits from commercial SRU and providing investment capital to an industry targeting SRU. The study also proposes a possible strategy, structure, funding mechanism and benefit distribution mechanism for the SRF and undertakes high level financial modelling to illustrate the wealth creation potential of such a fund. Further, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the approach proposed in this study compared to the use of a royalty mechanism for monetary benefit sharing, should monetary benefit sharing ultimately be proposed, by the UN Committee On the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) for example. This work builds on previous work that reviews the ongoing debate concerning benefit sharing from commercial SRU and explores the use of royalties for such monetary benefit sharing in the context of commercial lunar ice mining. We conclude that a SRF as proposed here could help resolve the long standing dilemma of how to facilitate monetary benefit sharing from commercial SRU without impacting the development of such an industry.
{"title":"The space resources fund: A solution to the space resources benefit sharing dilemma?","authors":"Ben McKeown , Andrew G. Dempster , Serkan Saydam , Jeff Coulton","doi":"10.1016/j.spacepol.2024.101663","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.spacepol.2024.101663","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This article investigates the use of a bespoke fund, the Space Resources Fund (SRF), to facilitate monetary benefit sharing from commercial space resource utilisation (SRU) and at the same time provide a source of funding for a developing space resource industry. The study investigates the possible objectives such a fund could have and compares these to range of terrestrial fund types that could have similar objectives. We find that there is no one fund type that could meet the possible objectives for a SRF, however, by combining several fund types, it is possible to construct a dedicated fund that meets the objectives initially developed. The study proposes a fund with the Double Bottom Line of both generating monetary benefits from commercial SRU and providing investment capital to an industry targeting SRU. The study also proposes a possible strategy, structure, funding mechanism and benefit distribution mechanism for the SRF and undertakes high level financial modelling to illustrate the wealth creation potential of such a fund. Further, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the approach proposed in this study compared to the use of a royalty mechanism for monetary benefit sharing, should monetary benefit sharing ultimately be proposed, by the UN Committee On the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) for example. This work builds on previous work that reviews the ongoing debate concerning benefit sharing from commercial SRU and explores the use of royalties for such monetary benefit sharing in the context of commercial lunar ice mining. We conclude that a SRF as proposed here could help resolve the long standing dilemma of how to facilitate monetary benefit sharing from commercial SRU without impacting the development of such an industry.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":45924,"journal":{"name":"Space Policy","volume":"71 ","pages":"Article 101663"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143600679","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-01DOI: 10.1016/j.spacepol.2024.101651
Clive Kerr
For supporting strategic planning and communication amongst stakeholders, roadmapping is a widespread practice across many industries. However, there is a notable gap in acknowledging and appreciating the pioneering roadmap visualizations published by NASA. This paper will address this gap by presenting and critiquing a curated collection of 10 exemplar visualizations, each representing a distinctive design form. Despite potential aesthetic limitations, these examples offer themselves as convenient and useful templates for other organizations seeking to develop their own roadmaps. By deconstructing these formats and emphasizing their unique features, this paper aims to broaden the adoption and adaptation of these foundational visual schemes, while recognizing NASA's contributions to the practice of roadmapping.
{"title":"Planning space exploration: Appraising and appreciating a curated collection of NASA's roadmap visualizations","authors":"Clive Kerr","doi":"10.1016/j.spacepol.2024.101651","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.spacepol.2024.101651","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>For supporting strategic planning and communication amongst stakeholders, roadmapping is a widespread practice across many industries. However, there is a notable gap in acknowledging and appreciating the pioneering roadmap visualizations published by NASA. This paper will address this gap by presenting and critiquing a curated collection of 10 exemplar visualizations, each representing a distinctive design form. Despite potential aesthetic limitations, these examples offer themselves as convenient and useful templates for other organizations seeking to develop their own roadmaps. By deconstructing these formats and emphasizing their unique features, this paper aims to broaden the adoption and adaptation of these foundational visual schemes, while recognizing NASA's contributions to the practice of roadmapping.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":45924,"journal":{"name":"Space Policy","volume":"71 ","pages":"Article 101651"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143600675","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-01DOI: 10.1016/j.spacepol.2024.101635
Adam P. Wilmer , Robert A. Bettinger , Liberty M. Shockley , Marcus J. Holzinger
The world is in the midst of what is widely considered the second Space Age due to the vastly growing commercial space sector and progress with international initiatives such as the Artemis program, led by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Cislunar space is becoming a region of growing interest as nations, international organizations, and private corporations look to expand their presence and outreach. The planned development of space infrastructure, such as lunar habitats, mining operations, and other installations, is driving the need for studies regarding common orbital pathways to ensure logistical support for future cislunar missions. Along with common orbital pathways, comprehensive and internationally acknowledged space policy and doctrine is required to ensure the safety, stability, and peace of this new frontier of human endeavor. This study serves to address one of the mission sets that will come to shape the emerging economy of the wider Earth-Moon system, space logistics. Specifically, this study will discuss potential orbits for a cislunar space situational awareness network that would support a space traffic management service, along with three cislunar logistics missions: personnel and cargo transport, space tourism, and search and rescue. Characteristics considered for orbits include orbit stability, period, and the proximity to key nodes in cislunar space such as the Moon and Lagrange points. Using Circular Restricted Three-Body Problem (CR3BP) dynamics, fourteen sample cislunar periodic orbits are proposed to accomplish the cislunar missions discussed. This study adds to the limited work in the field of cislunar orbital design to generate novel orbits and apply them to logistical use cases. All missions, except tourism, feature a “touring” class of cislunar periodic orbits due to their unique geometries enabling them to traverse a wide range of cislunar space. Preliminary analysis indicates that all of the proposed orbits are classified as marginally unstable, and suggests that minimal propellant is required to maintain a space vehicle's intended cislunar trajectory. Finally, existing law, policy, and governance surrounding cislunar space logistics and operations is discussed specifically concerning space traffic management, transportation, and humans touring or being rescued from space. Special attention is given to both the ambiguity of the law and the limitations of current norms of behavior, patent and property concerns, and tense geopolitical situations that can further complicate peace. Overall, this study highlights the underdevelopment of current space law and policy with the ambiguity of present-day norms discussed.
