Combat space debris

Earth-Space Sustainability is a research initiative founded in December 2020 aimed at using social science knowledge to tackle the dual-challenge of (1) outer space sustainability and (2) attaining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through new space based infrastructures. In so doing, Earth-Space sustainability calls for a paradigmatic shift towards the notion of a sustainable Earth-Space relationship.

The idea of outer space sustainability has often been perceived as 'distant' to immediate challenges on Earth, such as climate emergencies. In the New Space age, the outer space environment will increasingly influence sustainability on Earth in ways beyond what most of us have realized. We are now witnessing the dawn of an era in which the sustainability of Earth and Space environments become more intertwined than ever.

Social sciences have spent decades of research on tackling Earth's sustainability challenges. Extending what we have learned so far into the space realm will better prepare us for the new kinds of challenges outer space might bring. An integrative perspective of Earth-Space Sustainability could in turn inform us on new ways of managing the vulnerable planet we live on.

Earth-Space Sustainability aims to use evidence-based social science research to inform forward-looking policy scenarios. Informed by research on sustainability transitions, innovation systems, development economics, socio-ecological and Earth System governance, we use in-depth qualitative and quantitative methodologies to analyze complex Earth-Space sustainability challenges. Our research deals with upcoming challenges in the following three domains:

Earth-Space Sustainability currently focuses on the following areas concerning Earth-Space sustainability: peaceful use of outer space, inclusive and sustainable Earth-Space economy, and the attainment of SDGs through space based infrastructures. With that, Earth-Space Sustainability asks the following questions and seeks informed answers to help tackle these emerging challenges:

Understanding the satellite value chain

The satellite sector is booming and even more so in the coming decade. To ensure an
inclusive and sustainable use of space, we ask questions like Who own those satellites? Who built those satellites? Who launched the satellites into Earth’s orbit? Which orbit? Who have access to the satellite data?

Events

(Upcoming) 2 - 4 November 2022

Commons in Space conference, The International Association for the Study of the Commons (IASC)

1 - 3 June 2022

Conference session track at Eu-SPRI 2022, Utrecht University with Douglas Robinson ‘The space sector in transformation: new challenges for policy and governance at the nexus of space, commercialisation, and sustainable development’.

March 2022

Interdisciplinary workshop on ‘SDG 18 for Space’ with Andreas Losch and Andre Galli

December 2021

Presentation at Ostrom Workshop Space Governance Working Group, Indiana University. Xiao-Shan Yap: ‘Earth-Space Sustainability’.

November 2021

Presentation at special session Technological Dimension of Arctic Governance at the North Pacific Arctic Conference, organized by Oran Young. Xiao-Shan Yap: ‘Opportunities and challenges of Space-based infrastructures for Arctic governance: a Technological Innovation System analysis’.

April 2021

Interdisciplinary workshop on ‘Planetary Sustainability’ with Andreas Losch and Andre Galli.

December 2020

Invited presentation at Space for Women Show. Xiao-Shan Yap: ‘Earth-Space Sustainability: an environmental social science perspective’.

Research Network

Earth-Space Sustainability is active in internationally leading scientific networks through the organization of conferences, session tracks, dialogue sessions, and seminars. The scientific networks listed below provide solid grounds for our research initiative to expand, build bridges, and advance. 

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