Pascale Ehrenfreund is the President of the Committee of Space Research (COSPAR) and Research Professor of Space Policy and International Affairs in Washington DC. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Space Foundation and as Member of the Global Future Council on Space of the World Economic Forum.
For three decades she contributed scientifically to missions of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The asteroid “9826 Ehrenfreund 2114 T-3” bears her name.
Why is space exploration important, and how does the knowledge we gain from it benefit society and the planet?
Pascale Ehrenfreund: I think space exploration is quite important for several compelling reasons. One of these is, of course, scientific discovery. We want to understand our universe. We aim to understand how our solar system formed. We also seek to find out why we are on this planet Earth, what our future holds, and if there is life beyond Earth.
Additionally, we study the Earth from space using many satellites. Currently, there are many satellites in orbit, which give us a comprehensive view of our Earth, covering climate, oceans, land, and natural disasters. This helps us in protecting our environment.
The second is technological innovation. Many new technologies are being developed for space exploration, such as advanced robotics and materials, as well as improvements in satellite communications and navigation. These innovations also find their way into everyday applications. The space industry supports economic growth and is closely linked to other economic sectors such as telecommunication, transport, security and data science, to name only a few. The space sector also creates high-skilled jobs.
We should also not forget that space missions venturing into the solar system not only captivate the public but also motivate the young generation to pursue careers in STEM fields. Currently, we have an insufficient number of people in these disciplines. This is quite a crucial issue worldwide. Exploring space has never seen as many missions as today, contributing not only to scientific advancement but also to the long-term survival of humanity.
In summary, space exploration leads to new discoveries, technology innovation, economic growth, and strengthens international cooperation, of course.
What are the most significant long-term environmental impacts of expanded space activity that we must proactively address, particularly with the emergence of an off-world economy?
Pascale Ehrenfreund: There has been a significant expansion of space activities in the last decades. New actors and numerous commercial entities are getting increasingly involved in the space sector. We now count over 80 space agencies or offices worldwide. Even smaller countries are emerging in the space sector as they wish to reap the benefits. Despite the benefits of these space activities, they also carry substantial long-term environmental impacts.
Orbital debris is a frequent topic of discussion, with primary concerns focused on Earth’s orbit – especially the risk of the Kessler effect and its potential consequences. Currently, over 12, 000 satellites are in orbit, and the aim is to prevent cluttering Earth’s orbits, avoid cascading collisions and work towards sustainable solutions. When considering activities beyond low Earth orbit, environmental stewardship of celestial bodies requires a long-term sustainability plan.
One area that has long been studied and effectively regulated is planetary protection – aimed at preventing biological contamination of other celestial bodies (forward contamination) and protecting Earth (backward contamination) through the COSPAR Policy on Planetary Protection and associated guidelines as an international standard to guide compliance with the Outer Space Treaty of 1967.
However, future resource exploitation, such as mining asteroids, surface operations on the Moon, or eventually Mars, could cause irreversible environmental changes and lead to conflicts between space actors. Therefore, we require international legal frameworks for these activities.
The number of launches is increasing; last year, there were over 250 rocket launches. The increasing frequency of rocket launches releases pollutants into the atmosphere, which may also have adverse effects on Earth’s climate and environment.
Alongside the increase in space activities, there is also a rise in light pollution and radio frequency interference, disrupting scientific observations.
In summary, the long-term environmental impacts of expanding space activities have to be assessed, and it is crucial that we act proactively. We need global cooperation on regulations to ensure that space remains a shared and viable domain.
How can we guarantee genuine international cooperation for fair and sustainable space practices?
Pascale Ehrenfreund: This is a competitive landscape. Without coordinated global cooperation, the space race could become very intense, possibly leading to militarisation. The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 lacks enforceable mechanisms or regulations for the private sector. Its language is vague, especially regarding deep space exploration and resource exploitation. Currently, there are no binding regulations on lunar and asteroid mining, which could lead to conflicts and environmental harm.
It’s also crucial to consider the involvement of over 80 space nations and emerging countries eager to participate in numerous space endeavors. Overall, international cooperation is essential, and we need to develop effective, coordinated regulatory frameworks.
While I’m not a lawyer, I can say that significant progress must be made in establishing these mechanisms. We must promote the development of regulatory frameworks to support effective governance of space. This remains a complex challenge, as no comprehensive system or governing body currently exists to oversee these efforts.