{"title":"Preliminary investigation and proposal of periodic orbits and their utilization for logistics in the cislunar regime","authors":"Adam P. Wilmer , Robert A. Bettinger , Liberty M. Shockley , Marcus J. Holzinger","doi":"10.1016/j.spacepol.2024.101635","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.spacepol.2024.101635","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><span><span>The world is in the midst of what is widely considered the second Space Age due to the vastly growing commercial space sector and progress with international initiatives such as the Artemis program, led by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Cislunar space is becoming a region of growing interest as nations, international organizations, and private corporations look to expand their presence and outreach. The planned development of space infrastructure, such as lunar habitats, mining operations, and other installations, is driving the need for studies regarding common orbital pathways to ensure logistical support for future cislunar missions. Along with common orbital pathways, comprehensive and internationally acknowledged space policy and doctrine is required to ensure the safety, stability, and peace of this new frontier of human endeavor. This study serves to address one of the mission sets that will come to shape the emerging economy of the wider Earth-Moon system, space logistics. Specifically, this study will discuss potential orbits for a cislunar space </span>situational awareness<span><span> network that would support a space traffic management service, along with three cislunar logistics missions: personnel and cargo transport, space tourism, and </span>search and rescue. Characteristics considered for orbits include orbit stability, period, and the proximity to key nodes in cislunar space such as the Moon and </span></span>Lagrange points<span>. Using Circular Restricted Three-Body Problem (CR3BP) dynamics, fourteen sample cislunar periodic orbits<span> are proposed to accomplish the cislunar missions discussed. This study adds to the limited work in the field of cislunar orbital design to generate novel orbits and apply them to logistical use cases. All missions, except tourism, feature a “touring” class of cislunar periodic orbits due to their unique geometries enabling them to traverse a wide range of cislunar space. Preliminary analysis indicates that all of the proposed orbits are classified as marginally unstable, and suggests that minimal propellant is required to maintain a space vehicle's intended cislunar trajectory. Finally, existing law, policy, and governance surrounding cislunar space logistics and operations is discussed specifically concerning space traffic management, transportation, and humans touring or being rescued from space. Special attention is given to both the ambiguity of the law and the limitations of current norms of behavior, patent and property concerns, and tense geopolitical situations that can further complicate peace. Overall, this study highlights the underdevelopment of current space law and policy with the ambiguity of present-day norms discussed.</span></span></div></div>","PeriodicalId":45924,"journal":{"name":"Space Policy","volume":"71 ","pages":"Article 101635"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141276591","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-02-01DOI: 10.1016/j.spacepol.2024.101655
Sonia Ruth Rincón Urbina , Juan Manuel Cárdenas García , Karen Nicole Pirazan Villanueva , Virginia Hanessian
This article comprehensively overviews the Colombian Air Force's (FAC) space program, analyzing its policy frameworks, competitive edge, growth prospects, and research endeavors. It delves into the historical roots of the program, assesses its global standing, and details the research conducted by the Aerospace Force. The article also highlights the crucial role of the Aerospace Technologies Research Center (CITAE) in the organizational structure of the FAC. Furthermore, it examines the integration of CubeSats, encryption algorithms, and mission control software within FAC's pioneering space programs. Key milestones such as the launch of the SAT-CHIRIBIQUETE satellite, the development of AI-powered satellite image processing, and the deployment of FACSAT-1 showcase the program's remarkable progress. Additionally, the article explores the program's potential impact on environmental monitoring, resource management, and national communication networks, illustrating its broader contribution to Colombia's social, political, and economic spheres. In conclusion, this comprehensive analysis reveals how FAC's space program has transformed from an aspirational vision into a vanguard force poised to propel Colombia onto the global space stage.
{"title":"Advancements of the Colombian Air Force space program","authors":"Sonia Ruth Rincón Urbina , Juan Manuel Cárdenas García , Karen Nicole Pirazan Villanueva , Virginia Hanessian","doi":"10.1016/j.spacepol.2024.101655","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.spacepol.2024.101655","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This article comprehensively overviews the Colombian Air Force's (FAC) space program, analyzing its policy frameworks, competitive edge, growth prospects, and research endeavors. It delves into the historical roots of the program, assesses its global standing, and details the research conducted by the Aerospace Force. The article also highlights the crucial role of the Aerospace Technologies Research Center (CITAE) in the organizational structure of the FAC. Furthermore, it examines the integration of CubeSats, encryption algorithms, and mission control software within FAC's pioneering space programs. Key milestones such as the launch of the SAT-CHIRIBIQUETE satellite, the development of AI-powered satellite image processing, and the deployment of FACSAT-1 showcase the program's remarkable progress. Additionally, the article explores the program's potential impact on environmental monitoring, resource management, and national communication networks, illustrating its broader contribution to Colombia's social, political, and economic spheres. In conclusion, this comprehensive analysis reveals how FAC's space program has transformed from an aspirational vision into a vanguard force poised to propel Colombia onto the global space stage.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":45924,"journal":{"name":"Space Policy","volume":"71 ","pages":"Article 101655"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143600676","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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