A Multi-Planet Species: Ethical and Environmental Impacts of Privatized Space Travel

Natalie Pierson ()
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Natalie Pierson: The New School, United States

RAIS Conference Proceedings 2021 from Research Association for Interdisciplinary Studies

Abstract: This paper examines private exploration and colonization of space, inspired by the growing interest and advancements in developing space by private industries, notably SpaceX. Marx’s theory of primitive accumulation and David Harvey’s theory of “spatial fix†provide a framework from which to understand why billionaires are attracted to the business of space. Matters of legality are considered in the regulation of space including treaties, their applications, and the unforeseen gaps in the law left by unanticipated private sector growth. Economic feasibility is discussed through cost and revenue estimates of possible marketable products. Environmental impacts, both on Mars and Earth, are reviewed regarding physical landscape and biological contamination. Finally, it explores the ethics of a developing colony in a stressful environment and seeks to unpack the term colonization in a celestial setting. This paper concludes that bringing capitalist ideals and methods into space is not a solution for problems created by capitalism on Earth. Given the concerns identified, it may well exacerbate them.

Keywords: Mars; space; colonization; primitive accumulation; private industry (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 6 pages
Date: 2021-08
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-env, nep-his, nep-hme and nep-pke
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

Published in Proceedings of the 23rd International RAIS Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities, August 15-16, 2021, pages 71-76

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:smo:lpaper:0091

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