That said, I would like to highlight the essential role of space research in all space activities, as it remains one of the most effective avenues for international cooperation. As science advances rapidly, the latest scientific findings must be promptly integrated into policies and regulations to ensure timely and effective decision-making. Multiple space stakeholders need to collaborate in developing these new frameworks and agree on solutions for the rapidly evolving space sector.
What fundamental ethical and regulatory principles are essential to ensure these activities benefit all of humanity rather than a select few?
Pascale Ehrenfreund: I want to emphasise that international cooperation is not merely aspirational; it is essential. All frameworks and sustainable practices rely on collaboration. Your question about regulatory principles raises an important idea: the concept of sustainability in space. While the term isn’t new to us, it is relatively recent in the context of deep space exploration, ensuring sustainable activities on celestial environments, including planets, and moons and their orbits.
This also includes preventing space debris, protecting planetary ecosystems, and reducing the ecological footprint of missions. Moreover, all space activities should be peaceful, free from weapons and conflict, a goal supported by the Outer Space Treaty (1967), which promotes peace and cooperation. Transparency and accountability are vital; whether actors are public or private, they should disclose their activities, share data when appropriate, and follow international norms.
An essential point is intergenerational responsibility. We have an intergenerational responsibility, as all the decisions being made now will impact future generations. A forward-looking perspective is thus crucial for space exploration, resource management, and governance, as future generations will need to carry these efforts forward to safeguard both our planet and outer space.
How can specialised space education programs best prepare future generations to navigate these challenges?
Pascale Ehrenfreund: I believe this is a very important topic, especially given my background in academia and my role as former president of the International Space University (ISU). ISU has developed programs from the start that focus on the three I’s: interdisciplinarity, intercultural understanding, and international collaboration. We need to prepare the future space generation for the complex environmental and political challenges in the space sector.
Space education must extend beyond engineering and science to encompass disciplines including space law, policy, ethics, planetary protection, and international relations, all combined with technical training. These topics have been covered in Master programs and short courses at ISU for nearly 40 years.
The new generation is very receptive to interdisciplinary topics, often pursuing several Master’s degrees, gaining industry experience, and showing greater flexibility. Young professionals are highly engaged in and motivated by sustainability challenges, as evidenced by activities of the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), which actively promotes projects focused on space sustainability.
It’s crucial for us to foster critical thinking, transparency, and to prepare future space professionals to act as stewards and diplomats, guiding humanity’s expansion beyond Earth with foresight and fairness.
How do you envision the evolution of international space law to address commercial activities, such as resource extraction, specifically? What’s the EU’s role in this?
Pascale Ehrenfreund: The EU’s role in space primarily focuses on navigation, telecommunication, Earth observations, security, and defence, rather than deep space exploration like Moon or Mars missions. However, the EU can take a proactive approach by balancing the interests of different stakeholders, fostering space entrepreneurship through initiatives like the CASSINI Initiative, while upholding ethical and environmental responsibilities, and setting international standards.
The upcoming European Space Act outlines a harmonised framework for space activities across the European Union. The EU’s diplomatic strength lies in uniting stakeholders, investing in international monitoring, research, and regulatory frameworks, especially for space debris, and advocating principles like transparency and sustainability.
Beyond space law, the EU is committed to sustainability through initiatives like the Green Deal, Earth observation programs with free data access, and promoting industry-led sustainability efforts. These strengths position the EU well to play a leading role in shaping the future of space governance, both through legal frameworks and strategic coalitions, by promoting global values of responsible space activity.
Finally, if you could express a wish for the future of space sustainability and humanity’s engagement with the cosmic environment, what would it be?
Pascale Ehrenfreund: I believe the future of space sustainability looks promising because it is being discussed at many conferences and forums. Additionally, there are many organisations and the United Nations that are heavily involved in space sustainability. In 2019, UNCOPUOS adopted the Guidelines for the Long-term sustainability of Outer Space Activities addressing policy, safety, cooperation, and research. However, what is important is that the future of space sustainability is not just a technical or legal challenge. It is also at a turning point, reflecting how we view our universe and our future.
This means it’s not only about cleaning up debris and regulating orbit operations; it involves integrating sustainable practices throughout the space mission lifecycle, from design and launch to operation and end-of-life disposal. International cooperation remains essential, as does inspiring and educating young people. We can only manage sustainable space activities together, within a multi-stakeholder framework. And society must be part of this process.
Given the rapid developments in space, a new mindset is needed. With over 150 missions to the Moon planned until now and 2034 and the expansion of satellite constellations, society needs to engage with these advancements. Informing and involving citizens in space activities, particularly through citizen science initiatives, is vital to ensuring responsible progress in the space sector.