Combat space debris
today
What we do
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.
Objective
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:
Developing an Earth-Space paradigm
earth-space
What is beyond Anthropocentrism?
Extending planetary boundaries to outer space
Shaping a sustainable relationship
sustainability
Peaceful use of outer space
Inclusive Earth-Space economy
Deploying space technologies to attain SDGs
governance
Contributing to an emerging Earth-Space governance framework
Integrating social science research
Deriving strategic actionable policy insights
Research on Earth-Space Sustainability
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:
Relevant Publications
Contouring 'earth-space sustainability'
Yap, X.-S., & Truffer, B. (2022). Contouring 'earth-space sustainability'.Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 44, 185-193. Read more
The emerging global socio-technical regimes for tackling space debris: A discourse network analysis
Yap, X.-S., Heiberg, J., & Truffer, B. (2023). The emerging global socio-technical regimes for tackling space debris: A discourse network analysis. Acta Astronautica. Read more
Towards earth-space governance in a multi-planetary era
Yap, X.-S. & Kim, R. E. (2023). Towards earth-space governance in a multi-planetary era. Earth System Governance, 16, 100173 Read more
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
21 October 2022
March 2022
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
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.
